Chapter 2

The date on the receipt burns my eyes.

That day. I waited in the VIP clinic for four whole hours for my first checkup.

For one reason only. Cillian promised me. He promised to look at our baby's first ultrasound picture together.

I called Cillian. I just wanted to hear his voice.

What was his answer?

"Liliana touched raw toxins in the lab. She is throwing up badly. I must stay and take care of her. Stop bothering me with little things."

His "care" meant taking her to the nation’s top fertility clinic.

I stare dead at the phone. The speaker is still on.

"You went to a fertility clinic with her?" My voice shakes.

Cillian sighs softly on the other end. So helpless. Dealing with an unreasonable child.

"Ava. Stop complicating things. She is always sick. She needs the best expert. She lost her parents. She is all alone. I owe her father my life. Taking care of her is my duty."

"For a sickness? At a fertility clinic?"

"They just have the best authorities there." He rubs his temples. His voice is tired. "You are the Donna of the Burke Family. You are my wife. You have everything. Why are you so hostile to a harmless girl? You disappoint me."

Call ended.

Always like this. He uses the most righteous tone. He blames everything on my "jealousy."

Next day. Seven in the evening.

The ward door opens. Heavy footsteps.

Cillian is here.

He steps closer. A heavy musk cologne floods the room.

His favorite scent. Very aggressive.

But ever since I got pregnant, it became my nightmare. It makes me gag.

My stomach churns. I cover my mouth. I dry heave.

Cillian stops.

He frowns slightly. He looks at my pale face. A hint of worry flashes in his eyes.

"Still sick?" He walks to the bed. He reaches out to rub my back. "The doctor says the heartbeat is there. Just rest. I hired the best nursing team in the hospital for you. Do not push yourself too hard."

I turn my head away. I dodge his hand.

His hand freezes in the air. He pulls it back helplessly.

"I came today to discuss something."

He sits on the sofa. He pulls out a file.

"Next week is the 'Eden' core distribution bid. Liliana will take your place on stage."

My whole body shakes. I snap my head up to look at him.

'Eden' is my life’s work. Two years of blood and sweat. Countless sleepless nights. I fused my Monroe family's core neurology data to create this legend.

Just a tiny dose cuts off all pain. It brings ultimate euphoria. It leaves zero traces in the blood. A cash cow. It will rewrite the entire North American black market.

That is my life.

"What did you say?" I ask in disbelief.

Cillian drops a credit transfer agreement on my bed.

"Sign this before nine. We need a public announcement. We are announcing Liliana as the lead creator of 'Eden'."

I laugh out loud. Tears spin in my eyes.

"Her talent? She cannot even tell basic chemical bonds apart! You want me to hand my life over to her?"

"Ava. Watch your tone." Cillian softens his voice. But it is a pure threat. "This shows unity to our allies. Lili needs a shiny title to survive in the Family. The elders will never accept her otherwise."

"So you use my life to pave her road? Just because her father took a bullet for you?!"

"Do not make it sound so ugly." He frowns. Confused by my anger. "You are my wife. Your status is untouchable. You have me. That is enough. Giving her a little glory changes nothing. Consider it paying back my debt for me. Okay?"

I stare dead at him.

I loved this man for seven years.

He doesn't even feel cruel. He thinks I am just being petty. He thinks keeping the title of his wife is my biggest blessing.

"What if I refuse?" I tremble.

Cillian sighs. His eyes turn cold with absolute authority.

"I am the Don. I must weigh the big picture. I hate people testing my patience. If you refuse to sign, I will force it through. I will put all the credit under her name. Helping her is non-negotiable. I am asking you to sign to protect your dignity."

He thinks he is protecting me. A fair compromise.

Two years of work. Stomach bleeding for the research. To him, it is just a tool. A toy to snatch away and comfort someone else.

Bone-chilling cold takes over my body.

I clench my fists. My nails dig deep into my palms. I use the pain to stay awake.

"Cillian."

I look right into his eyes. Word by word.

"We are done."

The room goes silent for a second.

Cillian freezes. Then he shakes his head. "More angry words."

He stands up. He tucks my blanket in. So confident and arrogant.

"I keep you protected under my wing. Where else could you go? I know you feel wronged. I will compensate you properly later."

He checks his watch.

"I have business to handle. Sign it by nine. Stop throwing tantrums, Ava."

He turns around and leaves the room. Heavy, steady steps. Zero hesitation.

His tone is so confident. Like every order he gave before. Confident I will obey.

But this time. I am truly exhausted.