The Lucky WinnerChapter 1

Five years after I faked my death, I was dying of cancer.

I heard that Rocky Boyce, the cool and aloof heir of the Boyce fortune, was about to get engaged. The woman was someone he'd loved for many years. To celebrate, a company under Boyce Enterprises posted a giveaway: a random lucky winner would receive a million dollars.

After much hesitation, I quietly commented.

[Happy engagement. Wishing you happiness.]

An hour later.

As water overflowed from the bathtub, the phone rang.

"Congratulations! You've won!"

* * *

I didn't die.

That phone call saved me.

On the other end, the staff member was still cheerfully congratulating me. "You’re truly very lucky!"

Lucky…

Me?

I struggled to sit up in the bathtub. The cut on my wrist was a bit deep; the entire tub was stained a pale red.

"Please provide your bank details, and we'll transfer the prize money to you within a month. Additionally, you'll enjoy a year of discounts at all Boyce Enterprises establishments!"

I should have smiled. But when I spoke, my voice was terribly weak. "Thank you, but I probably won't need it…"

The other end of the line was silent for two seconds, then the woman cautiously asked, "Are you alright? Do you need any help?"

My brain, lightheaded from blood loss, felt dizzy. I pushed myself out of the tub, blood splattering on the floor.

"I’m sorry… Could you please call 911 for me?"

The ambulance arrived quickly. I had just returned from the hospital that morning and was back again that night. The doctor in charge, initially disapproving of my disregard for life, fell silent after pulling up my medical records.

"Miss Vance," she sighed. "I know you must be in a lot of pain right now, but… please, just hold on a little longer."

I stared at her blankly. Suddenly, I remembered someone else saying that to me once. But I was in such a bad place then, barely able to cope myself. In the end, I had chosen to flee.

My younger sister, Anna, rushed over. When she saw me in the hospital bed, her eyes instantly reddened.

"Sarah, are you trying to scare me to death?!"

Just that morning, when we’d parted, I had promised her I would diligently undergo treatment. Even though our family’s situation meant we couldn't afford the expensive medical bills. Anna’s parents had passed away in an earthquake five years ago. For years, we’d relied on each other, using our meager savings to open a flower shop, just barely making ends meet.

When she learned of my illness, Anna cried. Then she wiped away her tears and said she would apply for a leave of absence from college and find a part-time job to take care of me. But how could I burden her? She was so young; she should be enjoying her youth at college, not being dragged down by me.

"I’m sorry," I apologized to her. "I'm just so tired."

Anna cried again.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside the emergency room. It sounded like there had been a car accident somewhere, and the injured were being brought to this nearest hospital. A nurse came to inform me that my room was ready.

As I passed through the lobby, the news was playing on a large screen. Rocky Boyce, the Boyce heir, had spared no expense, set to hold his engagement party on a small island in the Caribbean in two months. In the interview, a reporter asked him why he chose that specific time and location.

The usually cool and taciturn man gave a rare, soft chuckle. "Because she likes it."

Because she likes it.

I pressed my lips together, remembering the phone call from a short while ago. The staff member’s voice had been lovely, and she had been very kind. When she realized I had cut my wrists, she’d briefly panicked before calling 911 for me. The phone hadn’t been hung up on the way to the hospital. She kept repeating in my ear, "Please don't die! If you die, what about the million dollars?"

"You're the luckiest person I've ever met; I'm sure you'll continue to be just as lucky!"

I had wanted to thank her, to say, "Your company is so generous." But then I remembered who her boss was, and the words caught in my throat.

An engagement party on a tropical island, a random giveaway of a million dollars…

Rocky Boyce, you really are as extravagant as ever.