chapter 4

With that, I turned and walked away, their curses chasing me down the corridor.

Soon after, Isabelle announced her pregnancy. Marcus sought me out, claiming he'd misspoken before. He'd even found a marrow donor and would personally perform the transplant.

Instead, I nearly bled out on the operating table.

This afternoon, a photo from Isabelle popped up on my phone. She lay in Linda's lap, sun on her face, serene as a painting. I'd long grown immune to her provocations and blocked her on the spot.

Then, I rang Grace Wu, my attorney. “Grace, ready for a new case?”

I'd survived by sheer luck. It was time for reckoning.

No sooner had we hung up than Leon stormed in, drenched in sweat, still wearing the shirt I'd pressed two days ago.

“Elena, Isabelle was pregnant! You stressed her out, and she lost the baby. Are you happy now? If I'd known how vicious you were, I'd never have married you!”

I lay in bed, waiting for him to finish. “Let's get a divorce.”

Leon froze, brow furrowing. “What tantrum is this? The company is about to go public. You want to ruin me?”

I met his glare. “Is Isabelle's child yours?”

Panic flashed across his face, but he quickly recovered. “What was I supposed to do? You can't have children, and I'm not dying without an heir.”

I nodded. “I understand. That's why we're divorcing.”

No wonder that once Isabelle was pregnant, Leon moved her into our home and hired a battalion of housekeepers. He claimed he was 'being considerate' when he was really building a happy family with my sister. But an ugly divorce scandal would tank his pending IPO.

His tone softened. “Elena, I was wrong. The company is our joint effort. Let's wait until after the IPO, okay?”

His voice was gentle again—the same routine he used to coax me every time he ignored me for Isabelle.

I'd hauled my failing body across town to land clients, fainting more than once in traffic, all for the “family” he promised me.

Yet, betrayal was my reward.

A wave of nausea hit; I leaned over and vomited while Leon recoiled in disgust.

Wiping my mouth, I fixed him with a stare. “Who exactly were you calling just now?” In that moment, I understood: during every lovemaking session, he had me turn away because the only woman in his heart was Isabelle.

I was nothing but the consolation prize after Isabelle tossed him aside. Even his so-called confession had only been part of their plan to harvest my kidney.

Leon's smile stiffened. “Quit the drama; my patience has limits.”

He, the cheater, dared threaten me.

Ignoring his threat, I said, “I'll leave you the company. Transfer fifty million to me, and my lawyer will draft the divorce papers.”

Seeing I was serious, Leon leapt up and snarled, “After all these years living off me, you'd starve without my money!” He lunged, fingers closing around my throat.

I clawed at his wrists, gasping. “Let go!” I won't let my second chance end like this.

Leon only tightened his grip. Black dots danced before my eyes.

“Stop!”

The door burst open. Evan strode in, yanked Leon off me, and shoved him aside.

Freed, I gulped air, tears spilling unchecked.

Leon stumbled, crashing to the floor.

He lashed out, “Touch me again and I'll make sure you're run out of the capital!”

Evan's fist curled. “Get out!” The glare he leveled at Leon was sharp enough to cut glass.

The commotion drew a crowd outside the ward. Sensing danger, Leon beat a hasty retreat.

At the door, he spat, “Divorce? Over my dead body.”