Chapter 7

The words made Angelina gasp. She suddenly felt eerily calm. Her heart seemed dead. "You're right." She heard her own voice float from her throat. "There is no reason for me to love you anymore." The words, soft and light, landed like a boulder in the stagnant pond of Leo's heart, stirring ripples he hadn't anticipated. Unaccountable irritation and panic seized him. He looked at Angelina's lifeless eyes, the raw, bloody welts on her wrists from the restraints... A powerful sense of losing control wrapped around him, making him restless. "You..." He opened his mouth, finding his throat blocked. Angelina no longer looked at him. She had exhausted all her strength, closing her eyes wearily as she sank back into the pillow. "Get out." She whispered. "Take her, and get out of my room." "Angelina! You..." Leo's anger flared again, but seeing her unresponsive, it dissipated uselessly, like a punch into cotton. Samantha in his arms tugged gently at his sleeve, coughing weakly. "Leo, let's go. Angelina needs rest..." Leo shot a furious glare at the motionless figure on the bed. Finally, holding Samantha, he stormed out, slamming the door shut behind him. He held Samantha close, murmuring comfort: "Sammy, don't worry. "I'll secure you the world's most expensive medical care. Don't worry about the kidney donor. "Once Angelina gives birth, I'll arrange the surgery immediately to transplant her kidney to you. "You will live!" Samantha, hearing she had to wait until Angelina gave birth, frowned slightly. "Darling, does she have to have the baby?..." Leo, interpreting this as possessiveness, held her hand tightly, full of guilt. "I know, loving someone deeply means not tolerating another's presence. "But there's no choice. Angelina is recognized by our family; only her child can be legitimate. "But don't worry, I'll remove any obstacles for our child..." She buried her face deep into Leo's chest, arms wrapping tightly around his waist: "Leo, thank you. I knew only you would be truly good to me..." However, pressed against his suit jacket, her face betrayed her. A smile curved her lips uncontrollably. Her eyes held not a trace of tears. Angelina lay alone in the cold hospital bed. Profound weariness washed over her. She closed her eyes, trying to forget everything, craving rest. But fate seemed to deny her even that respite. The next day, a prenatal report landed on Leo's phone. Angelina's room was suddenly invaded. "Mr. Hayes," the doctor adjusted his glasses, continuing. "Miss Crawford's pregnancy hormone levels are abnormal. Combined with the previous drowning and psychological trauma... the fetus... is unlikely to survive." Leo's gaze towards Angelina shifted to disappointment. "Perfect. Proceed with the transplant surgery immediately." Leo answered coldly. "I refuse!" Angelina shrieked, using all her strength to shield her belly. "Don't touch me! Get out!" The doctor was cold as a machine. "We will arrange the safest procedure. Don't worry, it's minor surgery. Minimal impact on your health." Angelina struggled desperately. The wounds on her wrists reopened. Blood stained the white sheets, but she felt no pain, only overwhelming terror. Leo, finally provoked by her fierce resistance, strode forward, radiating suffocating authority. A hand, cold as an iron clamp, seized Angelina's wrist. "Angelina, why won't you save a life?" "How can you bear to destroy my happiness?"