Betrayed by My Husband and My Family, I Returned to My Empire

Erika’s Pov

I stared at Jacob as he stormed toward me and grabbed my wrist, his face twisted in anger.

“How dare you hurt her when you know she's sick! Do you want to kill her?!” he snarled at me.

“If I could, I wouldn’t hesitate,” I shot back, my voice shaking but firm.

Jacob looked taken aback by my response. He wasn't used to me ever talking back at him. All the years we spent together we'd quarrel and I would cower and apologize but not anymore.

His grip tightened. “When did you become this vicious, Erika? Your jealousy has turned you into something ugly.”

“It’s not her fault, Jacob. Please don't fight because of me. Erika didn't do anything, I just lost my balance,” Lily’s innocent voice sounded.

Jacob rushed toward her, carrying her up like a fragile doll, “You’re too kind, Lily. I’m sorry she keeps hurting you.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “Kind? You call this kind? I heard everything, Jacob. My son’s heart and the transplant. I know what you all did.”

For a split second, guilt flickered in his eyes then it disappeared immediately.

“If I had told you, you wouldn’t have agreed,” he said flatly.

The bathroom suddenly felt smaller and harder to breathe in as I stared at him with wide eyes.

“So you admit it,” I whispered. “You got her pregnant then killed our child to save hers.”

“He was my son too,” Jacob snapped. “I had the right to decide. Lily is dying. You can have another child. She can’t.”

“People die every day,” I said, my voice turning cold. “Her death won’t be special.”

Lily whimpered dramatically against his chest. “Please don’t fight over me. I never wanted this…”

Jacob glared at me like I was filth beneath his shoe.

“You disgust me, Erika. Your own sister is dying and all you care about is yourself. I’m sure your dead son is grateful he doesn’t have to call you mother.”

The words slammed into me as my knees buckled and I hit the floor.

For a moment, I couldn’t hear anything except the ringing in my ears.

Then slow clapping echoed down the corridor and my father’s voice sounded, “Yes, Jacob, you're right.”

I turned to see my parents standing at the end of the hallway.

My mother rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Lily. “Oh my poor baby, did she hurt you again?”

My father’s eyes were cold as they settled on me. “Erika, what is wrong with you?”

I stared at them from the floor. “You knew,” I whispered. “You knew they were taking my son’s heart. You all knew the truth and kept lying to me for months!”

My mother didn’t even blink. “Lower your voice. This is a hospital.”

My father sighed heavily. “You should be ashamed of yourself. Lily doesn’t have long. Instead of supporting her, you’re attacking her.”

“She lied about having cancer!” I cried.

A nurse passing by slowed down, staring at me like I was hysterical.

Jacob’s expression hardened.

“That’s enough,” he said. “You’ve clearly lost your mind.”

He turned to my parents. “I think she needs a psychiatric evaluation. She’s unstable, hallucinating, and making wild accusations about Lily’s condition.”

My mother nodded immediately. “Yes, that might be best. Her jealousy has finally driven her mad.”

I felt something inside me crack.

“You’re going to label me insane?” I asked hoarsely.

“If that’s what it takes to protect Lily from you,” Jacob replied coldly. “I won’t hesitate.”

A few nurses were now whispering nearby. I could feel their eyes on me. It was filled with judgment and disgust.

Lily peeked at me from Jacob’s chest and flashed me a smug grin.

That was the moment my tears stopped. It was strange how quickly grief could turn into clarity.

They had taken my child from me and probably thought I was too helpless and alone to fight them but they're wrong.

I slowly pushed myself up from the floor and stared at them with cold eyes.

“You all deserve each other and I'll make you regret it,” I vowed then I turned and walked away.

I limped back to my hospital room and closed the door behind me.

For several seconds, I just stood there staring at my reflection in the mirror, then I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn't called in six months.

The line connected almost instantly.

“Grandpa,” I said softly. “I’m ready to come home.”

Six months ago, I saved a stranger who turned out to be my grandfather.

He told me my parents had died in a car accident when I was just three years old. Someone rescued me and took me to an orphanage, he did everything he could but he was unable to locate me.

He told me to come back home with him and that everything he owned was mine. The only issue was that my parents had betrothed me to the son of their business partner before they died so before I could claim my inheritance, I had to get married to him.

I should have left Jacob that same day but I was still in love so I thanked my grandfather and told him I couldn't accept his offer or marry someone else. How wrong had I been.

“Are you sure, Erika?” My grandfather’s worried voice pulled me out of my thoughts, “Last time we spoke you said you were married and you refused my offer.”

“I was wrong. I will return to take over my inheritance and get married to Liam Reynolds just as my late parents wanted,” I stated.

“Oh my dear child, that's wonderful news. I can't tell you how happy I am,” my grandfather said, “When should I come get you?”

“Just give me a few days to tidy things up here quickly but I’d like it if the wedding is arranged quickly,” I answered.

“What wedding Erika?” a voice asked.

I looked up and saw Jacob standing in front of the doorway, his eyes filled with suspicion.