Chapter 2

"We'll have to get a divorce first," Zane said, his voice devoid of any warmth.

A high-pitched ringing filled my ears, and for a moment, it felt like my soul was being ripped from my body.

It took a long time before I found my voice again.

"So, that's what you wanted to tell me?"

Zane wouldn't meet my eyes. He just let out a deep sigh.

"Clara, I know Hailey isn't your biological sister, but your father adopted her. She's lived with you for so long. She's family."

"It's just a formality. Fulfilling her final wish is the right thing to do."

"Besides, even with the clinical trial, she doesn't have much time. Once she's gone, I'll still be your husband."

Before I could even react, Olivia walked over and tugged on my sleeve. "Just think of it like a play, okay? For Aunt Hailey's dream."

Her innocent, childish voice pierced my heart like a knife.

I stared at the father and daughter before me.

This man, who once held me so tight and promised to love me forever.

This child, who once cuddled in my arms and called me Mommy.

I had never betrayed anyone. Never hurt anyone.

I tried so hard to be a good daughter, a good sister, a good wife, a good mother. I had given this family my all. I had nothing to be ashamed of.

And now, the people closest to me were working together to strip me of everything.

Love, family—to them, these were things that could be trampled on at will.

But at this point, if Hailey wanted it all, she could have it.

I didn't want any of it anymore.

My lips were chapped, my throat tight, but I simply nodded.

"Okay."

Zane hadn't expected me to agree so easily. A flash of surprise, and even a hint of relief, crossed his eyes.

"Are you serious?"

He didn't waste a second. He pulled a folder from his briefcase and slapped it down on the coffee table in front of me.

He'd had the divorce papers ready all along.

I let out a derisive laugh.

Dr. Zane Pierce, the top surgeon in the city.

So eager to get a divorce that he couldn't even be bothered to pretend otherwise.

For the last time, my signature flowed onto the paper, settling next to his.

Zane watched me sign, his expression a complicated mix of relief, guilt, and a barely perceptible sense of liberation.

"Clara," he said, his voice clear. "Honey, as soon as Hailey is gone, we'll get remarried. I swear, I'll make it up to you."

"You've changed. You're so much more understanding now. I was too selfish before, always busy with work, never taking proper care of you."

"When this is all over, I'll make it right."

Olivia clapped her hands excitedly. "Mommy, you're the best! Does this mean I can call aunt Hailey 'Mommy' now?"

That sentence shattered the last sliver of hope I had left.

I had no expectations for this family anymore.

Now, all I had to do was quietly wait for death.

I stood up, hoping to find a moment of peace washing dishes in the kitchen.

Just as I turned on the tap, a single, warm drop landed on the back of my hand.

Blood. Bright red.

I touched my nose, and my fingers came away stained crimson.

The world tilted on its axis. A violent wave of dizziness crashed over me, and the floor rushed up to meet me before I could even reach for something to hold on to.

In my last moment of consciousness, I saw Zane's panicked face.

When I came to, I smelled dust.

I was still lying on the cold floor.

Zane's brow was furrowed, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes.

"Clara, are you doing this again?"

"The nosebleeds, the fainting… can't you stop being so childish? You don't have to do this just to get out of doing some housework."

Olivia backed away, pinching her nose. "Mommy, we all know you're faking it! It's so lame how you're copying aunt Hailey."

Zane knelt, his eyes full of disappointment.

"Clara, just because we have to sign these papers doesn't mean you're not the one I love. You don't need to pull these little stunts to test me."

I silently dabbed my nose with a tissue.

The bleeding stopped quickly.

And then I understood.

The painkillers didn't just block the agony; they erased it, leaving me looking perfectly healthy on the outside.

For these three days, I was like a normal person.

Even if a symptom occasionally broke through, they would write it off as an emotional outburst.

So, the painkillers were even more effective than I'd imagined.

So effective, they would never suspect a thing.

"I saw your pathology report. You're fine. Your father and brother took Hailey out for some air; I'm going to pick them up now."

For a split second, Zane's expression wavered, but it passed as quickly as it came.

I struggled to my feet, my knees weak but holding.

"It was probably low blood sugar. I'm fine."

I wiped my hands clean and looked at Zane. "When Hailey gets back," I said, a cold smile touching my lips, "I'm giving her the villa. So she can die happy."