All Chapters of What He Stole, I Took Back in Blood: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

The phone blared, and my husband's voice crackled through. "Come to the hospital! Karl had an accident!"That call hit like a sledgehammer, yanking me back to the day that shattered my life. I was reborn, thrust into the moment where it all began.In my last life, my husband and our son had conned me into giving up my corneas, leaving me blind and broken.I took a steadying breath and replied, "Got it."My voice was calm, but inside, my heart pounded with purpose. I grabbed my purse, headed downstairs, and hailed a cab to the hospital.In the ward, Tyler Finley threw his arms around me, his sobs theatrical and rehearsed. "What are we gonna do? Karl's lost his sight in a car crash."I peeled myself from his clammy embrace and walked to the bed. Karl Finley lay there, his cheeks flushed with a healthy glow that screamed he was faking. He didn't look like someone who'd just survived a wreck.His injured vibe was a total sham, but I'd fully trusted them in my past life, offering up

Chapter 2

The door swung open, and a doctor strode in.I recognized him. Matteo Skinner was one of Tyler's sleazy friends."I'm so sorry," he said, his face a mask of regret. "Karl's eyesight is likely gone for good."He handed me a diagnosis report. In my last life, that same paper had sealed my fate. I'd swallowed their lies whole, never suspecting Tyler had roped him into forging it."Karl's too young to live in darkness forever," Matteo went on, piling on the fake sympathy. "A retinal transplant is his only shot."Tyler jumped in, playing the devoted dad. "Money's no object. I'd sell the house, the cars, everything for him."Matteo nodded gravely. "Problem is, the hospital is out of retinas. It could be a two- to five-year wait."Right on cue, Karl burst into tears. "I don't wanna be blind, Mom. Save me."His wails were gut-wrenching, designed to break any mother's heart. But I knew better this time."There is one option," Matteo said, his tone heavy. "A family member could donate."

Chapter 3

"What? No way!" Tyler sputtered, waving his hands."What's the problem?" I pressed. "You said you'd do anything for Karl. Backing out already?"He forced a stiff grin, his teeth practically grinding. "I'd do anything for him. It's just..."I didn't let him finish. "Great. I'll find the doctor to book your surgery right away."I took one step toward the door before he yanked me back. "If I go blind, who's gonna put food on the table? We need to think this through."I spun to Karl. "I wanted to help, but I couldn't. Your dad is just flat-out refusing. If you're pissed, take it up with him.""Let's go home for now," Karl muttered. "We'll deal with the surgery later."Tyler jumped on it. "Yeah, you two handle the discharge papers. I gotta talk to Matteo."I watched him scurry off, no doubt rushing to soothe Rachel in the next room. I slipped out after him, keeping to the shadows."Rachel, hang tight," Tyler whispered. "Stephanie's got some health issues. She can't donate yet."Ra

Chapter 4

The aroma of sizzling steak and garlic butter woke Karl.He hadn't eaten anything, but his stomach was roaring. He flung open his door and froze at the sight of me tearing into a lobster tail with one hand and a king crab leg with the other.The dining table groaned under a feast of gourmet dishes."My life's falling apart, and you're stuffing your face?" Karl roared, his voice cracking with hunger as he swallowed hard. "Doesn't my pain mean anything to you?"I dropped the crab leg with a satisfying clunk and fixed him with a cold stare. "How do you know I'm eating?"Karl stiffened, his hand darting to his eyes. "I-I smelled it."Then he lost it, sweeping his arms across the table, sending plates and food crashing to the floor. He grabbed a kitchen knife, waving it like a maniac. "I don't wanna be blind! What's the point of living? I'd rather die!"The blade slashed through the air, catching my arm. Blood gushed as I stared at the mess—shattered dishes, spilled food, and my arm

Chapter 5

The door creaked open, and Tyler poked his head in. "Honey, you okay? You look wiped out. Work is killing you, huh?"I tried to speak, but my tongue felt like lead. No sound came out."You've been running yourself into the ground for Karl. You're sick," he continued, grabbing my hand to see if I could resist. "Come on. I'm getting you to the hospital."With every ounce of strength, I fumbled for my phone and managed to tap my mom's contact.The call connected. "Hello, my darling."Tyler snatched the phone, his voice smooth as oil. "Mom, it's Tyler. Stephanie is out cold and must've butt-dialed you."He hung up, his face twisting into a venomous smirk. "No need to worry about her at this hour. Old people get spooked easily."He yanked me up roughly, and I could barely keep my eyes open. As he dragged me toward the door, I knocked a vase off the desk. It shattered with a deafening crash.Tyler flinched, then leaned in close. "Save your energy. I sent everyone home. It's just us i

Chapter 6

"That bastard tried to rip out your corneas for his side piece?" Grace growled, indignant.I nodded, my voice cold as steel. "And don't forget my sweet son, Karl. He was all in on it, too."Grace's jaw hit the floor. It was unthinkable that the boy I'd carried for nine months, raised with every ounce of my love, would betray me for a stranger."Forget it," I said, sinking into her couch. "Thanks to you, I've still got my eyes."I was exhausted but relieved. Lying next to someone I trusted, I felt safe and drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep, the weight of the day melting away."Wake up, Stephanie. Your company's imploding!" Grace's voice jolted me awake the next morning.She shoved her phone in my face, the headline screaming: Moon Group's CEO Retweets Hateful Comments About National Athletes.My social media was a war zone. Comments flooded in, each more vicious than the last.[What kind of person trashes our Olympic heroes?][I've got her address. Sending a coffin her way.]

Chapter 7

"Stephanie's gotta be losing her mind now," Tyler sneered, spitting on the floor of my house. Her stock is tanking, her partners are bolting, and her company is circling the drain. Soon, she'll be begging me for mercy. God knows how much I hate her high-and-mighty princess act!"Then he turned to Rachel, his voice softening as he took her hands. "Don't worry, babe. You're too gorgeous to stay blind. I'll make sure you see again."They locked lips, oblivious to the cameras I'd secretly installed in the house.A loud knock broke their moment, and Tyler snapped, "Who is it?""You're under investigation for spreading false rumors. Come with us," replied a police officer.Tyler's face drained of color. He'd thought his plan was airtight.A sharp-dressed lawyer stepped forward. "I'm Moon Group's attorney. You've slandered the company, and we're suing for defamation."Tyler's eyes bugged out, sweat soaking his shirt.Days later, a scruffy, hollow-eyed Tyler appeared in an apology vide

Chapter 8

"My eyes! I can't see!" Tyler's scream echoed through the hospital room."Relax. It's normal to lose vision after donating retinas. You'll adjust," a nurse said, trying to calm him."Donating retinas? Are you kidding me?" Tyler's head throbbed from his bender, his memory a blank slate.Rachel's voice cut through. "Tyler, thank you. Your generosity gave me my sight back.""Rachel? What is going on?" he asked.She perched on the edge of his bed, her phone glowing as she read. "You texted me last night, saying you'd give me your retinas so I could see again. Forgot already?""What? I didn't do that." Tyler bolted upright, but the darkness swallowed him."Too bad you can't read the texts now," Rachel said, her tone dripping with pity. "We're done, Tyler. Matteo will take care of me. Goodbye.""Matteo? You're screwing up my best friend?" Tyler lunged, but his blindness sent him crashing to the floor.Rachel's laugh was sharp and cruel. "Now you know what it's like to be blind. Jobl

Chapter 9

"Mom, please, save me!" Karl stood in the doorway, a ghost of the cocky high schooler he'd been.His clothes were filthy, and his face was gaunt, crisscrossed with fresh scars. His once-sparkling eyes were dull and haunted."I was wrong, Mom. Save me, please," he pleaded, his voice breaking. "At Willow Academy, they beat me for nothing. The food is moldy, and I saw a kid hang himself right in front of me."I stared at him, my heart cold as stone."I'm your son. You can't turn your back on me," he added.I slapped him, the crack echoing in the quiet house. Then again, harder.His head snapped to the side, his cheek swelling instantly."Stand still!" I barked.He obeyed, trembling like a leaf. I kept going, my hand stinging with each blow until it was red and throbbing. Karl's face looked like a bruised peach, barely recognizable."I'm not your mom! You tried to steal my sight for some random woman. I raised you, loved you, and you betrayed me like I was nothing!" I snapped. "Yo

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