The Cancer I Chose

Nuri Symone St. James
I never thought I’d see the day my own brother became my enemy. After losing our parents nearly a decade ago, I thought we’d always protect each other because he was all I had left. I was wrong. His reckless choices burned through his inheritance, and now he wants mine—including the one place where I can still feel my parents’ presence: our family estate. The worst part? He’s willing to do anything to settle his debts. Even marry me off to a silver-haired devil who sees me as property. My only way out? Marry a man I barely know. He doesn’t talk much and stares at me like he sees through every layer I try to hide behind, but in the rare moments when he does speak… I listen. And somehow, against all logic, I believe him when he says he’ll protect me with his life.

Sekai “Kai” Walker
I don’t talk much. Never have. People call me deaf, dumb, slow—but that’s only because they don’t know my story. Now? My music speaks for me. And people pay to hear every word. When I found Nuri Symone in that alley—drugged, terrified, betrayed—I saw a girl with fear in her eyes I knew too well. The kind that still haunts me from when I was four and left to rot in trap houses. I gave her my last name temporarily to protect her. Not for her money. Not for her legacy. Not even for her beauty, but because she was all alone, and no one should feel that kind of fear with no one to save them. Not if I can help it. For Nuri Symone, I’m willing to risk it all. Black bandana over my mouth. Draco in my hand. Vows sealed with an “R” over my heart—our silent promise to protect what’s ours, no matter the cost. Because the only thing that feels real these days… is my fake marriage. Now, I’ll take on the whole da*n city if I have to.
For The Cancer I Chose.