Chapter 2

2

The line went dead. When I tried to call back, it went straight to voicemail.

He had blocked me.

The doctors were rushing around, and my mother's monitor was flatlining.

I couldn't waste another second. I hailed a cab and sped toward the private clinic where Saskia was staying.

Silas had moved her to the best luxury medical center in the city, one owned by his own firm.

When my mother first got sick, I begged him to put her there, but he refused.

I kept telling the driver to go faster.

Every second I lost was a second closer to my mother's death.

When I burst into the clinic, I saw Saskia being wheeled toward the surgery wing.

"Stop!"

I lunged forward to block the gurney.

Silas was standing right there. His face twisted with annoyance when he saw me.

"Elora, are you insane? You followed us here? You really are pathetic."

I knew how bad Mom was. Silas held her life in his hands, so I swallowed my pride and my rage.

"Silas, please. Mom is in critical condition. Let Saskia wait. She's not dying! Mom is literally dying right now!"

Silas knew the truth, but he didn't care.

"When are you going to stop lying to get your way?"

"I know your mother's health. It's a minor procedure. She can wait a few hours. Kidney failure? Who are you trying to pull a fast one on?"

"Saskia is young and she's stayed by my side through everything. I have a responsibility to her."

He shoved me hard, nearly knocking me over.

"Get lost! Stop being an eyesore."

The doctors were starting the prep because of his orders. I didn't care about my dignity anymore. I dropped to my knees.

"I know you hate me, Silas. But we've been married for years. My mother treated you like her own son. Can you really watch her die?"

His face only grew more cold.

"Cut the crap! Your mom has had those 'issues' forever. I know her game. She isn't going to die."

"Don't try to threaten me with her life."

Saskia, lying on the bed, finally spoke. Her voice wasn't weak like it was on the phone.

"It's okay, Silas. Give the kidney to her mother. Maybe it really is an emergency. I can wait. It's just a shame I won't be able to recover and help you at the office soon."

Silas immediately took her hand, his eyes filled with pity. Then he glared at me.

"Look at her! Then look at yourself!"

"Why can't you be more like Saskia? Be a bigger person! I must have been blind to marry such a manipulative woman."

He turned back to Saskia with a soft smile.

"Don't worry, babe. I know her mom's tricks. She doesn't need this. Elora is just petty and doesn't want me here with you."

"Don't be scared. Just sleep. When you wake up, it'll all be over."

His affection for her was nauseating.

I felt my heart die. I begged one last time, but he just sneered.

"I said no. If you want to keep cursing your mother to death, then let her die!"

"Now get out of here, or I'll divorce you!"

With a snap of his fingers, Saskia was rolled into the operating room.

His bodyguards stepped forward to block my path.

I watched the last spark of hope for my mother's life vanish behind those double doors.

As I watched his back walk away, the last bit of love I had for him shattered into pieces.

Silas and I actually used to be happy.

But everything changed when Saskia showed up.

He became obsessed with this younger woman.

Their relationship went way beyond boss and assistant a long time ago.

I had tried to talk to him about it before, but he'd just blow up at me.

He called me small-minded. He said I was tarnishing their "pure friendship."

He used the word divorce as a weapon every time I brought her up.

To him, Saskia always came first.