Chapter 3

Suddenly, I felt something wet between my legs. When I looked down, I saw blood.

Horrified, I curled up on the bed, screaming Saul's name over and over.

I didn't want to die, and I definitely didn't want my baby to die.

But Saul, just leaving Hailey's ward, didn't even glance my way.

"She's a compulsive liar," he told the guards coldly. "She'll do anything to get out of donating. Just keep her in there. Don't worry about the rest. She'll have an abortion anyway."

Hearing Saul's merciless words, I couldn't stop shaking all over.

My life—and my child's life—were draining out with every drop of blood.

And right when I closed my eyes and thought this was the end, the door burst open.

When I came to again, I was still in the hospital.

My hands went to my belly instinctively. I had thought my baby was gone, that I'd donated my bone marrow to Hailey.

Just then, a gentle voice sounded. "Don't worry. Everything's fine. You've just had a scare and some early symptoms of miscarriage."

I looked up at once and saw Brian.

Seeing his face eased some of the panic clawing at me.

I grabbed his sleeve desperately. "Brian, I don't want to lose my baby. If I miscarry, I might never get another chance to be a mom. Please help me."

Brian was wearing a mask, so I couldn't read his face, but the hesitation in his eyes was obvious.

Clinging to him like he was my last lifeline, I started to get up to beg him.

I said, "I'm at the end of my rope. I have no parents, and Saul only cares about my bone marrow. My child is all I have left."

Brian hurriedly laid me back on the bed. "Hailey's leukemia was caught early—it's not even that severe. Medicine alone could stabilize her. It's Saul…"

He paused, then continued, "He's lost his damn mind. That's why he's insisting on the donation."

Brian wanted to say Saul was blinded by love but Brian was too embarrassed to say it in front of me.

None of that mattered to me now. All I cared about was keeping my baby.

In the end, Brian agreed to help. He told me to hang on for a few days—he needed time to prepare.

Those days crawled by like years.

Saul visited a couple of times. To keep him off guard, I cooperated with all the pre-op testing.

Although we were all in the same hospital, Saul spent very little time with me.

One noon, Saul finally managed to squeeze out some time to be with me.

However, just as he stepped through the door, his phone rang.

Through the speaker, Hailey's tearful voice came. "Saul, I'm scared. I dreamed the Grim Reaper came for me. Is he here to take me away?"

After he hung up, Saul gave me a couple of quick reminders and hurried out.

I knew Hailey was afraid that if Saul spent too much time around me, he might start to have second thoughts.

But I'd already prepared the divorce papers.

I had no use for a man who could turn his back on me and our baby.

*****

Finally, the day came.

Clutching my belly, I couldn't help but silently prayed for my baby to hang in there. Soon, we'd be out of here.

Brian showed up right on time.

He injected the bodyguards on duty with a sedative and wheeled me out of the room. Just when I thought we were finally free, Saul came striding straight toward us.

I clenched my fists, cold sweat breaking out on my forehead.

When Saul saw Brian pushing me, he stepped right in front of us, blocking our way.

Brian patted my shoulder, signaling to me not to be scared.

I ducked my head, feeling too nervous to meet Saul's eyes. Truth was, I didn't want to look at him either.

Noticing this, Saul crouched down in front of me, speaking apologetically, "Don't be afraid. Once the surgery's over, I'll treat you even better, I promise."

I sneered inwardly. Saul didn't give a damn if I or my baby lived or died. Yet he wanted me to believe in his promises?

When I kept ignoring him, acting all distant, Saul turned to Brian and said, "Something urgent came up at work. Make sure you look after her."

As Saul strode off, Brian and I finally let out a sigh.

By the time we got to the airport, it was the middle of the night.

Brian handed me a envelope with a smile. "From now on, you're Erin Pearson. Live your life and make the most of it."

He'd really set me up with a whole new life. I couldn't help tearing up. "Thanks, Brian."

That funeral Saul took me to three years ago was still fresh in my memory.

It was held for Brian's sister, Erin.

Brian hugged me.

I couldn't help worrying. "If I just take off like this, Saul's definitely gonna come after you."

When I begged Brian for help, I had let my heart overrule my head. The thought of losing my baby was just too much for me to bear.

But while I waited to leave, I kept stressing about whether Brian would really be okay.

Brian just smiled and said, "Don't worry. I became a doctor because Erin died in childbirth, abandoned by her bastard boyfriend.

"Saving you… it's redemption for me. And besides, I'm going home to inherit the Pearson Group. Saul can't touch me."

With his reassurance, I boarded the plane to Hopin City.

Outside the window was nothing but blue skies and white clouds. For the first time, my future felt wide open.

No matter how hard things get, as long as I had my child, I'd fight to survive.

When I opened up the envelope Brian handed me, I was floored. Inside were finalized divorce papers.

I remembered how helpless I'd felt, clutching that draft divorce agreement, not knowing what to do. Then Brian came over and said he'd take care of it for me.

Brian had done it. I was free.

I arrived at the hospital Brian hooked me up with. I even got to stay in a private VIP room where I could finally relax and just focus on having my baby.

That was when I overheard the doctors talking and finally found out who Brian really was.

Turned out, he was the heir to Navale City's wealthiest family.

Brian didn't just set me up with a hospital, he also got me into the best maternity care center and even gifted me a new apartment.

It was then that I truly understood how comforting it was to have family looking out for you.

I'd spend my whole life repaying Brian for everything he had done for me.