The cab sped through the bustling streets, the city lights blurring past my window. I rested my head against the cool glass, trying to focus on the road ahead—on the airport, on my freedom.
Then my phone buzzed.
Jayden’s name flashed on the screen. For a moment, I debated ignoring it, but that would only make him suspicious. I swiped to answer, forcing my voice to stay calm. “Hello?”
“Lilian,” Jayden’s tone was sharp, almost frantic. “What’s your blood type?”
I frowned, gripping the phone tighter. “RH-negative. Why?”
“Scarlet needs blood,” he said quickly. “She’s anemic, and the hospital is low on her type. Go to St. Claire’s right now and donate. She’s already weak from—”
I cut him off before he could finish. “I’m not near St. Claire’s right now.”
“Then where are you?” he demanded.
I hesitated, my mind racing for a believable excuse. “I’ll head there as soon as I can.”
“Don’t take too long, Lilian,” he snapped, the urgency in his voice unmistakable. “Scarlet’s life depends on it.”
“I’ll try my best,” I lied, then ended the call before he could say more.
I exhaled sharply, my grip tightening on the phone. There was no way I was turning back. I wasn’t going to let him manipulate me into saving his precious Scarlet. Not after everything.
I dialed another number.
“Miss Lilian?”
“Make sure St. Claire’s doesn’t receive any RH-negative blood,” I said coldly. “And block all nearby hospitals from supplying it as well. Force them to go further, no matter the cost.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the voice replied, no hesitation.
I ended the call and stared out the window. A part of me whispered that I was being cruel, but I silenced it quickly. Scarlet had stolen my life, my love, my trust. If she was clinging to life now, I couldn’t bring myself to care.
A darker thought crossed my mind—what if she didn’t make it?
I swallowed it down and focused on the airport signs appearing in the distance.
Inside the terminal, I pulled out my phone and made another call.
“Lilian!” my mother’s cheerful voice filled the line. “It’s been so long since you called. How are you, dear?”
“I’m fine, Mom,” I said, forcing a smile even though she couldn’t see it. “I just wanted to let you know I’m leaving for a three-year contract.”
“A contract?” she asked, surprised. “Where to? And what about Jayden?”
“We broke up,” I said simply.
There was a pause, then my mother let out a delighted laugh. “Thank God! I never liked that man anyway. Good riddance. But forget about the research, darling. Come back home. Marry a proper man, the one I’ve always told you about. It’s time to take over the company.”
“Mom, I—”
Before I could finish, my phone buzzed with another incoming call. I glanced at the screen. Jayden. Again.
“Mom, I’ll call you back,” I said quickly.
“Oh, we’re not done with this discussion!” she said teasingly before hanging up.
I didn’t accept Jayden’s call. Instead, I opened his messages.
Where are you, Lilian? Scarlet needs blood!
Why did you freeze the account? I can’t pay for Scarlet’s treatment!
What the hell is going on? Call me back!
I stared at the texts, my chest tightening—not with regret, but with the finality of it all.
I typed a response, my fingers steady as I crafted the words.
Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you before I left. I’m breaking up with you, asshole. Feel free to marry your whore, Scarlet.
I hit send, blocked his number, and tucked my phone into my bag.
