Bloodstained Love

Ever since we got married, Hubert had been drawing my blood every month under the pretense of routine checkups. And every month, without fail, he would arrange a lavish feast filled with nourishing foods.

I used to think it was his act of love.

Now that I had known the truth that he could care less about me, everything changed. I knew he was just making sure my body could keep producing enough blood… for my twin sister, Neel.

I let out a bitter smile. “I don’t want to eat this anymore.” After a pause, I looked up at him. “Besides, after all these years of checkups, nothing’s ever been wrong with me. Hubby… can I stop the blood tests now?”

Hubert frowned slightly, but the look of displeasure quickly disappeared as he reached out and gently cupped my face. His fingers lingering as if savoring the touch.

“Baby, your body has been weak ever since your injury. These checkups are absolutely necessary. We’re going to spend the rest of our lives together—you have no idea how important you are to me. I won’t let you take any risks.”

If the past me heard that, I’d probably would have been touched to the point of tears. But now that I knew the real meaning behind his words, my heart felt like it was sinking into a bottomless pit.

Just as Hubert was about to feed me, his phone rang. He answered, and in an instant, his eyes lit up. His voice carried a trace of excitement.

“Baby, something urgent just came up at the hospital—I have to go. Be good and eat all your supplements, okay? Hubby will check when he gets back."

I nodded obediently, but the moment he walked out the door, I swept everything on the table straight into the trash.

I then headed to the study, ready to copy the video onto a drive—until a notification popped up on my phone.

Neel had just posted on her social feed.

[What’s it like to have a childhood sweetheart who loves you more than life itself? Huge thanks to Huub for booking out an entire hospital just for me and bringing in the country’s top postpartum care team! <3 Every important moment in my life, you’re always there by my side—so lucky to have you!]

In the attached photo, Hubert was holding Neel’s newborn in his arms, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Around the baby’s tiny neck hung the Notebooms’ priceless famly heirloom—a symbol of status and inheritance.

For a moment, I just stared, my mind blank. My fingers slipped, accidentally clicking on a different hidden folder on the computer.

A document popped up across the screen, it was a lifetime trust agreement.

[I, Hubert, voluntarily bequeath 90% of my assets into an annual trust, solely for the benefit of Neel and her descendants.]

A quiet laugh escaped my lips—half mocking, half bitter—as I wiped away the last of my tears.

So this is what it looks like when Hubert truly loves someone. Despite Neel had given birth to another man’s child, he was still willing to give her everything—his wealth, his devotion, his entire life.

If that’s what he wanted, then I’d grant him his wish. I’d disappear completely and for the rest of this lifetime, he'd never see me again.

***

After printing the divorce papers and scheduling a fake-death service for the next day, I headed straight to the hospital where Neel had just given birth.

The hospital room was packed with friends and relatives, all gathered to congratulate her. Neel sat on the bed, cradling her newborn, her laughter soft and sweet as she took slow sips of the nourishing porridge Hubert was feeding her.

The moment I walked in, a flicker of panic flashed across Hubert’s face. He quickly pulled me aside, lowering his voice.

"Baby, don’t get the wrong idea… Neel’s husband is overseas and couldn’t make it back in time. She grew up with us—she’s practically like a sister to me. I know you still haven’t forgiven your parents and don’t want anything to do with them, but Neel and the baby… they’re innocent."

Innocent? Hubert knew better than anyone whether that was true.

I was about to cut him off and bring up the divorce when suddenly, Neel, still holding her baby, dropped to her knees in front of me, terror written all over her face.

She clutched the newborn tightly and bowed her head in desperation.

"Sister! I would admit, it was me, Mom and Dad who betrayed you back then! But please, I beg you—don’t hurt my child! If you want to curse on someone, let it be me! Just me! My baby is still so small—he wouldn’t be able to take it!"

I frowned, confused by her sudden hysteria.

Then, with trembling hands, Neel turned her phone toward me, showing me the screen.