Semua Bab The Wife You Never Wanted: Bab 21 - Bab 25

Jared's face shifted, panic flickering in his eyes."Wait, Lucia, do you know—""Yes." Her voice was like steel. "I know everything."She didn't blink."I know you only married me for your family's gain. I know you planned to leave me—just toss me aside. All to punish me for 'stealing' the Lynch heiress title from Alice."She paused, something bitter curling at the edge of her mouth."But Jared... I just want to ask you one thing."Her voice dropped, low and raw."Was it my fault I got lost that year? When the Lynch family found me four years ago, did I have a choice? Even our engagement—it wasn't mine. The Lynch and Dawson families decided that. I was dragged into everything."She looked him dead in the eyes."So why am I the one you all blame?"Then, finally—she said what had burned in her chest for years."Jared, what did I ever do wrong?"He stared at her—at that pale, unreadable face—and it felt like his chest was being ripped apart."No, Lucia, listen to me..." He o

Jared got rushed in for tests. The results? Brutal.Cancer.Some rare, sneaky kind they only caught way too late.The doctor looked grim. "Mr. Dawson, the best shot we've got is stem cell therapy. Ideally from your own child. We can extract during the pregnancy—it's safe for the baby."Jared went still.By then, his parents and Alice had shown up. The second she heard "terminal," Alice snapped.She didn't care about the fights anymore. She bolted to him, grabbing his hand."I'll do it! I'll have your kid! You don't have to marry me or say anything—I'll do it to save you!"And she meant it. They'd grown up together. Yeah, she'd played games, but her love for Jared had always been real. She'd do anything for him.But Jared pulled away, stone cold."I don't want that."Alice went ghost-white.His parents broke down. "Jared, stop being so stubborn!"Alice, eyes swimming, tried again. "Fine. Then find someone else. A donor, IVF, anything. Just—just live.""I don't want that ei

Lucia froze. Jared was really gone.Khelmark. Cemetery.She stood in front of his gravestone, staring at that black-and-white photo. Her face unreadable.She never thought that goodbye six months ago would be their last. That the next time she'd see him... it'd be like this.Francesca, watching her, finally spoke."Lucia, do you blame me? Jared did send someone. Said he wouldn't take treatment unless you had his child. But you said you didn't care if he lived or died... so I decided not to tell you. If there's blame, it's mine."Lucia blinked, then gave a soft smile."Mom, what are you saying? You were clear from the start. I'm the one who said it didn't matter. That choice was mine."Francesca's eyes wavered. "But if I had told you..."Lucia stayed calm."Wouldn't have mattered. I still wouldn't have saved him. His life was his own—not some chain to tie me down."Turns out, Jared had meant what he said. After Lucia turned him down, he turned away every other woman willing t