Chapter 2

1.

The bright operating lights blurred into ghostly shadows, and the pungent smell of antiseptic faded from my senses.

I could hear the doctors screaming in panic. The patient has lost all vital signs! Where is the blood supply?

It was never coming. Holden had already taken it to donate to the son of his first love.

I remembered how, an hour ago, I had been trapped in the wreckage of my car, unable to move.

I summoned my last bit of strength to call Holden, telling him about the accident and begging him to come.

But his tone was filled with nothing but impatience.

Stella, I have told you so many times, stop using these pathetic manipulative tactics to get my attention.

Leo is currently in surgery and needs my presence. Stop bothering me unless it is something important!

Before I could even reply, the line went dead.

As my soul drifted away from my body, I watched my corpse lie cold on the operating table.

I drifted to Holden's side against my will.

He was standing outside the operating room, his arms wrapped around his precious Claire. His face, usually cold and indifferent toward me, was now etched with a worry I had never seen before.

Even then, he didn't forget to comfort Claire.

Don't worry, Leo is going to be just fine!

So, the person lying in the operating room was Claire's son, Leo Valois.

Just then, the doctor stepped out with a relieved smile on his face.

Holden and Claire rushed forward immediately, eager for the news.

The blood arrived just in time. The surgery was a complete success, and he is starting to wake up!

You can go in and see him in a moment.

Claire wept with joy, and Holden's face lit up with a smile as they walked into the room together, staying by Leo's side.

I had never seen him look so genuinely happy.

The two adults and the child looked like a perfect, happy family.

By the way, Holden, I heard Stella was in a car accident. How is she? Claire asked, her voice sweet and feigned, acting as if she were incredibly considerate.

Holden's brows furrowed in irritation the moment he heard my name.

What could possibly be wrong with her? She does nothing all day but make scenes.

Unlike you, Claire. You are so gentle and kind. She should really take a lesson from you.

Let's not talk about her on such a happy day. It is bad luck.

Seeing the undisguised loathing in Holden's eyes felt like a needle piercing my heart.

Only then did I vaguely recall that after the first call, I had tried to reach him again.

I had been rescued by the police and put into an ambulance.

I had lost too much blood, and I happen to have a rare blood type.

The hospital had initially secured a donor, but at that exact moment, Leo suffered complications during surgery and needed that same blood.

Holden had used his influence to snatch it away, not caring that it was rightfully mine, nor that another life was at stake.

When I begged someone to call him, the first thing I heard was his harsh reprimand.

Stella, have I not warned you to stop being an eyesore? Leo is in critical condition. I do not have time for your little performances!

The medical staff was stunned, never expecting my own husband to treat me this way. They could only try to reason with him.

Sir, Mrs. Brooks has just been in a terrible accident and urgently needs a transfusion! Please, is there any way you could spare even a little bit of the supply?

The man's deep voice on the other end sounded furious.

Stella, that is enough! You even hired people to help you lie to me? Do you really think I will fall for your scheme?

Drop these low-class tricks, or we are going to the divorce office first thing tomorrow morning!

My consciousness began to fade, leaving me with only one cold realization.

Holden Brooks never cared if I lived or died. In his eyes, there was only Claire and Leo.

I gave a bitter smile, suddenly wondering, Holden, what kind of look will you have when you find out I am dead?