My steps were hesitant as I climbed the marble stairs leading to the Duke family’s home–my father–in–law’s side of the family.”
My heart wavered between hope of being accepted and the fear of being cast out.
The heavy front door opened before I had the chance to knock.
A middle–aged man–Mr. Duke–stood in the doorway, staring at me for a long moment, nearly expressionless.
Behind him, Mrs. Gracia and their children looked at me as if I were an unwanted threat.”
“Come in,” Mr. Duke said at last.
I lowered my head, stepped inside, and heard the door quietly shut behind me.
“We knew you would come,” Mrs. Gracia said flatly. “And we also know the risks of helping you.“}]
I swallowed hard. “I won’t stay long. Just a few days until my flight ticket is ready. Then I’ll go as far away as possible.“}
They exchanged glances. I knew they didn’t truly welcome me–but at least they allowed me shelter.}
Under one condition.
“You must leave before Sean finds out you’re here,” Mr. Duke said firmly.
“We don’t want our business to be ruined just because we helped a woman that Sean Armstrong hates.“} My chest tightened. I nodded.}
“I understand. I swear… I’ll leave soon.”
**
But the world didn’t seem willing to let me breathe for long.
That morning, the roar of a car engine in the courtyard made my heart leap out of my chest.”
Through the window, I saw dark–clothed men get out and storm in forcefully. They were Sean’s men.}
“We’re in danger,” Mrs. Gracia whispered, gripping my hand tightly.
Shouts, screams, and the sound of things breaking filled the house. I hid in the basement, my breath caught in my throat.
But it didn’t take long for them to find me.§
“Mrs. Lea Armstrong,” one of them said, pointing a gun at me.”
“Mr. Sean is waiting for you.“}
They dragged me out, and what I saw shattered my soul: the Duke family–being held at gunpoint.
“Sean!” I screamed as he stepped out of his black car. “What more do you want from me?!“}
1
The man who once loved me now stood before me like a demon.}
“You have to repay what I gave you for the past ten years… with your blood.“}
“What are you talking about?!“}
“Rebecca needs a blood transfusion. And only yours is compatible with hers ”
I froze. “No! I won’t give a single drop of my blood to that woman!“}
He stepped closer. His eyes were cold. “You refuse? Then their lives are the price.”
1
Guns pointed at Mr. Duke and his family. They trembled in fear.
“You’re insane!” I stepped forward. “They’re your family, Sean!“}
“Not anymore. They betrayed me.”}
“All for that whore?! Rebecca’s turned you mad!“}
“Shut your mouth!” Sean growled.}
“I don’t have time. Rebecca… and our child… need your blood.“/
My chest collapsed. Our child? That wound tore open again. But now was not the time to mourn the past.
I bowed my head in defeat.
“I’ll come… But let them go.“%
“That depends on your obedience, Lea…”
At the hospital.
I was taken to the transfusion room, my body trembling in a thin hospital gown.
Rebecca lay quietly on the bed. Her face was peaceful–even while I had to risk my life for her.
“Just once,” I whispered to myself.”
But it wasn’t.
Sean ordered them to draw even more blood. “For backup,” he said coldly.
iPhuriast dig Pride
Sean ordered them to draw even more blood. “For backup,” he said coldly.”
My body began to weaken. My breath shortened. I knew this wasn’t just exhaustion–I was pregnant. “Stop.. I beg you…”
The doctor tried to reason with Sean. “Her body is already weak, Sir. Continuing could be dangerous.” But Sean only smirked, “As long as she’s not dead, she’ll be fine. Keep going!“%
The needle pierced my skin again. The world blurred. I looked at him, hoping he’d see my suffering.
But all I found was an empty gaze–cold and unfeeling.”
In the final seconds before darkness consumed me, memories of him flooded back.
His smile. His embrace. His love.
But they were only shadows that made me regret it all the more.
**
I woke up in a hospital room. My head was heavy. My body still desperately weak.”
And my stomach…}
My hands reached frantically.
“My baby?!”
The nurse beside me shook her head, her eyes swollen with tears.
“We couldn’t save it…”
That voice struck like a bomb in my chest. A blast that shattered all of my sanity.
“Sean!!! You bastard!! I’ll kill you!”
I ripped the IV from my arm. Blood spilled, but I didn’t care. My legs shook as I stood, then collapsed. But rage lifted me again. “I won’t die! Not until I see them destroyed!“>
Nurses rushed to hold me down. “Ma’am, please, this could harm you…“{
“Let me go!” I shoved them off. My eyes wild, searching for the room where Rebecca was lying.
I opened one VIP room after another. But they were gone.
The chaos I caused sent the whole floor into panic. I screamed.}
“Where is Sean?! Tell me where he is!!”
One nurse shouted, “They’re not in this ward!”
“Take me to them! Now!!!”
And in that second…
The elevator doors at the end of the hallway slid open.
I turned.
My gaze froze.
The voice came–cold, sharp, dripping with contempt.
“What can you possible do with a body that weak, Lea? Restrain her. Take her to her room. Sedate her with a tranquilizer!”
My body was completely surrounded. Rough hands grab bed my arms, holding me down.”
“NO!!! LET ME GO!!! SEAN!!!”
I screamed, but they didn’t care. My vision blurred with tears and fury.
