~ LEA POV
On the eve of my wedding, my mother stumbled upon my fiance and my best friend wrapped in a betrayal so deep it shattered her heart.
The betrayal sent shockwaves into her fragile heart, triggering a relapse that left her fighting for her life. Mom needed a blood donor that matched her.
But at the time, no bloodstock matched my mom. We kept searching so that mom could get a blood donor as soon as possible to save her life.
Amid my confusion, Daniel Xaverius appeared like a savior. He was willing to donate his blood.
We didn't know each other at first, but suddenly he was willing to sacrifice himself for my mother. At that moment, I didn't think twice and immediately took Daniel to the blood transfusion room.
When I was about to go home to bring my mother a change of clothes, in the middle of the journey disaster happened to me. An unknown person hit me deliberately, causing blood to run down my head, and the people who were there immediately took me to the hospital.
I was unconscious for two hours.
By the time I woke up, Daniel's expression was filled with regret. His voice was soft, almost apologetic. "Your mother... she had an unexpected rejection during the blood transfusion.
She's gone. Forever.
With puffy eyes and tears in my eyes, I collapsed into his arms. He held me close, whispering his loyalty, vowing to take care of me for life. I believed him.
We were now in our fifth year of marriage.
I was heading to my husband Daniel office, clutching the pregnancy test I had just gotten from the hospital. Two lines. And also the keys to the mansion I had prepared for him as a gift.
However, it all fell apart when I arrived in front of his office.
I had just raised my hand to knock on the door when voices from inside caught my attention.
I hesitated for a moment, but then quietly leaned against the door, listening.
"Lea doesn't need to know, Axel, it's in the past. You need to forget about it!" Daniel's voice was firm, almost cold.
I frowned. What did he mean?
Then the voice of Axel, Daniel's best friend and right-hand man, spoke up in a more hesitant tone.
"You used his mother's organs to save Alexa Fiber, Daniel. You lied to Lea about donating your blood to save her mother? But you made Lea's mom die instead!" Alex said in a high tone.
The world around me stopped spinning.
Alexa Fiber was Daniel's first love, and none other than the wife of my ex-boyfriend, Ethan.
I almost lost my balance, my fingers weakening on the doorknob.
Axel's words swirled in my head like a hammer hitting mercilessly.
Mom... died because of my husband Daniel?
Not because of his illness? Not fate? But my husband's own decision?
"I did what I had to do, Alexa needed me, and I loved Alexa, and I saw that Lea's mom was dying," Daniel said without a hint of emotion.
"You killed her! You killed an innocent person!" demanded Axel, his voice full of suppressed anger.
"I saved Alexa, the person I love. Is that wrong?" replied Daniel without hesitation. "And I married Lea. Isn't that enough? Lea means nothing to me."
"What about Lea now? I can still see her mother's face, how she cried blood when her mother died, filled with hatred. Aren't you afraid that Lea will come and get you once she finds out the truth?" Alex said again, trying to get Daniel's attention.
Daniel paused, then chuckled, self-mocking.
That sentence hit me like a crushing blow to the chest.
I wanted to stop breathing. I wanted to turn off my ears so I wouldn't hear any more.
However, I couldn't move. I remained rooted to the spot, forcing myself to accept the truth that I had been blind to.
Five years of marriage. Five years of believing that Daniel loved me. Five years of living a lie.
"Lea means nothing to me. I don't want to feel guilty for making her mother die," Daniel repeated in a flat, almost cold voice.
"I've repaid her by dedicating my life to her. I've done my duty. However, if she finds out... so be it. I'll put her out of my life and I can live happily with Alexa!" Daniel said again.
The pregnancy test I was holding slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor.
I was his surrogate. The doll he married to cover up his hidden obsession with Alexa. I was nothing more than a tool.
My body trembled as I backed slowly away from the door, not realizing tears were starting to stream down my cheeks.
With my hands still trembling, I grabbed the house key I had intended to give him, then threw it into the nearest trash can.
I have to go. I had to get out of there before my breath ran out.
Without looking back, I ran out of the building, letting the night wind pierce my skin.
My chest felt tight like there was an invisible hand gripping it tightly. I got into my car and started the engine with stiff movements.
My mind was blank.
My eyes were blurry.
I couldn't think straight, couldn't feel anything other than the pain burning through my entire body.
I pressed the gas pedal, driving at a higher speed than usual. However, with all the emotions raging, I didn't notice when the red light appeared at the intersection.
I hit the brakes too slowly. The impact sent me reeling forward, and everything went dark.
When I opened my eyes, I smelled a sharp antiseptic scent.
Then I saw him, Daniel.
Daniel was sitting beside my bed, clutching my hand tightly. His eyes were red, his face looked desperate and full of regret.
"Lea," his voice trembled. "What happened? Why are you driving like that? You could have died!"
I looked at him.
I saw him crying, Daniel kissing my hand frantically.
I heard his sweet words, how much he loved me, how much I meant to him.
I knew it was all lies.
Yet I didn't say anything.
Instead, I smiled a little, forcing myself to look weak and confused. "I'm fine," I whispered.
Relief flooded his face. He bent down and kissed my forehead, whispering how grateful he was that I was alive.
"I love you so much, please don't be like this anymore. I don't want to lose you, Lea." Daniel said, kissing my forehead repeatedly.
I let him believe that I was still a foolish and trusting wife.
But deep down, I was already planning my revenge.
Daniel had taken everything from me, the mother I loved.
So, I would take everything from him. Like he took my world!
