3. Framed

~Alexa

Justin dropped the phone he was holding and dashed toward me without hesitation. The concern in his eyes was undeniably intense, like I was clutching his very life in my hands. Or maybe, it felt more like he had been the one stabbed.

“What did you do to her? Why did you stab her?” he demanded, his voice sharp and authoritative.

“I didn’t do it, Justin. I was only—”

He snatched Gia from my grasp before I could finish.

“Gia… Gia!” he called out, warming her hands between his.

Her eyes fluttered open weakly, and she leaned into me, her frail body trembling. As her gaze landed on me, she pointed a shaky finger.

“She did this to me… I was only trying to explain… I just wanted her to understand…” Her voice was barely a whisper, thinning out with every word.

“You don’t need to say another word, Gia,” Justin cut in, firm and protective. “I won’t let anything happen to you—or our baby.”

Then his eyes shifted to me, burning with fury.

“Pray nothing happens to Gia. If something does, you’ll pay dearly for it,” he growled.

He scooped Gia into his arms and walked off without a backward glance. As they left, Gia peeked over Justin’s shoulder and winked at me, her lips curling into a cruel smile.

That woman is a liar. Not only did she lie about being pregnant, she also faked her own stabbing too.

And Justin? He didn’t believe a word I said. The way he held her, the way he looked at her, he’s never shown me that kind of care.

But I won’t give up. I have to tell him the truth. I need to clear my name before things get any worse.

Without wasting time, I rushed toward the ward where Gia had been admitted. As I neared the door, I overheard the doctor’s voice.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Milton, but we couldn’t save the baby. The stab wound was too deep. The baby didn’t survive.”

Justin staggered back at those words, eyes reddening with pain.

“And Gia?” he asked quickly, desperate.

The doctor paused, letting out a long, solemn breath.

“She’s in critical condition. I’m afraid if nothing is done urgently…”

“What do you mean by that?” Justin interrupted, brows furrowing. “Is she not going to make it?”

The doctor’s expression turned serious, almost calculating as he fixed his eyes on Justin.

“She’s lost a significant amount of blood and needs an urgent transfusion. Unfortunately, our blood bank is empty. If we don’t act fast, she won’t survive.”

“What’s her blood type?” Justin asked, already bracing himself.

“Rh Negative. It’s quite rare these days,” the doctor replied.

At that exact moment, Justin turned and spotted me. Our eyes locked, and I saw it– the scorn, the raw hatred. His fists clenched tightly by his sides.

That look alone told me everything. I was finished. I could already guess what he was going to say next.

I am Rh Negative. Would he really ask me to donate?

Before I could think further, his hand closed around my wrist, his grip iron-tight. Pain shot up my arm.

“Justin, that hurts!” I cried, wincing, trying to pull away as tears welled in my eyes.

“You still have the nerve to beg?” he shouted, his voice laced with fury. “You’re a murderer!”

I struggled against his grip, sobbing harder. “I told you, Justin. I didn’t hurt Gia. She did thiat to herself! She stabbed herself and pinned it all on me!”

“Liar!” he roared, the word bouncing off the walls. He flung my arm aside. “You’re pathetic, Alexa. Because of you, Gia and I lost our baby. You killed her!”

I lowered my voice, trying to sound calm, respectful even.

“Gia lied about the pregnancy. She was never carrying your child. She faked all of this just to make it look like I’m the villain. She planned it all with the doctor. They all did…”

“Shut up. Just shut your damn mouth!” he snapped, his rage escalating. I’ve rarely seen him this angry. Then again, we barely speak, except when he wants sex. That’s all we’ve ever had.

But still, I held my tongue and let him speak, his voice now icily controlled.

“You’re Rh Negative just like Gia,” he said, finally calm. “She needs blood immediately. Go in with the doctor. Cooperate and maybe I’ll consider forgiving you.”

I slowly shook my head. I couldn’t do it. The doctor had warned me. I couldn’t afford to risk my child’s life.

With trembling hands, I reached for Justin’s, my eyes pleading.

“No, Justin. I’m pregnant. With your baby. The doctor told me not to undergo any transfusions. If I do, I could lose the baby…”

He slapped my hand away coldly. “And you think I care about that? Do you think I give a fuck about your pregnancy?" he sneered, glaring at me. “I don’t give a damn whether you’re pregnant or not. You were the person who put Gia in that condition. If only you hadn't stabbed her then we'd not be in this place! You will donate your blood. That’s not a request, it’s an order.”

"No Jus...No, please you have to..."

He ignored me, turning to leave, but I fell to my knees and grabbed his legs, begging.

“Please, Justin… It's our baby. If I go through with this, he could die!”

“You and your baby can rot in hell, I don’t care!” he muttered and pushed me away.

Still clinging to his trousers, I didn’t let go. I cried really hard. But he kicked me aside and faced the doctor.

“Take her to the ward. Draw as much blood as needed. Don’t stop until I tell you to.”