Chapter 3

"You know what? I'll gladly make room for Cecilia," I said. "You both can be the perfect, loving family with two kids, and I won't be in your way anymore."

I looked Charlie straight in the eye and finally said the words I had been holding back. "Let's get a divorce."

His brow furrowed slightly, that familiar expression whenever he was displeased. "I'm not divorcing you. You never think about the consequences of your actions, and I'm not about to act crazy with you."

I couldn't help but laugh. "Ever since Cecilia arrived, she's been getting hurt for no reason, and everyone assumes it's me. Well, my leaving solves that, doesn't it? No one can hurt your precious woman anymore."

The light in his eyes went out. "You're not going anywhere, Harps."

I was about to tell him that I had recovered all my memories, that this wasn't my home anymore, and I wanted to go back to the place that truly belonged to me, but he spoke again.

"Actually, there's one thing I'm here to talk about," Charlie said. "Cecilia has leukemia. She urgently needs a bone marrow transplant. There's no suitable donor right now—only you match her."

My heart dropped. "I've already given her everything, and now, you want my bone marrow, too?"

This was the reason he didn't want to divorce me. He wanted to use me dry.

"You heartless, evil mother! It's pitiful enough that Cecilia's dying!" Dominic chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

He had no idea what a bone marrow transplant was. All he knew was that I was obligated to help his precious new mom no matter what.

"Mom, just help Cecilila this time. Maybe Dad will let things go and won't divorce you," Dakota added. "You always taught us to be kind, so why is it when it comes to you, you won't be?"

These brats were clearly on Charlie's side.

"Well, I refuse," I replied definitively, glaring at Charlie.

No wonder he had suddenly left the hospital where he had been watching over Cecilia to come back here.

"What right do you have to take my bone marrow for her? If you love her that much, use your own!"

Charlie seemed frustrated, as if resigned to my defiance. "Harps, if you hadn't poisoned Cecilia, she wouldn't have gotten leukemia."

He snapped his fingers, and his bodyguards rushed in from outside. "You owe her this."

The bodyguards restrained me, trying to drag me to the hospital by force.

"Charlie, are you trying to murder me?" I screamed, struggling with everything I had. "I've recovered my memories! If you hurt me, my family will not let you off the hook!"

He ignored me completely. "Enough with the act, Harps. I'm your husband. How could I ever hurt you? It's just a bone marrow transplant. You save Cecilia's life, the kids will thank you, and our family can stay together."

The three of them watched coldly as the bodyguards dragged me away.

Even pinned to the hospital bed, with the cold anesthesia flowing into my veins, I refused to yield. I cursed and struggled until darkness crept over me.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, a sudden commotion erupted nearby. Then, everything went black. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in a room I didn't recognize.

"Harps, don't worry. I'll never let those Lockwoods get away with this!"

"Oh, you're finally awake!" a middle-aged woman beside me exclaimed, tears streaking her face, but she held my hand with visible joy.

"Am I… dead?"