I lunged forward and yanked Kayla by the hair.For my daughter, I felt a surge of boundless courage I never knew I had. Dragging Kayla closer to me, I hissed each word through clenched teeth, "What did you do to Joyce?"Hatred burned in Kayla's eyes, yet she laughed. "What did I do? Can't you see? Her father abandoned her at this orphanage. He promised me she would be my blood bag. Whenever I needed it, she would supply me with endless blood. However I treated her—she deserved it all!"My chest tightened, fury flooding every vein. My grip on her hair grew harsher, until she finally cried out in pain. Tears streamed down her cheeks.Her gaze darted desperately toward Grayson."Grayson! Save me! This was your idea! You swore nothing would happen to me!"I snapped my head toward him. His face had gone ghostly pale."Lydia," he stammered, "let me explain. At the start, I didn't know your daughter was the one who could save Kayla. That's why I planned that car accident! I—"Expres
The head of the orphanage was already waiting downstairs with my parents.The moment my mother saw the child in my arms, tears streamed down her face. My father, overcome with emotion, couldn't even form words.Clutching Joyce tightly, I turned to the orphanage director, my voice sharp and trembling with fury."Who did this to her? Who put these wounds on my daughter? Do children suffer this kind of abuse in your orphanage?"My mother, startled by my words, rushed forward and lifted Joyce's shirt.Joyce's frail back was covered in scabbed-over scratches and scars—evidence of long-term abuse.My mother pressed a shaking hand over her mouth before gently pulling Joyce's clothes back down, while tears spilled from her eyes.The director looked stunned. "What… what happened? How could this be?"I let out a cold, bitter laugh. "You're asking me? Don't tell me you didn't know."The director knelt, her voice soft as she touched Joyce's face."Joyce, who's been hurting you? Why didn'
"These past few years, I often went to see Joyce. She… she's very obedient, so much like you when you were little."As Grayson spoke, my mind instinctively conjured an image of my daughter—her face, her eyes, the way she might look now.I could no longer wait. I had to fly back immediately to see the child who had been separated from me at birth.The moment I hung up, I rushed toward the airport.After landing, I switched back to my old SIM card. Dozens of messages from Grayson poured in—every one of them filled with remorse. I didn't bother to read them. Instead, I dialed my ex-husband."Peter, our daughter didn't die."Silence filled the other end. A long while passed before I finally heard a muffled "Mm."My heart lurched. I asked slowly, "You knew, didn't you?"Peter hung up.Staring at the blackened screen, I let out a bitter, mocking laugh. Of course, he knew. This plan had been orchestrated by him and Grayson together.Truly ruthless men.For the sake of the woman the
The nursing student rolled her eyes and turned back into the ward.Grayson stared at the abortion consent form in his hand, and in an instant, tears spilled down his face.He remained in the hospital for a long time, motionless, as if rooted to the spot.It wasn't until deep into the night that he finally pulled out his phone and, with a harsh edge to his voice, barked an order, "Find her! Even if you have to turn all of Levtain City upside down, bring Lydia to me!"…The shrill ring of my phone jolted me awake.My best friend's gloating voice dragged me fully out of sleep."Grayson has practically overturned Levtain City looking for you. If he regrets it now, then why do what he did in the first place? But you'd better be ready. Sooner or later, he'll track you down."I pressed my lips together and replied calmly, "And what would he want with me?"I couldn't understand it. For Kayla, he had been willing to sacrifice everything. My leaving only cleared the path for them to be
Kayla's voice was sharp and urgent, as if she desperately needed Grayson to deny it.But he said nothing. Instead, a bitter smile tugged at his lips. "Kayla, focus on recovering. Lydia prepared a gift for me. From now on, I intend to spend my days with her."With that, he left the ward without looking back, his steps quick, almost impatient, as if he could not wait to get home.On the drive back, Grayson's mind replayed the image of me—my tear-streaked face—when he carried Kayla away. His chest ached with a dull, persistent pain. He pressed a hand hard against his heart, kneading it as though that could ease the unease gnawing inside him.Pulling out his phone, he opened our chat.[Lydia, I'm coming home. Do you want anything to eat?][Shall I take you to the movies tonight?][Or we could travel. Didn't you say you wanted to see Shaylem Lake?]He sent message after message, the screen filling with words. But none received a reply.Then he saw my last reminder—telling him to co
I dragged my weak body out of the hospital. I returned home only long enough to pack a suitcase before rushing straight to the airport.I didn't even look at the destination. Just bought the next available ticket.It didn't matter where I went. I only wanted to escape Grayson completely.As the plane lifted from the ground, I stared blankly out the window, the doctor's heavy sigh echoing in my ears."Ms. Jackson, if you don't protect this child, you'll never have another."I shut my eyes, tears leaking from the corners.What did I say back then?My lower abdomen was torn apart with pain, my body drowning in blood.The doctor told me there was still time. But I shook my head, resolute."No. I can't give the baby a complete family. Why bring them into the world only to suffer?"When the anesthesia dragged me under, all I could see was Grayson's face.We grew up together. We played house as children. He once swore he would be my husband, that we would be together for life.W