The Day Everything Changed

"Levi, you'll regret this!" My hysterical cry made him pause, but his hesitation lasted only a moment before he continued walking away without looking back.

Before I could catch my breath, his security team grabbed me. "Mr. Robbins said you need to undergo testing first. You can only leave after donating bone marrow."

"This is illegal! Let me go!" I screamed, but I was powerless against them.

Just like that, they dragged me to the operating room. When the doctor approached with a syringe, I tensed up immediately.

He reminded me, "Think about your mother. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

I let out a bitter laugh as the needle pierced my skin, the pain shooting through my entire body. It felt like my energy was drained away, and everything went black.

When I regained consciousness, I was alone in the hospital room. Some time passed before a nurse finally came to check on me.

She said, "You're finally awake. You should go home and rest."

Ignoring the pain, I grabbed her arm. "Where's Levi? Where's my mother's body?"

The nurse looked uncomfortable. "I don't know about that. You'll have to ask Mr. Robbins."

I tried to get out of bed, but I fell to the floor just as Levi walked in. He rushed to scoop me up, placing me back on the bed.

I clutched his collar and demanded, "Levi, where's my mom?"

"Don't worry, she's at the mortuary. You can visit anytime," he replied.

When I tried to leave immediately, he held me back. "The doctor said you need rest after the bone marrow extraction."

"I don't need rest!" I shoved his hand away, my face cold with anger. "Listen carefully—this is the last time I'll ever donate. From now on, we're done! I owe you nothing!"

Levi grabbed my wrist tightly as I tried to leave. "Stop being difficult! She'll die without your bone marrow!"

I laughed bitterly. "Really? Did you think about what would happen to my mom when you abandoned me at our wedding? She was my only family!"

Levi stared at my red-rimmed eyes, his brow furrowing. "I'm sorry about the wedding. We can have another one. You're still Mrs. Robbins."

"Who wants it?" I spat out. "Levi, you don't actually think this will make me forgive you, do you?"

The title "Mrs. Robbins" was nothing but an empty honor. I searched his eyes for any sign of remorse, but there was none.

Levi took a deep breath. "I'll make it up to you."

"Make it up to me? A life was lost, Levi. An eye for an eye. If you want to make it up to me, give me your life."

Levi's patience was wearing thin. "Caitlyn, enough! Sometimes death is a release!"

I slapped him across the face without hesitation.

Just then, a voice called out from the doorway. "Levi! Levi, are you okay?"

Gina rushed in wearing a hospital gown, her face pale. "Levi! Caitlyn, how dare you hit him!"

I sneered. "Oh, that was nothing. What's wrong, Levi? Can't take one slap? Would you like to hit me? Go ahead!"

I held my head high, staring him down. Levi sighed and started to speak, but I left, clutching my sore hand.

"Where are you going?"

"None of your business! I told you—we're done!" I shook him off, and when he tried to follow, Gina conveniently collapsed into his arms, stopping him in his tracks.