Chapter 8

“A uterine procedure?” Marcus’s voice was low, edged with confusion.

The doctor explained, “It could be caused by uterine fibroids. Sometimes surgery is necessary.”

Marcus’s expression darkened. “Remove Cecilia’s uterus and show it to Lucy. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying. She can’t keep crying like this. Do the surgery as soon as possible.”

“It will have to be done until the anesthetic takes full effect,” the doctor said.

Marcus shot him an impatient look, irritation creeping into his voice.

“Cecilia is already unconscious. Just take it out now.”

Tears slid silently from the corners of Cecilia’s eyes.

They were going to remove her uterus just to stop Lucy from crying.

Removal of the uterus caused massive blood loss. When Cecilia woke up again, two days had passed.

Marcus’s cold eyes gleamed with a ruthless darkness.

“You're awake.”

Cecilia’s throat was dry. She barely managed to speak before Marcus’s icy voice cut her off.

“You lost a lot of blood. Lucy donated blood to save you. Cecilia, you should be grateful. Do you understand?”

Lucy sat beside the bed, quietly peeling an orange, looking shy but determined.

“Marcus, I didn’t help Cecilia so she would thank me. I know how much you care about her. If giving half my blood could save her, I’d do it. I’d give everything I have—even if it meant dying.”

Her words sounded sincere and heartfelt.

Marcus’s next sentence, however, was cold and merciless.

“Cecilia, what you owe Lucy—you’ll repay with your status.”

Cecilia stared at him.

There was no warmth left in his eyes.

Suppressing the pain in her body, she forced herself to sit up.

Marcus immediately strode over and grabbed her arm roughly.

“What are you doing? You don’t care whether I live or die. You don’t care whether Lucy lives or dies. Cecilia, you owe us.”

Her face was pale as death, but her gaze remained calm and icy.

A faint, mocking smile curved her lips.

“Marcus… is this really my debt to you?”

Not far away, Lucy suddenly began to cry.

“Marcus, I don’t want anything. I just want you and Cecilia to be happy. I’ll be fine. I’ll disappear and never see you again.”

With those words, Lucy fainted.

Marcus released Cecilia instantly and hurried to catch Lucy in his arms.

His eyes flashed with anger.

“Cecilia, not everyone will tolerate your temper. After Lucy donated blood to save you, she stayed by your bedside the entire time, afraid you wouldn’t wake up.

“We never betrayed you. You should be grateful.

“Your grandfather is gone. You don’t even have family here anymore.”

At that moment, Cecilia suddenly realized how foolish her decision had been—to stay behind for Marcus instead of leaving with her parents back then.

Marcus rushed out of the room carrying Lucy, leaving Cecilia alone with the pain.

Cecilia endured the pain and left the hospital. She opened her phone to find numerous messages from the lawyer.

“Miss Summer, the other buyers have arrived. They’re ready to sign the agreement.”

She returned to the law firm and finalized the sale of the remaining Summer family assets.

As for the shares Marcus had transferred to her before their marriage, she had already chosen the buyer—his greatest rival, Lucas Paterson.

She sent Lucas a message.

“Prepare 30 billion. I’m selling all my shares in the Leedon Group to you.”

His reply came quickly.

“Okay.”

Originally, Cecilia had planned to return Marcus’s shares to him, even after discovering his affair.

She wanted to preserve the last bit of dignity between them.

But after everything that had happened, she had changed her mind.

She would destroy the Leedon family.

And she would destroy Marcus along with it.

Just as he had destroyed her.

She lifted her gaze toward the distant shopping mall.

On the giant outdoor screen, Marcus’s public announcement was playing repeatedly.

It showed Marcus standing beside Lucy, making a heartfelt declaration.

“I would like to clarify something.”

“There are rumors claiming that Cecilia Summer and I are married. That is a misunderstanding.”

“Seven years ago, the woman I married was Lucy Garnett.”

“Because I wanted to protect my wife, I asked my friend, Cecilia, to help me. That’s how the rumors started.”

“Now that the truth is out, I want everyone to know—”

“I, Marcus Leedon, have only ever been married to Lucy Garnett.”