Chapter 3

3

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was the sterile white ceiling of a hospital room.

I lifted my arm and saw that my skin was charred and blistered, stuck to the bandages.

No one was by my side. I heard a nurse sigh nearby. "Poor thing. Where's her family? The woman in the next bed just has a scratch, and her husband is practically crying."

I squeezed my eyes shut, bitterness flooding my throat.

I was useless. I couldn't even protect my mother's final farewell.

Just as a tear escaped, Jasper's voice rang out with a hint of a smile. "Quinn, are you still in pain? Lila was just acting like a kid. I scolded her already. She's not a bad person at heart."

"Once you're better, we'll throw your mom a much grander memorial, okay?"

I yanked my hand away from his touch. My voice was as flat as a dead sea. "Don't bother."

Before I could process anything else, my cousin called. "Quinn, it's bad! The baby... the baby has been taken!"

"What?" I shrieked, my voice breaking.

Desperate to hold onto my last hope, I dragged myself off the bed and knelt before Jasper.

"Please, please save Leo. He's innocent."

Jasper acted as if it was nothing. "It's fine. He just went to have some bone marrow drawn."

The blood in my veins turned to ice. Under my burned skin, my very bones began to shiver.

"Bone marrow?" I rasped. "Leo is a newborn! Why are you taking his bone marrow? For who?"

Jasper knelt down, that same gentle smile plastered on his face. "Quinn, don't get worked up. Lila was diagnosed with a blood disorder recently. The doctor said she needs an urgent transplant, and Leo happened to be a perfect match."

"You know Lila has always been frail. We can't just let her die, can we? Besides, it's just a little bit. The doctor promised it wouldn't hurt him."

I looked at the lack of guilt in his eyes. A copper taste filled my mouth.

The "newborn check" was never for my son. He was planned to be Lila's walking blood bank from the start.

I had nearly died giving birth to him, and to Jasper, he was just spare parts for his stepsister.

"The address," I said, throwing off the covers. The movement tore at my burned skin, but I didn't care. "I'm going to see Leo."

Jasper blocked my path. "Quinn, look at you. You can't go anywhere like this. Wait until you're―"

"The address!" I cut him off.

My heart sank into an abyss. I fumbled for my phone, my fingers shaking so much I could barely dial.

I called Lila.

The phone rang for a long time before a bratty female voice answered, but it wasn't Lila. "Oh, look who it is. Looking for our Lila, Quinn?"

I hissed through my teeth, "Where is Leo? Put Lila on the phone."

"Lila is resting. She doesn't have time for you," the voice mocked. "Honestly, Quinn, why do you even bother fighting her? You know who Jasper really loves. You're out of your league."

"Lila said it herself. Jasper would hand over your life on a silver platter if she asked, let alone your son's marrow."

Suddenly, Lila's voice came through. "Quinn, want the truth? Leo is right here with me. He's fine. Want to see him? I'll send you the address."

She gave me a location, and I immediately called a car.

When I arrived at the suburban villa, Lila was lounging on the sofa, playing with one of Leo's small toys.

"You look like a mess, Quinn. What, here for a final goodbye?"

"Where is Leo!" I lunged at her, but she stepped aside easily.

"What's the rush?" She stood up slowly and leaned in close, whispering, "Your mom's death was a blessing. She was an eyesore anyway. And your son's marrow is going to save my life. Isn't that a great honor for your family?"

"You killed my mother, and now you're touching my son?" I was vibrating with rage.

Lila suddenly screamed and fell backward, messing up her hair as her eyes turned red.

Jasper burst through the door. "What are you doing?"