Chapter 1
The day I buried my father, my husband, Marcus Pierce, didn’t come to the funeral.
Instead, my stepsister, Bianca, sent me a photo. It was Marcus, on his knees, kissing her stomach.
Guess who’s finally going to be a father.
My breath caught. My hands shook.
No. No, no, no.
I blinked through tears, praying it was some sick joke.
Then came the second photo: Bianca in my robe, in my bedroom, taking a selfie while Marcus slept behind her in my bed.
My knees buckled.
Right there at my father’s grave, I collapsed.
That night, Marcus came home with Bianca and her bags.
“She needs a place to stay,” he said. “She’s pregnant. It’s not safe for her to be alone.”
I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I didn’t beg.
I just looked at him and said five words:
“I want a divorce, Marcus.”
But he refused to let me go.
So I picked up the phone and called the one man Marcus feared more than death—
His brother. Alexander Pierce.
The man who once told me, “If Marcus ever hurts you… come to me.”
Marcus wanted to ruin me, so I decided to ruin him first!
——
Isabella’s POV
The day I buried my father, my husband didn’t show up for the funeral.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Bianca — my stepsister, who also hadn’t come.
I opened it. The screen showed a photo of Marcus, my husband, kissing her stomach tenderly. It was tagged: Guess who’s finally going to be a father.
My hands shook. No. It couldn’t be real.
My vision blurred with tears as I stared hard at the picture, praying with everything in me that it was fake, that it was some sort of sick joke.
But it wasn't. The next picture she sent was enough to shatter my world.
It was a picture of Bianca taking a mirror selfie in the master's bedroom I shared with Marcus. She was wearing my robe, while Marcus was asleep in the background on the master's bed.
I couldn’t breathe. So it was true.
My husband had impregnated my stepsister.
Tears ran down my face as I sobbed. My chest hurt from the pain of the betrayal. My husband. My stepsister.
My knees gave out, and I collapsed in front of my father’s grave.
The dirt was still fresh. My tears soaked into it as I broke down completely.
It felt like my heart was being torn from my chest as I sobbed hard.
I should have known, I had seen how close they had been getting, the secret glances and conversations, but I had refused to believe that I could ever be betrayed by the two people I trusted the most.
I felt so betrayed and humiliated.
Then my phone buzzed again. It was Marcus this time
-I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the funeral. A very important issue came up. We need to talk.-
I stared at the screen, the tears flowing freely now. I already knew what he wanted.
That night, Marcus arrived with Bianca and her bags.
“Bianca needs a place to stay,” he said softly, as if gentleness could erase what he had done. “With her pregnancy, it’s not safe for her to be alone.”
Bianca smiled a saccharine, mocking smile. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I begged Marcus to wait… but the baby’s health comes first. I hope you understand, I’m sorry for intruding on the day of our father’s funeral”
I didn't say anything, I just stared blankly at the floor as I listened to the both of them.
Marcus pressed on, “Bianca is your sister, Isabella, your own flesh and blood. You wouldn’t want anything to happen to her, would you?”
I ignored him, fighting back my tears. I wanted to scream, to throw something, to make him hurt the way I was hurting. But I just stared at the floor, numb and broken.
He sighed. “Look, I’m sorry for what happened between us. But I love you. Only you.”
His words cut deeper than any knife.
“What happened with Bianca was a mistake. It won’t happen again.”
I stared. “She’s pregnant. And you say this is a mistake?”
He nodded. “Yes. And the best part is that we made an agreement. When she gives birth, the baby will be yours. Since you can’t have children, Bella.”
Those words stabbed me: You can’t have children.
“You always wanted a baby,” he said, trying to soften it. “This is the universe fixing things for us.”
I glared at him with disbelief as fury burned with me. “Are you serious? You slept with my step sister and you expect me to just accept this?”
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Don’t be dramatic. I know it was wrong. But now, we can finally have a child. I can be a father.”
Bianca began to fake sob, “Oh no, Marcus. Look at what I’ve done. I’m causing trouble between you two.”
“Oh, stop your act!” I snapped.
She flinched, sobbing harder. “I should go.”
Marcus turned to me, his eyes flashed with anger. “Look at what you’re causing. I don’t want Bianca stressed during her pregnancy. Why do you have to be so bitter? No wonder you’re barren!”
His cruel words hit me hard. I could barely breathe.
He caught the hurt on my face and tried to soften it, “I didn’t mean it like that. I just don’t want the baby to be harmed.”
I rose slowly, my voice shook, but it was firm. “Marcus, I want a divorce.”
His face turned pale. “What?”
Bianca smirked behind him, but I didn’t care.
“I said, I want a divorce.”
“Isabella, no. We’re family,” Bianca said, voice dripping with fake sympathy.
Marcus stared at me, disbelief clear. “You don’t mean it.”
“I do.”
He scoffed. “Because of this? Because I made a mistake?”
“A mistake?” I laughed bitterly. “You call cheating on me with my step sister a mistake?”
He stepped closer, cold now. “You always overreact. That’s why I stopped talking to you. Everything turns into drama.”
I clenched my fists, rage burning. “You got her pregnant, moved her into our house on the day my father died, and I’m overreacting?”
Marcus scoffed at me. “You’re lucky anyone would want you, considering you’re barren.”
Bianca sobbed fake tears. “Please, Marcus. Don’t fight because of me.”
“Then leave,” I snapped at her.
Marcus growled, pointing at me. “Watch your mouth. She’s pregnant. You have no right to stress her.”
“She has no right to be here,” I said coldly.
His eyes narrowed, venom sharp. “I see why you can’t have a child. Your heart’s dark and evil.”
My heart shattered, but I refused to break.
“I’m done with you, Marcus. Goodbye.”
“Oh, please,” he sneered. “You think you can walk away? You have nothing. No money, no children, no one.”
His words stabbed, but I kept moving toward the stairs.
“Where do you think you’re going?” he barked.
“To pack.”
“You’re not leaving. You’re still my wife.”
“Not for long. I’ll send divorce papers.”
He stepped forward, voice calm but deadly. “I am Marcus Pierce. The day you signed those papers, you belonged to me. If you walk out, I’ll find you. I’ll drag you back. I’ll burn your precious orphanage to the ground.”
My lips trembled. The orphanage was the last tie to my father. It was everything I had left.
“Why are you doing this?” I whispered through tears.
“You brought this on yourself,” Marcus said, jaw clenched.
I broke down again. “You won’t even let me grieve for my father. You humiliate me, bring her here, and now you won’t let me go? What more do you want?”
His eyes softened, voice almost gentle. “Isabella, Bianca’s baby will be ours. Why can’t you be happy?”
Something inside me shifted. I wiped my tears. Bianca’s eyes gleamed with triumph. That was the nail that sealed the coffin shut.
Marcus wanted to ruin me, but I would ruin him first.
“I overreacted,” I said quietly. “I’ll stay… for now. Give me time.”
He smiled and kissed my forehead.
That night, I cried my heart out. I lay curled on the cold floor of the guest room sobbing quietly, while Marcus tended to my stepsister in the master bedroom.
My chest ached. The tears kept falling. I grieved for my father, I grieved for my ruined marriage, and I grieved for myself.
And when there were no more tears left to cry, I picked up the phone, and I called the one person who hated Marcus more than I did.
The one person that Marcus feared the most. His older brother, Alexander Pierce.
Alexander picked almost immediately. “Bella,” he drawled coldly. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
A chill ran down my spine at the intensity in that voice, and I tightened my grip on the phone slightly. “I want to ruin Marcus, and I need your help.”
There was a pause, then he released a low, dark chuckle. “Finally. I thought you would never ask.”
Alexander didn’t waste time. “Tell me everything.”
I spilled the truth, from Marcus’s betrayal, to Bianca moving in, to his cruel threats.
He listened silently, and when I was done, he asked. “When do you want him to fall?” he asked.
“Yesterday.” I replied seriously.
He laughed. “Perfect. Marcus won’t know what hit him.”
Hope rose up within me for the first time since the funeral.
“We’ll keep in touch, and I’ll let you know when things are in order,” Alexander promised, then he paused.
“But I have one condition.” He said.
My heart pounded in my chest. I was already dreading whatever it was. “What is it?” I asked.
“Marry me,” he replied
My heart skipped a beat.
Chapter 2
Isabella’s POV
I didn’t sleep that night. Alexander’s proposal echoed in my head over and over. He had asked me to think about it, and get back with a response. He swore that immediately I gave him a response, he would come for me. I wasn’t ready to answer him, because I was so confused.
Alexander was offering protection from Marcus, and lots of power, but what was the cost?
And then, this morning, suddenly everything changed.
My hands shook as I stared at the pregnancy report before me. It was positive.
I was pregnant.
I laughed bitterly as tears welled up in my eyes. I had given up hope a long time ago, and I had accepted the insults thrown to me—that I was barren, useless, unworthy.
And now, I was pregnant. And it was too late because Marcus had already cheated on me and had shown me who he really was.
My heart pounded as I clutched the report tighter.
My phone buzzed. It was a message from Alexander: “Everything is set. You have three days to decide.”
My heart raced as I stared at the message. I couldn't bring a child into a callous world of lies, betrayal and bitterness. It would be cruel of me.
Tears blurred my vision as I shakily picked up my phone. My fingers trembled as I dialed the number of the hospital.
The line clicked, and a calm voice answered, “Good afternoon, Preston Hospital. How may I assist you?”
“I... I need to schedule an miscarriage,” I said, my voice shook as I spoke.
There was a pause, then the voice replied calmly, “Can you make it to the clinic tomorrow?”
My heart clenched. The sooner the better.
“Yes, I can.” I whispered, my voice broke as the tears ran down my face.
As I hung up, a cold numbness settled within me. I was going to get rid of a part of myself, a part that I had prayed and begged for.
My mind flashed back to the accident that had rendered me barren six years ago.
Marcus had been upset about a business deal that didn't go well.
He was drunk, and he insisted on driving, no matter how much I begged him.
I remembered the way the second car had come out of nowhere. The screeching tires. The loud crash, lots of blood, and then darkness.
I woke up two days later in a hospital bed in severe pain to receive the news that the damage from the accident was too much, so I wouldn't be able to conceive again.
I cried for days until my throat and eyes hurt. Through it all, Marcus had been there, stroking my hair, kissing my forehead, whispering, “I’m so sorry, baby. I swear, I’ll make this right. I’ll never leave you.”
He had held me like I was a fragile gem, like I was the most precious thing in his world.
And I had believed him, I had forgiven him, because love made me stupid.
A bitter smile crossed my lips. Now, I was paying the price.
“Well, well. Look who it is!” an annoyingly familiar voice drawled.
I clenched my jaw. “I’m not in the mood, Bianca.”
Bianca walked into the living room like she owned the place.
She looked at me, wrinkling her nose.
“Ugh. You look like hell,” she said with a mocking smirk as she sat on the chair opposite me. “Rough day?”
I said nothing, but my fingers gripped the edge of the table tightly.
“You look like someone going through a lot of shit right now.” She continued, her eyes shone with mockery.
I forced myself to stay calm, breathing deeply. “Is there a reason you’re here, Bianca?”
She smirked, “What? Can't I cheer my sister up?”
My heart pounded in my chest, and I glared at her. “After sleeping with your sister’s husband, no, you cannot.”
“Oh, please,” Bianca giggled, waving her hand. “You were always too boring for Marcus. He needed someone who could keep up. You should see the kind of things I did to him in the room.”
I gritted my teeth as rage burned within me, but I didn't let it show. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of giving her a reaction.
Her smirk faltered slightly when she didn't get a reaction from me.
The sound of a car pulling into the driveway let me know that Marcus was home.
I didn't want to talk or see him, so I stood up to leave.
“No, no, where are you going? Won't you welcome your husband, sister?” Bianca taunted.
I ignored her, making my way to the guest room to lock myself there.
My hands trembled, my chest ached, and my eyes burned from holding in the tears.
I laid down releasing a shaky breath as I closed my eyes. I just needed to bear all these for three days more, and I would be free.
Suddenly, the door burst open with a loud crash. My eyes flew open, and I jumped to my feet in shock.
Marcus stormed into the room with his eyes blazing in fury.
I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. “What the hell are you—?”
Before I could say a word, he slapped me hard across the face.
Chapter 3
Isabella's POV
The force of his slap threw me to the floor, and I released a cry of pain and shock as my vision turned black for a moment.
Pain exploded through my face as I hit the floor. I lay there frozen, too shocked to even move.
What just happened? Why?
My mind scrambled for answers, but nothing made sense. Why had Marcus hit me? He had never done that before.
I blinked rapidly, trying to clear the dizziness. My hands trembled as I pushed myself up from the floor. I noticed Bianca standing behind the furious Marcus, with her arms folded across her chest, and tears running down her face.
“What the hell is going on?” I croaked, my voice shook as tears welled up in my eyes.
Marcus towered over me, breathing heavily in anger. “You hit her, Isabella? You hit the woman carrying my child? Is that how bitter you have become?”
“What?” I whispered, still struggling to process his words. “I—what are you talking about?”
“She came to talk to you, and you attacked her? Your infertility is causing you to become deranged!” he yelled, his eyes blazed with fury.
Bianca sobbed as she stepped forward. “I... I just wanted to check on her. I brought her some tea,” she said softly. “She started screaming. I tried to calm her down, but she... she started hitting me. She said I was ruining her life, that I deserved to die.”
Her voice broke, then she continued while I gaped at her. “I didn’t want to tell you, Marcus, but she really scared me. I thought she would kill me.”
My heart nearly stopped. She was lying boldly and shamelessly.
I shook my head slowly, still on the floor. “You lying snake,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “I never touched you.”
Bianca’s lips shook, and she looked away, looking like the perfect victim.
Marcus didn’t even hesitate.
“Get out,” he growled at me. “Get out of my sight before I do something worse to you.”
I stared up at him with tears burning in my eyes, not just from pain, but from disbelief that he had really done this because of her.
“You believe her?” I whispered. “Do you think I would ever do such a thing?”
His eyes wavered for a moment, before they hardened. “You’re unstable, Isabella. I don’t even know who you are anymore. Jealousy is turning you into something else.”
A bitter laugh escaped my mouth. “I have nothing to be jealous of.” I spat.
I could taste blood on my lips. The force of his slap had split my lip. I wiped it with the back of my hand, ignoring the sting.
For a brief second, Marcus’s gaze dropped to my bleeding lip, and he clenched his jaw. His expression softened, and he stepped forward.
“Isa—”
But before he could finish, Bianca whimpered from behind him. “My head hurts, Marcus,” she said, her voice soft and fragile. “She hit me so hard. I just… I didn’t expect her to snap like that.”
Marcus turned to her instantly, forgetting all about me, like I never existed. He wrapped a protective arm around Bianca, who leaned into him like she was a fragile glass doll.
Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them drop. I was done shedding tears because of them.
Bianca glanced back at me with a mocking smirk on her lips, and triumph gleaming in her eyes, but I brushed it off.
Three more days.
Just three more days, and I would be gone.
~
The next morning, I left the house early to go to the clinic for the miscarriage. My chest tightened, and my heart ached as I waited to be attended to.
My hands shook as I slowly placed a hand on my stomach. It was flat. There were no changes, but something precious was within. Something I had once thought I could never have.
A baby.
Tears welled in my eyes again, but I blinked them away. I had made a logical decision. It was a necessary one.
A nurse called my name, and I rose to my feet slowly as my heart pounded in my chest. I was led into a private room where the doctor turned to face me.
The moment he saw me, his brows lifted in surprise.
“Mrs. Pierce?” he said in obvious surprise. He had been the doctor who had declared me barren after the accident six years ago.
I gave him a weak smile.
He glanced down at the file in his hand, then back up at me. “Are you… sure about this?”
I didn’t respond. My throat had closed up.
He sighed softly and walked over, his voice gentle. “Mrs. Pierce, I need you to understand how rare, and miraculous this pregnancy is.” he paused. “If you go through with this, you will never get another chance. Ever.”
Chapter 4
Isabella’s POV
His words struck something deep in me, and my heart pounded faster in my chest.
I placed my hand on my stomach again. I thought about the long, lonely nights that I had cried, praying for a miracle. I remembered the ache every time someone announced a pregnancy.
And now, that my prayers were finally answered, I was about to throw it away because of Marcus, and his betrayal.
This time, I couldn’t control myself, I burst into tears, closing my eyes. The thought of getting rid of my little miracle caused my heart to ache.
“No,” I whispered, shaking my head frantically. “I… I can’t do this.”
The doctor blinked. “You mean—?”
“I’m keeping the baby.” My voice broke, but it sounded firm. “I don’t care if I have to raise this child alone. This child is mine. They’re a blessing, not a mistake.”
The doctor gave me a relieved smile, nodding in encouragement. “I think that’s the right decision.”
As I stepped out of the hospital, the weight in my chest was lifted, and I was filled with hope, because in three days, I would be starting a new life, with my child.
“Isabella!” A familiar voice yelled from behind me.
It was Marcus. I tensed, reluctantly turning to face him.
Before I could say anything, he gripped my arm tightly with a frantic look in his eyes.
“Thank goodness I saw you here!” He exclaimed, tightening his grip on my arm.
I furrowed my eyebrows in surprise and confusion. “What… what’s going on?” I asked.
“It’s Bianca,” he said, “She’s in the hospital. She had a high fever all night from the crying and from the beating you gave her,” he added sharply, glaring at me. “You did this, Isabella.”
I glared back at him. “I told you that I didn’t touch her, Marcus!”
But he wasn’t listening.
“She passed out this morning, Isabella,” he continued, ignoring my words. “Her fever got worse. She’s weak. Now, the doctors say she needs a blood transfusion.”
My heart sank. “What does that have to do with me?”
Marcus stared at me, clenching his jaw. “You’re a universal donor, Isabella. Bianca’s blood type is rare, and you’re the only match available right now.”
My breath caught.
“Wait,” I said slowly, blinking up at him. “You want me to donate my blood to her? After everything?”
“I don’t have time for this,” he snapped. “This is about saving two lives. You can be bitter and selfish later. Right now, you’re going to do the right thing.”
He started dragging me away.
I dug my heels into the floor to resist as he dragged me forward. “You can’t do this! There are other people you can get blood from. You can get blood from a blood bank. Why me?” I protested.
He stopped walking, and turned to me, his voice cold. “Because this is all your fault.”
I stared at him in disbelief. “I didn’t touch her!” I exclaimed, willing him to believe me. “She lied to you!”
He didn’t listen to me. He kept dragging me.
Something in me broke as I realized that he would never believe me over Bianca. I was too tired to argue, and too exhausted to keep screaming into deaf ears.
“I’m pregnant,” I whispered as a last resort. I never wanted to tell him, but I had no choice.
Marco turned slowly with his eyebrows lifted in disbelief. “What did you say?”
“I’m pregnant,” I repeated, louder this time with my voice shaking. “The doctor said that it was a miracle that I had gotten pregnant. This pregnancy is a high risk pregnancy. If you do this, you’ll kill it, Marco. You’ll kill our child.”
There was a long, heavy pause.
Then Marco laughed. It was a cruel and mocking laugh that hurt my ears.
“Really? Really, Isabella?” he sneered. “You are that despicable? You would lie about something like this just to escape your responsibility?”
My lips parted in shock, and my eyes widened in disbelief.
“I know you’re desperate, but faking a pregnancy?” He shook his head like I disgusted him. “That’s a new low, even for you.”
“But…but it’s the truth,” I hissed, my eyes watering with tears.
He scoffed, glaring down at me. “The truth? You’re a lying bitch that can never tell the truth. You will give the blood, and that’s final.” He said with finality in his voice.
Rage, betrayal and disbelief burned within me. I yanked my arm away from his.
“I won’t do it,” I hissed, “I won’t risk my baby’s life for Bianca.”
“You selfish woman,” he spat. “You would let someone die!”
“No,” I snapped. “But I won’t let my baby die either.”
Marcus’ eyes blazed with rage. “If you don't do this, I will raze down that orphanage personally, and make you watch.” He gritted through clenched teeth.
Chapter 5
Isabella's POV
My blood ran cold. He was threatening the orphanage again. He knew how much it meant to me.
My father had started that orphanage. It was all I had of him. The children in the orphanage were like family to me.
“You wouldn’t,” I whispered, my voice trembling.
Marcus stepped closer, his face was twisted into a snarl. “Try me.”
I stared up at him, breathing heavily as my heart shattered. How could someone I once loved, someone I once trusted, become my worst enemy?
My hand moved over to my stomach again, and tears ran down my face silently.
When Marcus dragged me again, I didn't resist. I quietly followed him, crying silently.
We stepped into the VIP room Marcus had gotten for Bianca. She was lying on the bed, connected to monitors and IV fluids, looking weak and pale. Her eyes were red, and she kept whimpering like she was in pain.
Marcus rushed to her side instantly. “Bianca, I’m here,” he said, grabbing her hand gently. “Don’t worry, I brought Isabella. You’ll be okay now.”
Bianca barely moved. Her voice came out in a shaky whisper. “It hurts, Marcus... I feel so much pain...”
I stood there, silent, watching as my husband whispered softly to Bianca. My stomach twisted as he brushed a strand of hair away from her face with so much gentleness.
However, when Marcus turned to call a doctor, Bianca suddenly opened one eye and winked at me with a mischievous smirk on her lips.
My body tensed. Did she seriously just do that? Was everything just a pretense? I was risking the life of my baby for a charade.
I clenched my fists in rage, gritting my teeth. How dare she?
I stepped forward, ready to speak, but Marcus turned around and grabbed my hand tightly. His fingers dug into my skin, and I winced.
His eyes stared into mine with a fierce glare, and I instantly understood his message. He was warning me.
A shiver ran down my spine as I remembered his threat concerning the orphanage.
The door opened again, and a doctor walked in. Marcus turned to her like she was his last hope.
“She’s getting worse,” he said quickly. “We need the transfusion now.”
The doctor nodded calmly. “She’s stable for now. We can hold off on the transfusion for now, until—”
Bianca whimpered.
“No!” Marcus snapped. “The donor is right here,” He pointed to me like I was a stranger that he had nothing to do with.
The doctor gave me a brief look, then nodded and instructed the nurses to start setting up.
A cold sweat ran down my spine as I stared at the needle in the doctor’s hands. I had a phobia for needles, and Marcus knew that. Normally, he would hold my hand, and whisper soothing words to calm me.
Marcus stared at me and for a second, he reached out like he remembered, but when Bianca whimpered, he dropped my hand quickly and rushed to her side, forgetting me completely.
My heart clenched, and I swallowed hard.
I turned my head away when the doctor approached me with the needle. My stomach turned with fear and pain. I squeezed my eyes shut. Please… please stop this… please, someone… I pleaded within me.
Just as he was about to insert it, the door burst open, and another doctor rushed in.
“Wait!” he called out, hurrying in with a file in his hands and panic in his voice. “Stop right now!”
Everyone turned to him.
“Mrs. Pierce is pregnant,” the doctor said breathlessly.
The doctor holding the needle stepped back.
Marcus spluttered in disbelief. “W-What? That's not possible. H-How?”
The doctor hurried forward with the file in his hands. “She was scheduled for an miscarriage this morning, but she cancelled it. Here.” He said, handing the file to Marcus.
I released a deep breath of relief. For the first time in days, I felt like I could finally breathe.
The doctor had confirmed it, he had proved that I was telling the truth.
But before the relief could settle, Marco spoke up with a cold and merciless voice.
“Take the blood.”
My eyes widened. “What?”
Chapter 6
Isabella’s POV
The doctors and nurses present were stunned.
“Mr. Pierce… your wife cannot donate blood. Didn’t you hear what the doctor said?” One of the nurses spluttered in disbelief. “Mrs. Pierce is pregnant, and her pregnancy is a high-risk pregnancy. Any slight issues could cause her to lose the child.”
Marcus’ eyes were blank and merciless as he stepped forward. “I heard,” he said coldly. “And I said take the blood.”
The doctor glanced at him and me, looking helplessly. “Sir, we could lose both the mother and the baby. This is against medical protocol—”
“I don’t care about your protocol,” Marcus cut in sharply. “I’m paying a lot of money, so do your job.”
I could barely breathe. My heart pounded in my chest as I stared at the man in front of me. The man I married. The man I once loved, but he wasn’t the same person anymore.
Marcus gritted his teeth, glaring at them. “I am Marcus Pierce. If you don’t do as I say, I will shut down this hospital, and make you all miserable!” He barked.
Their eyes widened in horror at his words. He was threatening them, just like he was threatening me, all for Bianca.
The nurse hesitated, then turned to me. “Mrs. Pierce… we need your consent.”
I just sat there, gaping in shock as I stared at Marcus.
“Marcus, you claimed that you have always wanted a child, and now that you have it, you want to throw it away because of Bianca’s fake fever?” I asked in disbelief.
Marcus scowled. “What difference does it make? You were about to abort it anyways.”
I gave him an incredulous look. “But you just heard that I cancelled it!” I retorted.
Marcus sighed, shaking his head. “Look Isabella, Bianca’s pregnancy is far more stable than yours,” he said softly. “The doctors said your pregnancy is high-risk. There’s a huge chance you will lose it anyway. But Bianca… she has a chance.”
My stomach dropped, and I blinked. “So you’re willing to kill my child… for hers?”
“It’s not like that,” he said quickly, stepping forward. “This is a medical decision. Bianca’s vitals are crashing. She needs the transfusion. Your pregnancy is uncertain. You might not even make it to the second month.”
I stared at him in shock and horror.
No, this wasn’t about making a medical decision.
Marcus wasn’t just saving a child, he was choosing a woman.
And it wasn’t me.
My hands trembled as I looked at him. If I had tears left, I would have started crying now.
“You’ve already chosen her,” I whispered. “Haven’t you?”
His eyes flickered with an unreadable expression. He opened his mouth to speak, but Bianca coughed dramatically from the bed, and that was all it took. Marcus turned his back on me again and rushed to her side.
A chill ran down my spine as the truth dawned on me.
There was no use screaming or fighting. I wanted to beg the nurses not to take my blood, but what was the point? Their hands were tied—he had threatened them.
The nurse gently touched my arm with pity in her eyes. “Mrs. Pierce… do we have your consent?”
My lips trembled, and for a second I couldn’t speak. I looked one last time at Marcus.
He didn’t even look back.
I swallowed hard. “Do what you have to,” I said quietly.
I was resigned to my fate, whatever would happen, would happen.
The doctor inserted the needle into my arm, and I didn’t even wince.
The needle pierced my skin, and blood began to flow.
I had no tears left to cry, so all I could do was stare at the floor blankly, trying to breathe, and stay calm.
My chest tightened and a wave of dizziness crashed over me.
Something was wrong.
I gasped, trying to lift my head, but my vision blurred. My heart began to pound so fast that it hurt.
The nurse closest to me glanced at the monitor and immediately panicked. “Something’s wrong, her vitals are dropping!”
“Stop the transfusion,” the doctor barked, rushing toward me. “She’s crashing!”
Bianca whimpered pitifully, causing Marcus to panic.
“No!” Marcus shoved the doctor away so hard that he stumbled backward. “Don’t stop it! Bianca needs the blood! She’s crashing too!”
“She’s not crashing,” the nurse shouted back. “Her vitals are stable!”
“You don’t know anything!” Marcus roared. “Look at her. She’s pale and she’s in pain. She’s not okay! Don’t stop it, damn it!”
I released a cry as a sharp wave of pain pierced through me, but Marcus barely glanced at me. His whole attention was on Bianca, and her fake act.
My whole body trembled. I was barely conscious, barely hanging on. The world was spinning so fast, and I could taste blood in my mouth.
This was it. I was dying.
Regret washed over me as my mind flashed back to Alexander.
The way he had said ‘finally’. Like he had always been waiting for me, and like a fool, I had asked him to wait. I hadn’t said yes.
I could see the doctors and nurses begging with Marcus to reconsider as they watched me with wide fearful fears, but he remained unbothered, looking at Bianca like she was his everything.
My lips moved, and I whispered the only thing I could.
“God… please… save my baby…”
And then the world turned black.
Chapter 7
Isabella’s POV
When I opened my eyes next, I wished that I was dead. All my body throbbed with pain, and a strange sense of emptiness settled within me.
“Oh, Mrs. Pierce. We are so glad that you’re finally awake. We were worried that we would lose you.” A female doctor said from beside me.
My throat burned. My body felt heavy and bruised, like I had been dragged through hell twice
I groaned weakly, blinking at the piercing hospital lights. For a moment, I was confused and disoriented. Why was I here? Why did everything hurt?
Then everything came flooding back.
The miscarriage, Marcus, Bianca, the transfusion, the intense pain, the chaos, and the fear.
My eyes widened as realization struck me, and I turned my head slowly toward the doctor with fear pounding in my chest.
There was something on her face, like a sorrowful expression.
A chill ran down my spine as dread spread throughout my bones.
I was scared to ask, but I had to.
“My baby…” I croaked, my voice hoarse. “What about my baby?”
The doctor hesitated, and that hesitation was all I needed. My heart sank, and my blood ran cold.
Her lips parted, and she shook her head slowly and gently.
“I’m so sorry,” she said softly. “We did everything we could… but the baby didn’t make it.”
Everything paused for a moment, and I gasped.
My heart pounded painfully against my ribs. I felt like I had been punched in the chest hard, and my lungs refused to work. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.
I thought I had no tears left. I thought I was numb, but I was wrong.
I released an inhuman cry that tore at my aching throat. My shoulders shook as I sobbed, harder than I ever had in my life.
I cried for the life I never got to meet, I cried for the tiny heartbeat that had been in me, I cried because Marcus had stolen this from me, something I could never get back.
At that moment, I wished that I had aborted the child earlier, because I had become attached so fast that losing it now was ripping me to pieces.
The doctor stayed silent, giving me space to cry my heart out.
After what felt like forever, I wiped at my teary face with trembling fingers. My mind flashed back to Alexander’s offer, and I swallowed.
“What day is it?” I croaked, my voice trembling.
The doctor gave me a sad smile. “It’s Thursday. You’ve been unconscious for two days.”
My eyes widened, and I began calculating the days that Alexander had given me to think of his offer.
“I need my phone!” I cried, frantically looking around for it.
“Calm down, Mrs. Pierce, it’s in the drawer of the table beside you.” She said calmly, trying to soothe me.
My hands shook as I typed a message to Alexander.
— I accept your offer, meet me at the orphanage in three hours. —
His reply came immediately.
—Finally, I was beginning to think that you had changed your mind.—
I replied. — Never —
“Do you need anything else, Mrs. Pierce?” The doctor asked softly.
I gave her a bitter smile as I asked her a question that I already knew the answer to. “Did anyone come to see me?” I asked.
From her facial expression, I already knew the answer.
She shook her head, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Pierce, but no.”
I didn’t feel anything. No pain, no sadness, nothing. All I felt was a hollow ache, like something had been taken out of me, and could never be filled again
I turned away from the doctor silently, and stared blankly at the wall for a long time. I didn’t even notice when the doctor left the room.
Slowly, I pushed the blanket off me. Moving was very painful, but I ignored the pain.
“Mrs. Pierce?” the nurse who just walked in, called softly when she saw me shift. “Please, you need to rest, your body is still in recovery. You lost a lot of blood, and your stitches—”
“I’m leaving,” I said flatly, my voice was cold and emotionless. “I don’t need rest. I’m taking my life into my hands right now.”
She stepped closer, trying to stop me. “You’re not stable enough to be discharged. We haven’t even—”
“I wasn’t asking,” I snapped, my eyes flashing to hers. “Just give me whatever I need to sign.”
Her lips parted, and she hesitated again. However, she must have seen something in me that told her not to argue. She nodded and walked out, and within a few minutes, she came back with the discharge forms.
Every step I took out of that bed was torture. My legs trembled, and my back ached, but like always, I ignored them. I grabbed my phone and all my belongings and walked out of the room.
As I walked down the hallway, something made me pause for a moment. I caught a glimpse of Marcus and Bianca in another room, smiling and completely unbothered.
Chapter 8
Isabella’s POV
Marcus was feeding her gently with soup, smiling at her with so much love.
Watching them before would have caused my heart to ache, but now, I felt nothing. I turned to leave to avoid them seeing me, but like always, I had terrible luck.
“Isabella?” Marcus’s voice reached my ears, and I tensed, gritting my teeth in annoyance.
I turned slowly keeping my face blank and emotionless as I stared at him. His expression faltered the moment our eyes met. I could see the guilt burning in his eyes, as if he had just realized that I existed.
“I… I didn’t know you were awake,” he stammered, standing up from beside Bianca. “How… how are you feeling?”
I didn’t answer. I didn’t even blink. I just stared. My silence spoke louder than anything I would have said.
He looked down with shame on his face. “Your sacrifice… it wasn’t in vain,” he said gently, lifting his eyes to look at me. “Look, Bianca is fine. The baby is very healthy and strong. You saved them both.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed bitterly and humorlessly, and Marcus flinched at the harsh sound.
Bianca rested a hand on her belly, smiling sweetly, but her eyes shone with glee. “Marcus has been taking such good care of me. He never left my side for once.”
I wasn’t interested in hearing any more, so I turned without saying anything, ready to walk away, but Marcus jumped up, reaching out to me. “Wait please, Isabella, just wait.”
I paused, not because I wanted to, but because I wanted to hear the nonsense he would say.
“I’m throwing a party this evening,” he said quickly. “To celebrate your recovery… and Bianca’s safe return home. We all went through a lot, and I just want to bring everyone together. My father will be there, he really wants to see you.”
Still, I didn’t say a word.
He stepped closer, trying to soften his voice. “Let me give you a ride home. We’re all going the same way anyway.”
“I’m not going home,” I said flatly. “I’m going to the orphanage.”
Alexander had promised to protect the orphanage when I agreed to his proposal, so I just wanted to make sure everything was in place. I wanted to make sure no one could ever use it against me again, and that Marcus could never touch the only piece of my father I had left.
Marcus blinked in confusion. “The orphanage? Why?”
I tilted my head, expression still blank. “Because I have business to handle. Don’t bother yourself about it.”
Bianca perked up. “Oh! That’s perfect. I’ve been meaning to visit anyway. It is our father’s orphanage, after all.”
I lifted an eyebrow at her in surprise. She had always wanted nothing to do with the orphanage.
Marcus nodded immediately. “Then we’ll come with you. That sounds great.”
I stared at him, stunned for a moment by the speed of his agreement. This was the same Marcus who always rolled his eyes at the mention of the orphanage. The same Marcus who said it was a burden, a waste of money, an unnecessary sentiment.
But now that Bianca mentioned it, he quickly agreed.
I scoffed under my breath, watching them with a sneer on my face.
“Fine,” I said coolly. “You can come with me. But I need one last thing from you.”
Marcus straightened slightly, looking hopeful. “Anything.”
I reached into my bag, and pulled out the document that I had been carrying since he brought Bianca home. “Sign this.”
He blinked at me, furrowing his eyebrows as he took the papers from me. “What is it?”
“My discharge form,” I replied with a blank expression.but in fact it was a divorce agreement I had prepared.
He hesitated for a second.
Marcus had always been very careful with whatever he signed. He made sure he read it carefully, no matter what it was. However, immediately he glanced at Bianca, and she smiled coyly at him, batting her lashes, he forgot all about his carefulness.
“I’m getting tired, Marcus,” she said sweetly. “Let’s go home fast..”
He nodded, barely glancing at the document before signing the document. The moment he finished signing, a small satisfied smirk crossed my lips.
“Thank you,” I said, placing the document back in my bag. “Now I’m free.”
He didn’t understand the double meaning in my words as he kept fussing over Bianca.
Chapter 9
Isabella’s POV
When we reached the car, Bianca rushed to open the front passenger door for herself, but to my surprise, Marcus held her back.
“Hold on, Bianca,” he said, then he turned to me. “Isabella… maybe you should sit in the front,” he said, giving me a small hopeful smile.
“Bianca can stay in the back..” He added.
“No,” Bianca protested, pouting like a drama queen. “I’ll get nauseous if I sit in the back. The baby’s been making me so dizzy lately, Marcus”
I rolled my eyes.
Marcus looked conflicted as he tried to think of how to please us both.
“It’s fine,” I said coldly.. “Let her sit in the front.”
Marcus tried to protest. “But—”
“I said it’s fine,” I repeated, my voice was sharper this time. “Let her sit in the front, Marcus. I don’t care.”
There was silence for a moment. Bianca smiled in triumph. Marcus frowned, but he didn’t argue again.
I climbed into the backseat silently, wincing quietly as my body ached furiously.
As I sat in the backseat, the ache in my body increased slightly, but I clenched my jaw and said nothing. I leaned my head against the window and stared outside, pretending I wasn’t here.
After five minutes, Bianca began her little games, hoping to get a reaction from me.
She placed her hand on Marcus’s thigh, and her fingers trailed up in slow circles. I didn’t bother looking, but from the corner of my eye, I could see her giving me a mocking side glance.
Marcus stiffened immediately. “Bianca,” he warned, murmuring under his breath, moving her hand off.
She blinked innocently. “What?”
When he didn’t say anything, she returned her hand, and continued, moving her fingers higher this time.
“I said stop it,” Marcus snapped, more firmly now.
She flinched, and her eyes welled up with tears instantly as she turned away and began to cry softly into her palms.
“Why are you yelling at me?” she whimpered, her voice trembling. “I’m pregnant, Marcus… and you’re yelling…”
He exhaled heavily, his expression softening. “I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to yell. Just… stop doing that when…when…. she’s here.”
He didn’t mention my name, as if I were a ghost in the backseat, an intruder to their private time.
Bianca sniffed, then she leaned forward, and began searching through the compartment. “I’m just looking for tissues,” she muttered.
What she pulled out was definitely not tissue.
She held up a tiny piece of lace fabric. They were red panties, and she laughed in delight.
“Oh my god, Marcus,” she giggled. “Remember this? When we couldn’t make it to the hotel? You pulled me to your lap right in this car and—”
“That’s enough,” Marcus said tightly, not looking at her.
“Oh, relax,” Bianca said with a roll of her eyes. “Isabella understands that it’s just the hormones. Hormones make one very horny, thankfully… I have you for that.” She murmured softly, placing her hand on Marcus’s thigh again. This time he didn’t say anything.
Marcus glanced at me through the rearview mirror, and for a moment, our eyes met, but I looked away before he could see anything in my eyes.
.
Immediately I got to the orphanage, I stepped out of the car without saying a word, leaving Marcus and Bianca behind.
I walked through the familiar gates and into the building that had been my father’s life’s work. My chest tightened with the memory, but I pushed it aside, I had work to do.
The administrator, Mr. Jackson, looked up as I entered his office. His eyes widened in surprise as he saw me, and then he smiled warmly.
“Miss Isabella,” he said, standing quickly. “You’re back.”
“I need to talk to you,” I said, wasting no time in getting to business.
Just as we were concluding our discussion, a loud, piercing cry echoed through the halls.
My heart skipped a beat. Something was wrong.
I turned and ran out of the room, Mr. Jackson followed behind me.
The stench of smoke hit me immediately I stepped out.
I could hear screams coming from the west wing. I rushed forward, and froze in place as I stared in horror at the scene before me.
Chapter 10
Isabella's POV
The west wing of the orphanage was on fire.
The flames burned furiously, consuming everything in their path, and the thick black smoke pierced through my lungs.
Children were sobbing. Some were already outside, others were trapped, and the staff tried desperately to evacuate them.
“What the hell happened here? How did this happen?” I asked frantically.
One of the staff replied, crying hard. “It's your step sister, she started the fire. She kept messing with the gas cookers in the kitchen.”
Rage surged through me, but there was no time to confront her.
“Get these children out, let me check for more!” I shouted to the staff, then I rushed into the thick smoke.
I rushed into different rooms, pulling children out. My lungs burned. My arms trembled. I couldn’t stop. My baby didn’t get the chance to live, so I would make sure these children got a chance, even if it killed me.
My legs ached and my vision blurred as I ran through the flames. The fire was spreading faster.
One by one, I helped them out.
After checking all the rooms, and making sure everyone was safe, I began making my way out, coughing as it was getting harder to breathe.
I blindly felt my way back as the smoke was too thick making it hard for me to see.
Suddenly, something slammed into me, and I stumbled back, almost falling.
“Bianca?” I choked out.
She looked disoriented, and panicked, but her eyes widened when she saw me.
“I—I didn’t mean for it to get this bad,” she coughed, trying to wave away the smoke around her. “I just wanted to scare you… I didn’t know it would spread this fast!”
“Are you insane?!” I screamed. “You set a fire in an orphanage! With children inside!”
She shook her head. “I just wanted to piss you off, because I knew how much you cared about this place.”
Before I could respond, the ceiling began to fall.
“Move!” I yelled, grabbing her arm and pushing her out of the way.
The ceiling fell before us, blocking us from the exit.
We were trapped.
Panic surged in my chest.
Bianca whimpered, stumbling back. “I don’t want to die,” she cried. “Marcus… Marcus, help!”
Suddenly, a voice yelled from outside. Marcus’s voice.
“Isabella!” he shouted from outside. “Isabella’s still inside!”
Seconds later, he burst through the smoke, with terror on his face.
His eyes landed on me instantly.
“Isabella!” he shouted, running toward me, holding two gas masks in his hands. They were from the first aid in our car.
For a second, just one second, I thought he came for me.
I thought I mattered.
Until Bianca whimpered softly.
“Marcus…” she called faintly, her voice was frail, scared, and pitiful.
He froze, his eyes widened. He hadn't known that Bianca was also inside.
“Marcus, the baby… I—I can’t breathe—”
He immediately turned away from me to rush to Bianca.
“No,” I croaked, reaching for one of the gas masks in his hands.
He yanked them away from my reach. “Bianca will need them, Isabella! What if one is faulty?!” He barked at me, his eyes blazed wildly.
I watched as he quickly placed one of the gas masks on her face, and carried her gently, holding the second gas mask uselessly in his hand.
I felt numb at that very moment. I knew he had chosen her already, but being left to die was like a slap.
His eyes met mine one last time, and I stared back into his eyes, but I felt nothing. No sorrow, no rage, just acceptance.
He swallowed, an unreadable expression crossed his face, then he turned away, disappearing with Bianca in his arms.
The flames drew closer.
I slumped to the floor, accepting my death. The heat was unbearable, and everything hurt, but I didn't move.
A sound reached my ears, but I was too weak to move. I was already losing consciousness.
Then I felt strong, gentle arms wrap around me firmly.
A deep familiar voice murmured near my ear. “I’ve got you, Isabella. Stay with me.”
I tried to look up, but I couldn’t.
“I’ve got you now… it’s alright… I’ve got you.”
I didn’t know who it was, but I let myself relax into those warm comforting arms as he whispered soothing words over and over till I finally lost consciousness.
That day, Isabella Pierce died, and a new person was born.
Marcus，One day I will make you pay for what you did to me!
