The doctor asked if I needed anything else. I gave her a smile that tasted like metal. “Did anyone come to see me?”
“I’m sorry. No one came.”
Something in me went cold then. Not the kind of cold that makes you shiver. The kind that settles deep, like frost in your bones.
When she left, I stared at the wall for a long time. Eventually, I pushed the blanket off me. Pain tore through my body, but I ignored it.
“Mrs. Celestino?” A nurse had just walked in. “You shouldn’t be moving. You lost a lot of blood. Your stitches—”
“I’m leaving,” I said flatly. “I don’t care if I’m still bleeding. I’m not staying here another second.”
She tried to reason with me. “You’re not stable enough. We haven’t—”
“I said I’m leaving. Just give me whatever I need to sign.”
She stared at me for a long moment, then walked out. A few minutes later, she came back with the discharge papers.
Every step toward the door felt like climbing a mountain barefoot. My legs shook, my back screamed, but I kept going.
Halfway down the hall, I saw them. Marshall and Daphne. My twin sister.
They were in another room, sitting side by side. Smiling. Laughing. Like nothing had happened. Like my babies had never existed.
I turned away before they could see me.
They had already taken everything from me once. I wasn’t going to let them do it again.
And this time, I had Percival. The man who hid his empire behind polite smiles. The man people whispered about but never named out loud.
The man who could burn the Celestinos to the ground without lifting a finger.
And I was done being their victim.
Marshall was feeding her soup with this fake gentle smile, like he actually cared. Daphne sat there, looking fragile but smug, soaking up all the attention like a queen.
Before, seeing them together would have crushed me. Now, I felt nothing. I turned to slip away, but, as usual, luck wasn’t on my side.
“Liora?” Marshall’s voice caught me. I stiffened, jaw tightening.
I turned slowly, keeping my face blank, trying to hide the storm inside. When our eyes met, I caught something flicker in him… guilt, maybe. Like he’d just remembered I was even there.
“I didn’t know you were awake,” he stuttered, pushing himself up from the chair beside Daphne. “How are you feeling?”
I said nothing. Not a word. My silence was louder than any answer I could give.
Marshall’s shoulders slumped. “Your sacrifice… it wasn’t for nothing,” he said quietly, looking at me like he wanted me to believe it. “Daphne’s fine. The baby’s healthy and strong. You saved them both.”
I laughed. It was sharp, bitter, without any humor. Marshall flinched like he’d been hit.
Daphne rested her hand on her flat belly, smiling all sweetness, “Marshall hasn’t left me alone for a second. He’s been so good to me.”
I wasn’t about to sit and listen to their sick show. I turned to leave, but Marshall jumped up, reaching for me.
“Wait, Liora. Just wait.”
I froze. Not because I wanted to hear him, but because I knew how ridiculous it would sound.
“I’m throwing a party tonight,” he blurted out. “To celebrate your recovery and Daphne coming home safe. It’s been a rough road. My father’s going to be there. He really wants to see you.”
I didn’t say a thing.
He stepped closer, his voice softer, trying to sound sincere. “Let me give you a ride home. We’re all going the same way.”
“I’m not going home,” I said flatly. “I’m going to my parents’ vineyard.”
Percival had promised to watch over the vineyard once I accepted his offer. It was the only piece of my parents left, the only thing Marshall could never touch.
Marshall blinked, confused. “The vineyard? Why?”
I tilted my head, keeping my face cold. “I have business there. None of your concern.”
Daphne perked up suddenly, her fake sweetness on full display. “Perfect timing. I was going to visit too. It is our parents’ vineyard after all.”
That caught me off guard. She’d always acted like it didn’t exist.
Marshall nodded quickly. “Then we’ll come with you.”
I stared at him, surprised at how fast he agreed. This was the same man who always called the vineyard a waste, a burden. But now, with Daphne mentioning it, he jumped at the chance.
I sneered quietly. “Fine. You can come. But there’s one thing I need from you first.”
Marshall straightened, hopeful. “Anything.”
I reached into my bag and pulled out the discharge papers I’d been holding since he brought Daphne home. Divorce paper.
He took the papers, eyebrows furrowed. “What’s this?”
“My discharge form,” I said flat, not meeting his eyes.
He hesitated, always so careful about what he signed. But then he glanced at Daphne, who fluttered her lashes and smiled sweetly, and suddenly he forgot all caution.
“I’m tired, Marshall,” she purred. “Let’s go home quickly.”
He nodded, barely looking at the papers before signing. The moment his pen lifted, a small smirk played on my lips.
“Thank you,” I said, slipping the papers back into my bag. “Now I’m free from you.”
