The dazzling, crowded party hall felt suffocating. Christina turned and stepped outside for a breath of air.
She had barely been out for a moment when Keala followed her like a piece of stubborn cling film.
Standing there with the arrogance of a “victor,” she looked down on her and said, “Christina, your parents and your husband—now, they all love me.”
Christina’s tone stayed light. “Once, they loved me, too.
“Love is the most unstable thing in the world. Today, they can love you, and tomorrow, they can love me again.
“Falling in love isn’t impressive. Staying in love—that’s the real skill.
“And love always changes.”
Just like how Hervey used to love her but now loved Keala instead.
Keala’s expression twisted. Nothing infuriated her more than Christina’s calm, indifferent manner.
“You act so high and mighty. Want to hear a secret?
“You ever wonder why Hervey suddenly stopped loving you? I told him that while you were kidnapped, you were passed around. That when you came back pretending to be ‘pure,’ it was all fake.
“Men love to say they don’t care about stuff like that, but inside? They’re disgusted.
“Whenever Hervey slept with me, he’d say you were already ‘used up’ but still played innocent. It made him sick.
“This gift—do you like it?”
Christina trembled all over with rage.
No wonder Hervey had been distant and unpredictable with her throughout their three-year marriage.
No wonder he’d spend ages in the shower after they slept together.
Apparently… he had always thought she was tainted.
And the one who planted all of this… was Keala.
Christina finally snapped. She raised her hand and slapped Keala hard.
Keala fell to the ground on cue—just as the guests from the party conveniently walked out and witnessed the scene.
She immediately grabbed Christina’s pant leg and started crying.
“I’m sorry, Christina! I didn’t mean to take Mom, Dad, or Hervey from you. I know I’m just an adopted child, and you’ve always looked down on me. I’ll leave the Olivers. You’ll never see me again...”
The moment she spoke, their parents, Elijah and Liza, rushed over and protectively wrapped their arms around Keala.
“No! You’re our precious daughter. If anyone leaves, it won’t be you.”
“Christina, after all these years, you still can’t let Keala go? If you can’t accept her, then you get out of the family. As far as we’re concerned, we never had a daughter like you!”
Hervey glared at her with righteous fury.
“Christina, if you have a problem, come at me. Why are you bullying Keala?
“I’ve already done what you wanted and married you. What else do you want?”
Christina’s eyes burned red.
Her parents, her husband—every single one of them was ready to cut ties with her for this vicious woman.
Christina was the one who had been hurt, and somehow, all of it had become her fault.
She looked at him coldly.
“So marriage isn’t something you can decide for yourself, but an affair is?”
Hervey’s expression changed. Elijah and Liza looked confused.
Before they could react, Keala suddenly threw herself off the second floor.
Below was soft grass; she wouldn’t die. But it was enough to make everyone believe Christina had driven her to an attempted suicide.
Once again, she became the villain in everyone’s eyes.
Watching the people who once loved her turn their backs one by one, Christina’s expression grew more and more bitter. She turned and went home to pack her things.
That night, as soon as Hervey walked in, he attacked her verbally.
“Are you satisfied now?”
“Did she die?” Christina replied calmly. “If she didn’t, then no—I’m not satisfied.”
Given everything Keala had done to her, even dying a hundred times wouldn’t be enough.
Hervey’s fists clenched, his knuckles cracking.
“You know about Keala and me, so I won’t hide it anymore. I’ll give you one chance. If you go to the hospital right now and donate blood to her, I won’t divorce you.”
Christina let out a cold laugh.
“Impossible. If she dies, I’ll set off fireworks.”
Hervey’s face darkened. Whether she agreed or not, he dragged her to the hospital and forced the doctors to draw her blood for Keala.
Inside the blood-drawing room, Christina backed away step by step.
“You can’t take my blood. I’m pregnant. I need to see Hervey. Tell him to come here!”
The doctor, afraid something serious might happen, went to inform Hervey.
But before the doctor said a word, Hervey snapped, “She refuses? Then tell her this—no matter what, the blood must be drawn today. Even if she dies, she’ll die after giving the blood!”
The doctor didn’t even get to explain before Hervey pushed him out.
When the doctor returned to the room, Christina grabbed onto a sliver of hope.
“Did he agree to let me go? I’m carrying his child; he can’t treat me like this.”
The doctor looked at her, sighed deeply, and said, “Ma’am… He said… even if you die, he wants every last drop of your blood first.”
Christina’s eyes shook violently. She tried to escape.
But before she reached the door, the doctor had people drag her back and forcefully restrain her.
They first drew 13 and a half ounces.
Hervey said it wasn’t enough.
Then they drew another 13 and a half ounces.
Christina’s face turned ghostly pale. A sharp pain stabbed through her lower abdomen as blood continued to flow.
She cried until her throat nearly tore.
She knew—her baby… could not be saved.
