When I opened my eyes again, a searing pain tore through my lower body.
I asked the doctor for the blood of my lost child. I had it made into a necklace—so that he could stay with me forever.
Just then, a message came from Caesar.
[Where did you go? Don't tell me you really moved out?]
[Your sister-in-law was so upset by you today that she had contractions. I've decided to take her out to relax—we'll be back in two days.]
Before, I would have thrown a fit, fought to keep them from going anywhere together.
But now... I didn't even reply. My heart was numb.
I lay weakly on the hospital bed, finally ready to rest, when my phone buzzed again.
It was a video from Arlene.
On the screen, Caesar knelt on the floor, gently helping her put on a pair of brand-new designer heels.
The tenderness in his eyes—I hadn't seen that look in a long time.
"Caesar said these were originally a surprise gift for you," she said sweetly through voice message.
"But I only mentioned they looked nice, and he immediately gave them to me. Tell me, Larissa—who do you think matters more in his heart?"
Even though I had resolved to let go of Caesar, her words cut deep, a sharp ache spreading in my chest.
I replied back coldly, [Stop provoking me. Or don't blame me when I expose your filth and make sure the whole world knows. It won't be pretty.]
[We're adults, Arlene. Drop the fake act.]
I thought that would silence her.
But instead, she took a screenshot of my message and ran crying to Caesar.
Soon, his assistant appeared at my hospital ward, expression grim.
"Madam, this is Mr. Chandler's order. Please record a video, kneel down, and apologize to Madam Walton."
When I refused to move, his tone hardened.
"Don't make this difficult for us. Just do as you're told."
I still didn't budge.
So two bodyguards stormed in, dragging me out of the ward.
My hospital gown was yanked apart in the scuffle, leaving me disheveled and humiliated.
"This is illegal!" I shouted, clutching at my clothes. "I'll call Caesar right now!"
The assistant sneered.
"No need, Madam. Mr. Chandler already instructed me. Once the video is done, I'll take you to him. Your sister-in-law has been admitted to the hospital thanks to your cruelty—she needs a blood transfusion immediately."
A chill crept through my veins.
Before I could react, a bodyguard kicked me hard.
I collapsed to the ground, clutching my abdomen as waves of stabbing pain radiated through me.
They forced me onto my knees, holding me down until the assistant recorded my "confession."
The shame was unbearable. My whole body trembled as I fought to break free.
But the next moment, a blow to the head sent me into darkness.
When I came to, I was in another hospital.
Caesar loomed over me, brows tightly furrowed.
"Was kneeling and apologizing really that hard? You've been pretending to faint for so long while your sister-in-law is waiting for a transfusion. If we're too late, it'll be your fault!"
A bitter laugh escaped me.
"Look at me—do you really think I was pretending? Caesar, I won't donate blood. Give up already!"
From the start, he knew I suffered from a severe clotting disorder.
Even a small wound could put my life at risk.
And I had just undergone an abortion. Blood donation could kill me.
I thought that would make him stop.
But instead, his eyes hardened.
He dragged me into the blood-draw room and coldly ordered, "Take as much as you can. Her blood type is rare—store it for future use."
I stared at him in disbelief. "You know my condition. Why are you forcing this?"
His eyes flickered with something unreadable, then settled into blame. "If you hadn't cursed her, she'd never be in the hospital. This is your fault, Larissa. Pain is the only way you'll learn."
The next instant, the largest needle was plunged into my arm.
A scream tore from my throat as my blood drained away, leaving me faint and shaking.
At last, Caesar told them to stop.
He glanced at my deathly pale face, a flicker of guilt passing through his eyes, and reached out as if to help me.
But at that moment, the door burst open.
"Good news—Madam Walton has woken up!" the doctor announced.
Caesar's hand dropped instantly.
He rushed past me into the ward, gathering Arlene into his arms right before my eyes.
"Thank God you're safe," he whispered hoarsely. "If anything had happened, I would never forgive myself."
From the doorway, Arlene met my gaze.
Her lips curved as she mouthed silently, "You've lost."
Then, without hesitation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Don’t worry,” she cooed, “even if something really had happened, I’d never blame you
Caesar stiffened, but he didn't push her away.
He turned toward me, flustered.
"Larissa, don't misunderstand. She's just overjoyed. Please don't make a scene."
But I didn't feel jealousy anymore—only emptiness.
"Don't worry," I said evenly. "Even if you end up in her bed, I won't cause a fuss again."
And with that, I turned and walked out.
Step by step, down the sterile corridor, out of that suffocating hospital.
One hand pressed against my still-bleeding wound, the other dialing Dexter.
My voice trembled. "Can you... come pick me up earlier than planned?"
