Chapter 12

Emily dragged Sophie down with her, her mind replaying just one thought: Revenge. As her consciousness blurred, security guards tugged at them, but couldn't tear them apart. Suddenly, a jolt of searing pain shot through her wrist. She forced her eyes open, only to be met with James's shocked and furious stare. James... how I wish I'd never met you. A bitter smile curled on her lips before everything went dark. In a haze, her mind drifted back to college days with James—holding hands, walking home together. Her mom greeted them with a gentle smile, cradling newborn Oliver. But the scene quickly shattered. Her mom, Oliver—everything turned to fragments. She reached out, but they slipped right through her fingers. All around her was a blinding white. Lost, she stumbled through the emptiness. Then, she turned. James was there, staring at her with those cold, distant eyes. “James…” She called out, but he spun around and walked away. She rushed after him, calling his name again and again, but he just kept moving. His silhouette faded, and she collapsed, helpless, unable to speak. Tears streamed down her face as she woke with a gasp. Her head pounded like a swarm of bees buzzed inside her skull, sharp waves of pain pulsing through. As her mind cleared, voices outside the room grew sharper. "The patient is seven weeks pregnant. A liver transplant now would be extremely risky..." "She deserves this! My daughter wouldn't be like this if not for her..." Seven weeks pregnant… Are they talking about me? Emily instinctively placed a hand over her stomach, her gaze softening. Oliver was gone. But now, there was a tiny life growing inside her. Like a fragile green shoot pushing through barren ground, this child gave her something she never thought she'd feel again—hope. Oliver, is this your gift for your sister? Have you come back to be with me? The half-open door creaked wider. James stood among the crowd, his face unreadable. "Sign this." He handed her the document. Emily glanced at the papers, stunned. “Sophie's been diagnosed with early-stage liver cancer. You need to donate part of your liver. This is what you owe her.” His voice was raspy but firm—leaving no room to argue. The coldness in her chest spread deeper. So because Sophie's sick, she's supposed to give up part of herself? And this—this is the man she'd once loved with all her heart. “No,” Emily shut her eyes. “I never owed her anything.” “You have no choice!” a shrill voice snapped back—Sophie's mom. “If anything happens to my daughter, you filthy bitch, I'll make sure you pay for it!”Mrs. Taylor almost lunged forward, but James held her back firmly. He frowned and said, “Ma'am, please wait outside. I'll talk to her.” “No way! If this little—” His face darkened as he cut her off, “Get out.” Mrs. Taylor had no choice. She turned around and shot a vicious glare at Emily. “Fine, I'll go. But if this shameless girl refuses to donate her liver, don't blame the Taylors for being harsh!” The room fell silent, just the two of them left. Emily stared blankly at him, her voice emotionless. “I'm pregnant?” James clenched his fist slightly and said slowly, “Yeah.” She took a sharp breath, eyes reddening. “You're really going to kill our baby for that woman? That's your own child!” James swallowed hard, fists tightening. If she didn't donate, Sophie's family would never let her go. There was never a choice to be made—between her and the child, he'd already picked. Steeling himself, he spoke coldly, “You'll do it whether you want to or not. Don't force me to tie you to that table.” Emily gripped the bedsheet tight, trying to stay calm, but her eyes gave her away—they were begging. “Just... let me have the baby first. I'll do the surgery after. I'll give you my life, okay?” She had lost too much. This child was all she had left, and she'd trade her life for his without a second thought. But James's expression darkened, his tone sharper. “Your life is mine to do with as I please. You don't get to decide anything.” His words hit like icy water dumped straight over her head. Right. Her life, Oliver's, even her grandfather's—it was never really up to them. Why had she ever hoped she'd bring a child into this world, only to suffer like this? She closed her eyes. A single tear slipped down her cheek, full of helplessness. “James...” “I hate you!!!” On the operating table, the lights were blinding. Emily clutched her stomach tightly. She never even got a chance to feel her child move. The medicine crept into her bloodstream, cold steel slicing into her belly. But that pain was nothing compared to the one tearing through her chest. She felt a warm trickle from between her legs, something slipping out of her body. Her baby, ripped away from her. Everything went white. Her body was falling, sinking fast. Was this death? Her mind drifted—her brother, her baby... Bloody memories flashing one after another... She hated. She hated so much.She couldn't accept just being pushed to the edge like this...