Jacob helped Selena sit on the chair and poured her a glass of water.
"Selena, tell me slowly. What happened?"
Selena cried, looking pitiful. "Last night, Sadie fainted at the birthday party and was sent to the hospital for examination. It was diagnosed with acute leukemia. Now she is in critical condition and needs a blood transfusion."
"Then I'll find a famous doctor in New York City immediately!"
Selena shook her head. "Sadie has Rh-negative blood. The hospital's blood bank is running out! It won't arrive in time if we transfer blood from elsewhere. The doctor said she only has two hours left."
Selena buried her face in her hands as she spoke and broke down completely.
Right before me, Jacob pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her. "Sadie will be fine, I promise. Don't worry too much."
"But where can we find someone to donate blood now? And it has to be Rh-negative."
Jacob turned his face towards me, his voice cold as ice. "Jasmine and Sadie have the same blood type. Bring Jasmine here immediately for a blood transfusion."
I let out a cold laugh. "Jacob, Jasmine is dead! Dead people can't donate blood!"
"This is a matter of life and death! Are you really cursing your own daughter just to cause trouble? Josephine, are you even human?"
Selena peeked out from Jacob's embrace, her voice weak but pleading. "Josephine, I won't compete with you for Jacob anymore! Please save Sadie."
Then she pushed away from Jacob and dropped to her knees with a loud thud. "Sadie is my life! I can't live without her! Josephine, I'm begging you, save her!"
"Jasmine is really gone."
I reached into my pocket, pulled out Jasmine's death certificate and threw it at Jacob's face. "If you still don't believe me, take a good look yourself!"
Jacob picked up the thin paper.
After just one look, his pupils shrank and his breath choked.
His hands trembled so violently that he couldn't hold the light paper. His face turned ashen, filled with shock and disbelief.
"This … when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me?" His voice was hoarse.
I showed a bitter smile.
I have told you many times. It's you who don't believe it every time.
But what was the point of saying any of this now? Jasmine would never come back.
Selena's voice rang out again as I was about to speak.
Her voice was filled with sorrow yet tinged with a hint of helplessness. "Josephine, you're even using such tricks to deceive Jacob to avoid saving Sadie!"
Jacob's face changed instantly. He turned to Selena. "You mean … this certificate is fake?"
Selena pointed to the blank space on the death certificate. "Of course. Look here; such an important document wouldn't be without an official seal. Jacob, don't be fooled by her again."
Relief washed over Jacob and he glared at me with renewed fury.
"Josephine, you're unbelievable! This is your last chance. Bring Jasmine here to donate blood, or I won't hold back!"
I started laughing, tears streaming down my face.
Was this the damn price I paid for being a lovesick fool? Even after my daughter's death, she and I still couldn't rest in peace.
"Haha! Jacob, Jasmine is really dead! If you want to find her, then go die yourself! Maybe you'll catch her on the other side!"
Slap! Jacob slapped me furiously.
"Fine! Since you're so stubborn, don't blame me for what comes next!"
He raised his hand and two bodyguards immediately appeared. "Take her away for a blood transfusion! She's also Rh-negative!"
"No! I don't want to!"
I struggled with all my strength, but how could I fight off two towering bodyguards?
Without another word, they dragged me out of the ward and into the blood donation ward.
