Ch.5~Jodie

Jodie

Evelyn’s voice trembles beside me. “Jodie…”

I swallow hard, forcing a steady tone. “My mother?” My heart turns to ice. I can barely hear what Enid and Dante are talking about. I want to leave right now before I miss my flight. But something happened to Mother, I… I have to go see her.

But then, if this is another case of them needing my blood again, what would I do?

*Then cut it out and take the flight, you’ve done enough for that family, Lila’s voice comes soft, slightly annoyed. Jodie. You’ve already repaid their kindness. You owe them nothing.*

My throat tightens because she’s right. She’s always right, but this is my mother we’re talking about, the only one who ever showed me any kind of love, even if it came mixed with guilt.

Still, that thought twists deep in my stomach. What if this is just another excuse—another “accident” that ends with me hooked up to an IV bag, watching my own blood drip away for someone else’s sake?

They’re my family, but they only see me as a walking blood bank, just like Calden.

My mother was always frail, and most times I also needed to donate blood to her. My blood type is rare, and they say I have healing power in my blood. I still don't understand how much value my blood has; the only thing I know is that I'm nothing more than a donor. Each time Mother fell ill, I helped, and she hugged me after, thanking me or apologizing for the burden. Those were the only moments I felt a spark of love.

I had started to accept my place in the family until Enid let it slip that I was adopted. From that moment, everything made sense—the reason my father never smiled at me, why my brother Alvin could barely look at me. Only my mother showed me a bit of love.

I’m sorry, Lila, I sigh and rub my temple. I have to see her, I whisper, though she growls in disapproval. Just to make sure she’s okay. I promise I won’t let them touch me again. For you and our pup, I will not do any donations no matter who’s dying.

She goes quiet, but I feel the unease roll through her.

I tear up the plane ticket in my hand and look at Evelyn and Dante. “Take me to her.”

Evelyn’s mouth opens like she wants to argue, but she reads my face and nods.

The drive to the hospital feels longer than it is. Dante doesn’t speak, just focuses on the road. The silence is thick, broken only by the hum of the tires. My stomach churns, my palms dampen.

When we reach the building, the smell of antiseptic hits me hard. My stomach twists, the sharp scent making me nauseous. The whole building reminds me of lying pale and weak while Enid smiled beside me, pretending to be grateful for my donations.

We walk down the corridor, but as Dante turns a corner, my heart skips… something’s off. This isn’t the way to the emergency ward. My pulse spikes when I realize this hallway leads to Enid’s ward.

I stop walking. “Why are we going this way?”

Evelyn glances at Dante, then back at me. “Dante, this isn’t—”

But Dante keeps walking, shrugging. “It’s the Alpha’s orders. She’ll find them here.”

My pulse spikes. “This is Enid’s discharge day. If my mother was in an emergency, why would she be here?”

Evelyn’s hand finds mine, squeezing. “Jodie…”

I swallow, trying to convince myself I’m overthinking. Maybe my mother just moved into Enid's ward. Still, every step feels heavier, my wolf muttering, turn back. I pray this isn't something Mother and Calden planned, because it will break my heart the more I learn that the two people I loved most played me.

When we reach the ward, I see my father inside. My body freezes. Enid isn’t there. My mother isn’t either.

My father looks up with his usual hard face. “Evelyn, you can go,” he says. “I need to speak with Jodie alone.”

Evelyn hesitates. I nod, silently telling her I’ll be fine. She gives me one last look before stepping out.

As soon as the door closes, I ask, “Where’s my mother?”

I stare at him, my chest tightening. His face is cold and sharp, eyes dark, lips pressed into that rigid line I’ve known all my life. The same man who never smiled at me, never looked at me like I mattered.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he gestures to the chair. “Sit.”

I give him a look to show I have no time to sit down.

He sighs. “I spoke to a well-known publishing house. They’re willing to publish your meaningless, boring novels.”

My brows knit together. “What?” I probably heard wrong, because my father who never cared about me, is suddenly bringing up my dream? Something is off.

He continues like I didn’t speak. “You’ll meet them tomorrow morning. I’ve arranged everything.” As if he’s doing me the favor of my life. I grind my jaw together, my hand clenching the strap of my handbag.

I stare at him, then let out a small laugh. “You think I’m that stupid? You’ve never once cared about my writing, and now suddenly you want to help me chase my dream?”

His lips tighten. “Watch your tone, Jodie.”

“Answer my question,” I fire back. “Where’s my mother?”

He leans forward, voice low. “Stay in this city. Behave, and maybe you’ll finally get the life you wanted. You’ll be recognized for something meaningful instead of wasting your time.”

I laugh again, empty. “So you knew about my dream but never cared. Now you’re offering a ‘dream’ in exchange for what, exactly? More blood?”

He narrows his eyes. “You should appreciate it when someone offers to help you.”

I shake my head, the old ache crawling up. “Help? You’ve never helped me unless it benefits you, Father.”

His silence tells me everything. My stomach sinks. “Mother’s not hurt, is she?”

He doesn’t answer. That’s my answer. Betrayal crawls up my chest.

“Of course,” I whisper, my throat burning. “It was just another lie.” My body began to tremble from the betrayal, my mother really lied to me? She deceived me? And Calden allowed this, he joined them to drag me back here to give blood knowing I am pregnant.

He stands abruptly. “Enough, Jodie. Your mother went with Enid to sort out her discharge paperwork. When they return, we’ll go home and hold a party for Enid.”

I laugh again, louder this time…a broken sound that fills the room. “You called me here for this? To trick me into staying for blood and keeping the family looking harmonious?”

I turn toward the door, shaking my head. “I’m done with this.”

But the door opens before I can reach it. My mother and Enid walk in.

The sight of them makes my body lock up. For a split second, I want to believe maybe—maybe it’s all real, she was hurt. But then I see her eyes. The guilt in them is so clear it stings worse than any lie.

She tries to smile, her lips trembling. “Jodie, sweetheart… come home.”

Her voice is soft, pleading, like she’s trying to erase everything with one word.

I stare at her, my heart twisting in my chest. “Home?” I echo quietly. “You mean back to being you and Enid's blood bank again?”

Her eyes glisten, and she covers her mouth, tears spilling down her cheeks. “Jodie, please, I—”

“Please what?” My voice rises despite the ache in my chest. “Please keep giving until there’s nothing left of me? How much more do you want me to lose?”

“Jodie,” she sobs. “You don’t understand—”

“I understand perfectly.” I take a shaky step forward, staring straight into her eyes. “I’ve been giving you and Enid my blood since I was a kid. Every time you cried and told me it shouldn’t be me, I believed you. I thought you loved me. But you only ever loved what I could give.”

She shakes her head, crying harder.

“Now Enid’s fine,” I continue, my voice breaking. “She doesn’t need me anymore. Can’t you just let me go? Please?”

More tears stream down her face, her lips trembling as she tries to make out words, I shouldn't be this harsh on my mother, I can see how much my words hurt her but, I don't want to care about anyone else right now—for once in my life, I want to care about myself.

She stretches her hands to touch me but I move back, she bites her lower lip and opens her mouth to talk but before she can answer, my father’s voice cuts through the air like a whip.

“How dare you talk to your mother like that?”

He grabs my wrist, yanking me toward him. The sharp sting comes before I even process it. The slap rings loud in my ears, snapping my head to the side.

For a second, I can’t hear a single sound except the sharp ringing in my ear. The taste of blood fills my mouth.

My knees buckle, and I hit the floor hard. The sound of glass shattering follows, a cup rolling away, spilling water across the tiles.

I blink, dazed, my cheek throbbing. My mother gasps, rushing forward, but my father’s glare stops her in her tracks. Hah! It's the first time I ever stand against my family like this, how much more can my father hate me? Even though I am adopted, I am still his daughter—what more can I do for him to see that I also have my life and I also deserve to be heard?

Does my opinion really not matter to anyone?

Hard sobs escape my mouth, my eyes burn from the tears that keep spilling down my face, my body shakes from how much I am trying to hold back.

Then I hear footsteps. A firm, steady sound that makes my stomach twist in dread. I know who they belong to.

I look toward the door just as Calden appears. His tall frame fills the doorway, eyes dark and an expression I can’t read. His eyes moved from me on the floor, to my father looming over me, the shattered glass, my mother crying—and then Evelyn.

Great, I swear the whole world stops, and my heart shatters even more.