DEAR EX, IT'S TOO LATE, I HAVE MOVED ON

AUBREE

The needle slid into my vein for the hundredth time this year. 

I have been counting; today made it the hundredth day. I am doing this. 

I didn't flinch even when the nurse pulled the syringe a little roughly.

After six months of doing this twice a week, my body knew the routine. 

The cold sting and painful pull of blood leaving my veins. The dizziness that followed.

"You're doing great, Miss Hayes," Dr. Morrison, who stood two feet away watching the nurse, said.

 Dr. Morrison was the only one who called me by my last name. 

Everyone else in this mansion just called me "the donor."

I watched the red liquid flow through the tube into the collection bag. 

This blood of mine was the only thing keeping Dominic Winter alive.

Across the room, Dominic sat at his office desk. He hadn't looked up once since I walked in. 

His fingers moved across his laptop keyboard. He was probably making another million dollars while I sat here giving him my blood.

"How much longer?" I asked quietly.

Dr. Morrison checked the bag. "Another ten minutes."

Ten more minutes of Dominic ignoring me. Once again, I tell myself I am used to it and look away. 

I gazed around his private medical suite. Everything was neat and in place. 

The leather chair I sat in probably cost more than my parents' house. The machines monitoring my vitals beeped softly, the only noise in the room. 

"Your blood pressure is a bit low today," Dr. Morrison commented, frowning at the monitor. "Have you been eating enough?"

I wanted to laugh at his words because the housekeeper only brought me food twice a day. 

I wasn't allowed to go to the main kitchen myself. Dominic's mother said it wasn't appropriate for "someone like me" to be seen wandering around.

"I'm fine," I lied.

Dr. Morrison didn't look convinced, but he didn't push it. He knew better. 

We all knew better than to make any protest sounds in Dominic Winter's world.

The door opened and I heard the soft sound of heels entering the room.

My stomach dropped because I could already smell the fragrance of her perfume. 

My older sister swept into the room as if she owned it. I guess in a way, she did. 

After all, she was going to marry Dominic in two years. She was going to be Mrs. Winter and own everything, I have always wanted just like always.

"There you are, darling," Vivian cooed, walking straight to Dominic's desk. She didn't even glance at me.

Dominic finally looked up from his laptop. His cold expression softened just a little.

 "Vivian. I thought you were shopping with your mother today."

"I was, but I wanted to see you." She perched on the edge of his desk, her designer dress probably costing more than Lily's entire hospital bill.

 "I brought the wedding venue options. Mother thinks the Plaza is too common. She wants something more exclusive."

Wedding venue options.

I stared at the tube carrying my blood and tried not to throw up.

"We can look at them later," Dominic murmured. "I have a conference call in twenty minutes."

"But darling…"

"Later, Vivian."

His tone was curt. Vivian's sweet smile tightened, but she backed off. She knew when to stop pushing.

Probably bored, she looked in my direction, her gaze cold. If I didn't know better, I would have thought I was adopted, and she wasn't my biological sister, but she is. 

"Oh, I didn't realize it was donation day."

Yeah, she didn't know indeed. She didn't know I was here twice every week, keeping her fiancé alive with my damn blood. 

"Hello, Vivian," I rolled my eyes at the disgusting way she was gazing at me. I didn't want to be here either. 

 "Aubree. How is our little sister? Still healthy, I hope?"

Our little sister. The one I was doing this for. Without Dominic's money, she would die.

"Lily is doing better," I replied even though I knew she didn't care. "The doctors say…"

"That's wonderful." Vivian cut me off. She turned back to Dominic. "I'll leave you to your... business. Dinner tonight? Mother wants us to meet with the wedding planner."

"Fine."

Vivian leaned down and kissed Dominic in front of everyone. She was doing it to taunt me. It hurts but I looked away. 

 Vivian was walking toward the door, however, she suddenly paused next to my chair.

"You're looking pale, little sister," she taunted. "Maybe you should eat more. We wouldn't want you getting sick. Dominic needs you healthy."

She didn't wait for a response, she just walked out.

Dr. Morrison cleared his throat. "Just a few more minutes, Miss Hayes."

I nodded. I didn't trust my voice.

Dominic went back to his laptop as if nothing had happened and my sister hadn't just kissed him in front of me. 

What a fool I keep making of myself. 

The machine beeped, signaling that the blood bags were filled. Dr. Morrison removed the needle carefully, not letting the nurse who inserted the needle attend to me. 

"All done. Press here for a few minutes." He handed me a juice box. "Drink this. And please, eat something when you get back to your room."

"Thank you, Dr. Morrison."

He was the only one who showed me any kindness in this place.

I stood up slowly and the room tilted a little, but I steadied myself. 

I have learned how to hide the dizziness. If they knew how weak these donations made me, they might... I don't know. Replace me? Find someone else?

No. I was the only one with this blood type. That's what made me valuable.

That's the only reason Dominic kept me here.

I must keep my sister alive. She was the only good thing in our family that had not been destroyed by my father's and mother's greed.

“ Ms. Hayes, hope you have not forgotten our agreement?” Dominic, still typing away on his laptop asked. 

I stopped in my tracks and stared at him. I hadn't forgotten. I will never forget.

“ No, Mr. Winter. I will keep myself healthy and alive.”