After her rebirth

Maximilian sat up straight, and from behind, all he could see was Katniss's thin, frail back peeking out from under the blanket.

He pulled out a cigarette, didn't light it, just fiddled with it between his fingers. After a moment, he said, "Go ahead."

Then, he rolled his wheelchair a bit closer, getting right up next to her.

Katniss's eyelashes fluttered, misty with tears, like a brush sweeping across his heart.

Her sad look was truly heart-wrenching.

"Can you marry me?" Katniss's voice was dry and raspy.

She knew how crazy it sounded, but she was out of options.

Her body ached, making her voice low and weak, but every word hit him clearly.

"Do you know what you're saying?" Maximilian asked, his voice deep.

Katniss had always been a bit scared of Maximilian. Now, with night falling and the room still dark, his face was hidden in the shadows, and she couldn't see his expression. But a surge of courage made her fearless.

She endured the pain and tried to prop herself up a bit, "I know, I've thought about it for a long time."

Her pale face softened Maximilian's heart. He reached out, covered her forehead, and gently pushed her back down, "What's wrong with you? Lie down and talk properly."

Katniss obeyed, then quickly said, "If you marry me, I won't let you suffer any loss. I won't charge you for treating your legs."

Maximilian's expression didn't change.

Katniss licked her dry lips and continued, "Since you're here, you should know a bit. I've completely fallen out with the Manners family. I want to cut ties with them, but my dad won't agree. The only way is if I get married." She just needed someone to help her escape Oliver and the Manners family's control.

After much thought, among the people she knew, the only one who could stand up to the Manners family was Maximilian.

If Maximilian agreed to marry her, Oliver wouldn't just be unable to stop it; he'd probably be eager for them to get married immediately.

Katniss bit her lip and added, "Don't worry, I won't take your money. We can do a prenuptial agreement, and after a few years, I'll leave with nothing."

"If I choose to give it to you, I will. If I don't, you won't get a penny. Simple as that," Maximilian said calmly but with a hint of arrogance.

Katniss looked at him, trying hard to see his expression, "Maximilian, do you agree?"

Her only bargaining chip was Maximilian's legs, which she could heal.

She had medical technology that was years ahead of its time.

As long as Maximilian and the Hamilton and Boleyn families cared about it, Katniss believed she had a good chance of helping him walk again. Maximilian sighed softly, "Marriage, whether fake or real, it's a big decision for any woman. You need to think it through."

"I've thought it through!" Katniss sensed his hesitation and quickly expressed her sincerity, "Or, if you have any other demands, just tell me!"

She was so nervous that she didn't even feel the pain from her wounds. Her heart pounded as she awaited his response.

Maximilian put the cigarette back in the pack and smiled faintly, "I'll give you half a year to heal my legs. If you can do it, during the agreement period, you'll be my wife in name, and I'll provide whatever you need." Cutting ties with the Manners family was a piece of cake for Maximilian, just a matter of his will.

But he didn't bring it up. Like he once told Felix, he thrived in the darkness, surrounded by bones, and he had a habit of making deals.

A businessman never gives anything for free.

If the price was right, Maximilian might consider it.

And Katniss was offering enough.

Katniss relaxed, a smile spreading across her face, "Maximilian, thank you. I'll do my best to heal your legs."

Maximilian responded lightly, "As long as you won't regret it."

Katniss nodded slowly. She was certain this was the best decision she had made in both her lifetimes combined.

Maximilian said, "Then rest for now. I'll leave two people at the door. If you need anything, just tell them. I'll have Felix handle the transfer to another room."

"Why do I need to transfer rooms?" Katniss asked, confused.

Maximilian smiled, "This room isn't suitable for you now."

Soon, Katniss understood what Maximilian meant.

Her room was moved to the eighth floor, a VIP suite, much larger than the previous one, with a bigger bed.

There was a TV, a refrigerator, and even a small room for a caregiver.

On the bedside table, there was a bouquet of blooming roses.

Not knowing what was happening outside, there was some noise at the door. The nurse, afraid of disturbing Katniss, went to check.

After a while, she returned and said to Katniss, "Katniss, there's someone outside looking for you. He's tall and quite handsome."

Katniss had a pretty good idea who it was. She initially wanted to say she wouldn't see him, but then she thought, in the future, she and Desmond would be relatives, they would often see each other.

"Let him in," Katniss said.

The nurse opened the door, and Desmond rushed in, immediately seeing Katniss on the bed, her face even paler with a few more marks.

Katniss looked at the roses in the vase, the light casting a glow on her profile, her eyelashes thick and curled, giving her a fragile yet serene beauty.

It was hard for him to look away.

Katniss turned her head and calmly said, "I'm not feeling well. If you have something to say, make it quick."

Desmond was momentarily stunned, then he reacted, "I'm here to apologize. I didn't get your call at that time."

"The one who hit me was Laura. If you want to blame someone, blame her. It has nothing to do with you," Katniss interrupted him, then smiled, "Besides, I shouldn't have called you." That was in the past when she habitually put Desmond in the first spot.

After her rebirth, she had too many things to do and forgot to change that.

Just now, she had already changed the speed dial.

She shouldn't entrust her fate to others.

Desmond choked up, feeling a bit at a loss and frustrated facing Katniss who was so calm.

Katniss pulled up the blanket and lay back down, "You should go. I need to rest."

That was a clear dismissal.

For the first time being unwelcome, Desmond felt a bit angry. It was Maximilian who forced him to come, otherwise, he wouldn't have come to apologize.

Desmond didn't want to stay either. He turned to leave, but at the door, he squinted, "Are those my brother's people at the door?"