Erika’s Pov
When I opened my eyes I was in the hospital again. My body felt heavy, every movement dragging against something deep and sore. My throat was dry, my lips cracked.
“Erika…”
I turned my head slowly.
Lina was staring at me. Her eyes were red, like she hadn’t slept.
“You’re awake,” she said, grabbing my hand tightly. “Do you know how long you’ve been out?”
I tried to speak. My voice came out weak and hoarse.
“…how long?”
“Two days.”
My fingers stilled.
Two days? I had to leave the following day.
“And Jacob?” I asked.
Lina’s expression changed.
“He didn’t come,” she said quietly.
The words didn’t hurt as much as I expected. Maybe because I already knew.
Lina’s grip tightened. “Why are you still with him, Erika? After everything? He isolated you from everyone. He made you cut me off. And you still—”
“I’ll be fine,” I said softly.
Lina nodded, but she didn't say another word. She gave me my phone instead.
“It’s been buzzing non-stop for two days. I don't think it's Jacob though,” she said.
I collected my phone and saw several worried text messages from my grandfather.
Where are you, Erika?
I'm worried about you.
I've arranged for you to leave tomorrow evening. If I don't hear back from you by nightfall I'll come myself.
I sent him a quick reply. ‘I’m fine, grandpa, just a slight hiccup. I need to round up things here today so I can leave tomorrow. See you soon.’
After sending the message and assuring Lina that I was fine and that she could go home, I traced the doctor’s office and went in.
He looked up, annoyed—until he saw me. His face was drained of color.
“You—”
I stepped inside and closed the door. Then I placed my phone on the table and started a video recording.
“My name is Erika Creighton,” I said calmly. “Heiress to the Creighton Empire.”
His lips trembled.
“I’ll give you one chance,” I continued. “Tell me the truth.”
“I… I don’t know what—”
“You don’t want me as your enemy,” I warned.
His hands started shaking.
“I’ll destroy everything you have,” I added quietly. “Your license. Your career. Your family won’t be safe from what comes after.”
“I’ll talk!” he said quickly.
“Say it.”
His voice shook.
“Lily’s child… didn’t need the transplant.”
My breathing stopped.
“What?”
“Her son was fine,” he stammered. “There was no life-threatening condition. It wasn’t necessary.”
I stared at him, my brain refusing to understand.
“Say it again.”
“The baby didn’t need it!” he cried. “Lily insisted! She said she wanted… she wanted your child gone.”
The room tilted. My fingers gripped the edge of the table.
So my son didn't have to die at all.
My legs gave out. I caught myself on the table, my entire body shaking violently now.
“So you killed an innocent child for nothing,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Tears blurred my vision as the doctor fell to his knees.
“She threatened my family! I had no choice—”
“You had a choice and you chose to kill my child!” I yelled.
He broke down completely.
“I’m sorry! Please—”
“I won’t spare you.”
I picked up my phone and called the lawyer.
“I’ve found the doctor and he's confessed. Have him arrested, I have evidence to back up his crimes.”
—
When I got back to the mansion I braced myself. I needed to keep a neutral expression so they wouldn't suspect anything.
But when I stepped into the sitting room I saw all of them waiting for me. Jacob, Lily, and my adopted parents.
“What did you do?” my mother snapped.
My heart skipped a bit as I wondered if maybe they've somehow caught onto my plans.
“What are you talking about?”
“You set it up!” my father shouted. “The kidnapping! Just to get attention!”
I exhaled inwardly. It was just another one of Lily’s cheap tricks.
“You even endangered Lily!” my mother continued. “Do you know how fragile she is?”
Fragile? I almost laughed.
“How do you even know I did what you're accusing me of?” I asked, rolling my eyes.
Jacob stepped forward, his eyes cold.
“The kidnappers were caught and they confessed that you hired them!” Jacob snapped.
Lily stumbled forward, “Please, sister, spare me.”
“This is your last warning,” Jacob said coldly. “Behave yourself. Or I’ll make you regret it.”
Then he placed the baby in my arms.
“Take care of him and make yourself useful. We’re going out and will be back soon,” he said.
With those words, they all walked out of the house leaving me alone with the baby.
I looked down at the baby. The baby was warm and breathing softly, he was alive.
My arms tightened slightly and my chest burned as the child made baby noises.
My son wasn't alive because this baby’s mother had him killed. My vision blurred as I pressed my lips together, trying to stop it.
But the tears came anyway and soon the baby started crying with me.
“I’m sorry…” I whispered, sobbing, “It’s not your fault, you're just an innocent baby. You didn't ask for any of this.”
I managed to calm myself and the baby down when my phone buzzed.
It was a notification from Lily. She had posted a video showing her and Jacob watching the fireworks, her head leaning against his shoulders.
The caption read, ‘Five years and he's never missed bringing me to watch the fireworks. Thank you for always bringing me here, my sweetest best friend.’
Five years? My fingers tightened as a startling realization dawned on me.
Three years ago I rescued Lily and brought her back into this house. But even before then, Jacob had always been disappearing on this very day every year claiming he had work.
My breath hitched. So it wasn't recent, or accidental, it wasn't even a mistake. He had been with her all along, from the very beginning.
A bitter laugh escaped me as bile rose in my throat. It hurt so much it felt like my chest was being torn open.
It was clear now, it had always been Lily.
—
Later that night I was trying to rest when I heard doors slamming open and Lily’s terrified voice.
“Something’s wrong… the baby… the baby isn't breathing!”
Everything moved fast after that. Jacob rushed straight to my room with Lily and the baby.
“What did you do?!” he shouted.
“I didn't do anything—”
“You were the only one here with him when we went out!” he snapped.
“I would never—”
“Confess!” he roared, “You’ve always been jealous because your child died and her own survived.”
I stared at him, my chest tightening at his words.
“So this is what you think of me. You think I’m capable of this?”
Lily started crying, “Please, sister, hurt me but spare my child.”
I scoffed, “I’m not like you, Lily. I would never hurt an innocent child.”
Jacob’s face was red with anger as he glared at me. “Enough of your cruelty, Erika. I warned you to behave, maybe a few nights in jail will teach you a lesson, and pray nothing happens to my son.”
The next thing I knew Jacob called the cops, they handcuffed me and took me to the station even as I screamed of being innocent he ignored me.
—
The cell was cold and damp. The policemen refused to let me make any calls.
I curled up like a ball at night and tried to sleep when I heard a noise.
Everything happened so quickly as three female prisoners broke into my cell and beat me up, kicking my chest and my ribs until I couldn't cry out anymore.
That's when one of them pulled out something. I saw the sharp glinting end of the blade as she grinned evilly at me.
“Lily paid us to kill you, you must have been a real bitch to her. She said you should die already and rot in hell!”
Before I could speak, something pierced into me.
I let out a shrill scream, my body jerking as warmth spread quickly beneath me.
Heavy footsteps and voices sounded around me but everything blurred together, as my eyes threatened to close.
I was rushed to the hospital and the nurses kept yelling I shouldn't close my eyes.
I drifted in and out of consciousness but I was able to pick up a little bit of conversation.
Jacob was shouting, “All doctors should attend to my son.”
“But sir, an inmate was stabbed. She's severely wounded and could die,” one of the doctors was saying.
“What’s a prisoner’s life compared to that of my son. Save my son, the inmate’s life is worthless,” he said coldly.
Even now, he still chose to save Lily and her son, once again tossing me aside.
I was kept aside and left to bleed out. A nurse pitied me and bandaged my injury.
My vision blurred as I reached for my phone.
“Grandpa…”
My voice was barely a whisper.
“Come get me…”
By the time the door burst open again, I was fading. The lawyer and driver were beside me in an instant.
“Erika! Stay with me!” the lawyer said as he lifted me gently.
I forced my eyes open and I gripped his hand.
“I don’t care anymore…” I whispered, “Release everything. I want them ruined.”
The last thing I saw was the lawyer nodding to my words before darkness closed in.
