Chapter 5

"I told you, this is something you have to go through. If I don't break your wings completely, how else would you ever choose to stay with me?"

She said it as if it were obvious, as if pushing me into the abyss were the greatest gift she could give me.

I closed my eyes. I did not want to look at her hypocritical face anymore.

Hudson stood off to the side, and a flash of jealousy crossed his eyes as he watched Adeline lower herself for me. "Wow, Ms. Wray, you're really devoted. Too bad no matter how hard you try, his marrow is still coming to me in the end."

Adeline rose and shot Hudson a cold look. "Mr. Lowry, I'd watch it if I were you. If he hadn't wanted to save you, do you really think you'd still be alive?"

Hudson's expression changed. He gave a cold huff, turned, and went back to the guest room.

That evening, Evelyn hurried home from the office. She brought back a pile of expensive health supplements, all of them for Hudson.

At dinner, I sat at the far end of the table and watched Evelyn serve Hudson the best cut of salmon. "Eat up, Hudson. You'll need your strength for the surgery tomorrow."

Hudson smiled obediently and glanced my way. "Evelyn, he keeps staring at us. Do you think he wants some too?"

Evelyn frowned without turning her head. "He doesn't need to eat. He's an angel. He won't starve."

I set down my fork quietly. It was true that I could not feel hunger, but I could feel the life draining out of my body.

After dinner, Evelyn called me into the study and handed me a document. "Sign this."

I looked down. It was a consent form for voluntary bone marrow donation.

I pushed it away. "I won't sign it. Evelyn, I'm not your property."

Evelyn slammed her hand on the desk and shot to her feet. "Elio! Don't make this harder than it has to be! I've taken care of you for three years! I taught you how to fit into this world, and this is how you repay me? It's just a little bone marrow. It's not going to kill you!"

I looked at her furious face. "And after that? Will you let me go?"

Evelyn froze. It seemed she had never considered that I might leave. "Go? Where would you even go?"

She let out a cold laugh. "You don't even have ID. Without me, you don't legally exist. Just be good and sign it, and once Hudson gets better, you'll still be my husband."

I shook my head. "I don't want to be your husband anymore. I just want to leave."

Evelyn's face turned livid. She grabbed my chin and forced me to look up at her. "Where do you think you're going? To Adeline? You think she's any better? All she wants is the power inside you! Elio, you're mine in this life, and you'll still be mine after you die!"

She pulled a pen out of the drawer, forced it into my right hand, and dragged my hand across the signature line in one heavy stroke. "There."

Evelyn let go and looked at the signature with satisfaction. "Eight o'clock tomorrow morning. I'll see you at the hospital."

She took the form and walked out of the study, locking the door behind her.

I was shut inside the study. Outside, a heavy rain had begun to fall. I went to the window and pushed it open, and a bone‑chilling wind swept the rain against my face.

I wanted to jump. This was only the second floor, which was not high for me. If I jumped and ran into the night, maybe I could find my way home.