Chapter 3

3

I hung up and started packing a small bag. I planned to spend the night in the guest room.

Suddenly, Caleb kicked the door open. He looked like he had been through a war.

He grabbed my wrist and started dragging me toward the hallway.

"You heartless woman. Macy has severe anemia because of the stress you caused. You're coming to the hospital to give her a transfusion!"

I stumbled, the skin on my wrist stinging from his grip.

"Let go of me! Whatever happens to her is none of my business!"

Caleb didn't listen. His grip tightened until I winced.

"Clara, I am not asking you. Don't push me!"

"The doctor said she needs blood immediately. You both have that rare Rh-negative type. You're going to take responsibility for this!"

He shoved me into his car and sped toward the hospital.

Macy was lying in a hospital bed with an oxygen mask. She looked pale, like she was on the verge of death.

But when she saw me, her eyes flitted toward Caleb with a look of feigned weakness, while a tiny, triumphant smirk touched her lips.

Caleb shoved me into a chair next to the bed.

"She has the right blood type. Take it. Take as much as she needs!"

The nurse looked at me, seeing me struggle. She hesitated.

"Sir, the lady doesn't seem to be consenting to this."

Caleb didn't say a word. He pulled a thick stack of cash from his wallet and slammed it on the tray.

"Just do it. I'll take full responsibility if anything happens."

Caleb pinned me down, holding my arm still as the needle pierced my skin.

I watched my blood flow through the tube. The nurse filled one bag, then immediately hooked up another.

I started to feel cold. My head felt heavy and dizzy.

Through the fog in my mind, I heard Macy's frail voice.

"Caleb... that's a lot of blood. Is Clara going to be okay?"

Caleb's voice was incredibly gentle as he stroked her hair.

"She's fine. She's tough. You're the one who suffered tonight. When you're better, I'm taking you on a trip to Europe to relax."

"Really? I knew you were the best, Caleb."

Macy then claimed she wanted some imported fruit from downstairs. She managed to send Caleb away.

The moment the door closed, she sat up. She looked perfectly fine.

She walked over to my chair, looking down at me like I was a bug.

"Do you see it now, Clara? That's the difference between you and me. You thought a marriage certificate could bind him? How pathetic."

"He has only ever loved me. I just wanted to see you suffer, so he agreed to play along with this little 'blood drama' just to make me happy."

"Your blood and your dignity are worth absolutely nothing to me. Enjoy the dizziness."

She laughed, a sharp, cruel sound. I felt a wave of nausea hit me.

He knew.

Caleb knew she was faking. He knew she was just doing this to torture me.

And he chose to help her.

The room started to spin. My vision went black, and I lost consciousness.

When I woke up, I was lying on a cramped recliner in Macy's room.

"Caleb, don't be mad at Clara. Don't let me come between you two. I'll be fine as long as you're happy."

Macy was leaning into Caleb's chest, crying crocodile tears.

Caleb was wiping them away, whispering sweet nothings to her.

He glanced at me, his expression unreadable.

"Just focus on getting better. I'll deal with Clara later. I'll just buy her something shiny and she'll come around."

I felt something inside me finally snap. I used the chair to pull myself up.

"Caleb Sanders. That is the last time I will ever say your name."

"Whatever you and the Whites want to do, go ahead. Consider the wedding cancelled. Macy can have the title of Mrs. Sanders. I'm sure she'll make a full recovery now."

I didn't wait for a response. I turned and stumbled out of the room.