Chapter 4

After drawing my blood, Natalie came to see me of her own accord.

In her hands was the latest experimental drug from overseas. It used to be one of the medications Micah had needed most.

At the very least, it could have kept his condition from progressing to brain death.

"I've also brought in specialists from abroad. They can treat Micah at any time.

"The doctors said he's close to waking up, didn't they? Maybe he'll wake up this time. Then, the two of you can finally be reunited."

We had been married for many years, so I knew that this was Natalie's way of extending an olive branch to me. Unfortunately, I no longer needed it.

When she saw my unmoved expression, she frowned in confusion.

"Andy's condition is special. He can't survive without your blood," she defended.

I let out a mocking laugh and looked at her.

"Is there no one else in this world who shares his blood type? Does it have to be me?

"It's just a little anemia. Will he really die from something like that?"

Natalie's expression instantly darkened. She snatched the experimental drug off the table.

"I try to help you, and this is how you repay me? Micah deserves to be stuck lying in that bed.

"Even if you beg me later, I won't give you this medicine. Your brother can just wait for death."

I watched her walk away and smiled bitterly.

It wasn't like Micah could die a second time anyway.

…

On the day of the family dinner, Natalie brought Andy with her.

They were probably mindful of Madeline's presence, so the two didn't appear particularly intimate.

Madeline merely glanced at Andy before speaking.

"Nat, I called you and Julian here today because I have something important to announce. Your brother is returning to the country tomorrow. I'll arrange for him to join the company.

"Your father left behind 20% of his shares. I'm not playing favorites, but the things you've been doing outside the company have been affecting its reputation."

Natalie immediately shot to her feet, staring at her mother in disbelief.

"Mom! You promised you'd let me join the company!

"Dad said those 20% of shares belonged to me! How could you give all of them to your illegitimate son? I'm your daughter too!"

Her eyes instantly reddened, her voice choking with emotion.

But Madeline remained completely composed.

"Frankly, you should be grateful to Julian for all these years. He may have neither power nor influence, but every time you caused trouble, he always cleaned up after you. Otherwise, do you really think you could've gotten away with behaving however you pleased for this long?

"However, you went too far this time. Micah was Julian's brother! Even if I allow you to join the company, the shareholders won't."

Natalie's nails dug deeply into her palms as she finally connected the dots.

All her years of fighting and resisting had ultimately been paying the way for her mother and her half-brother.

"You spent all these years scheming for that illegitimate son of yours! You made me marry Julian, and now you're even trying to rewrite Dad's will! How could you do this? And you call yourself human?"

She trembled with rage before suddenly turning to me.

"You! It's all your fault! You and Mom have been working together against me! You're on the same side as Henry!"

Natalie screamed and shrieked, sweeping every dish off the table and sending them crashing to the floor.

I lowered my head and ignored her.

Madeline's expression turned livid at Natalie's insults.

She slammed a divorce agreement onto the table.

"Micah is dead! You caused his death! Don't you understand? I can't stand to see this anymore. You and Julian are ending this marriage arrangement. From this moment on, you're free."