Elena blinked away her tears, suppressing the bitter ache, and headed toward the Medical Records Office. With her position at Memorial Hospital, it was easy to pull her mother’s old case file. She barely had to search before spotting the organ donation agreement tucked inside.
Her lashes trembled as she scanned down to the signature at the bottom.
The bold, slanted strokes spelled out a name.
Adrian Shaw.
He had severed her last shred of hope.
She drifted out of the records office like a ghost.
Around her, staff bustled through the halls. Two nurses chatting nearby caught her ear:
“Did you see? Mr. Shaw dotes on Miss Cole like she’s made of glass.”
“Unbelievable. She just had a stomachache and he dragged the hospital director himself to her bedside, threatening to replace him if she wasn’t treated properly.”
“And last time, when she twisted her ankle? He carried her in his arms the whole time, wouldn’t even let her walk.”
“That’s nothing. Word is, he handed her a billion-dollar project just to win her smile. And those tens of millions in jewels—he gave them away like candy.”
Their envy-laced chatter pierced Elena’s chest, tearing her apart inside, until she suddenly heard Adrian’s voice.
“How’s this? Does that feel better?”
She froze, turning stiffly toward the sound.
Through the glass, she saw Adrian by Vivian’s bedside, fussing over her—adjusting pillows, rubbing her stomach gently.
Vivian wore a hospital gown, her face bare, brows lowered in a picture of delicate innocence. “Much better,” she murmured softly. “Sorry to trouble you again.”
Adrian frowned. “If you don’t trouble me, then who else would you trouble?” His voice hardened. “Where’s Lucas? Why isn’t he here when you’re sick? Is he treating you badly?”
Vivian smiled faintly. “Lucas takes good care of me. No matter where he is, he calls morning and night when he’s away on business. When I said I wasn’t ready for children, he blamed himself.”
Her smile was sweet, but as she spoke, her gaze flicked casually toward the doorway. “Adrian, don’t give me any more projects or gifts. I’m afraid Elena will be upset.”
“Whether she’s upset or not doesn’t matter.”
Adrian’s tone was sharp, his back rigid with anger as he stood. “I’ll grab breakfast for you. Rest.”
Instinctively, Elena stepped aside, hiding as he strode past.
Her mind throbbed, swelling as if it would burst. The truth hit her like a blow she hadn’t braced for.
“Well? Satisfied with what you saw today?”
The mocking voice came from behind her. Elena turned—and found Vivian standing at the doorway, having slipped out of her room. She looked triumphant.
“Lucas Bennett or Adrian Shaw—doesn’t matter. They both love me. Elena, after all our years of rivalry, you still lost.”
Before the Carter family’s downfall, Elena and Vivian had been bitter enemies for over a decade. From childhood fights over dresses and handbags, to adult battles over contracts and jewels—Elena always had her parents’ support, and she often won.
But once the Carters collapsed, Vivian had stolen Lucas. And now, Adrian.
Elena said nothing, only stared at Vivian’s chest. Was the heart beating inside there her mother’s?
Her vision burned. She swallowed the urge to scream and sneered coldly instead. “You’re jealous of me, aren’t you?”
Vivian laughed. “In broad daylight, you’re dreaming? Jealous of you? Of what—your dead parents, your husband who’s my lapdog?”
“Really?” Elena’s tone was icy. “Then why, all your life, have you been trying to take what’s mine? First the dresses and jewelry I didn’t want. Now, the men I don’t want. You scavenge my scraps and still dare to flaunt it.”
“You say Lucas loves you? Loves you so much he lets you sell your body to advance him? Isn’t that pathetic?”
“Elena Carter!” Vivian trembled with fury. No matter how many years passed, she could never beat Elena’s sharp tongue.
But then, a sinister smile curved her lips. “Fine. Then let’s see who the real pathetic one is.”
With that, Vivian suddenly threw herself backward.
Her head struck the edge of the nightstand, blood immediately spilling down her forehead.
Before Elena could react, Adrian’s desperate shout rang out behind her.
“Vivian!”
