Chapter 1
After suffering a difficult labor and severe hemorrhaging, I fell into a coma.
When I woke up, Darren Yates, my husband, told me that the baby had died, and the ashes were already at the funeral home.
He asked me to forget the past and swore he would love me for the rest of his life.
But five years later, I overheard a conversation between him and the doctor from back then.
"The kid's getting worse. We need a bone marrow transplant, fast. Right now, only Yareli Wolfe can help.
"You never should've lied to Yareli. I get that you felt bad for Dahlia. She lost her husband so young, so you wanted to give her a child to care for. But you shouldn't have handed over your baby to her," the doctor said with a sigh.
Only then did I realize that everything in the past had been a lie.
The marriage I'd fought so hard to save? Nothing but a scam from the start.
If it were all a scam, then I would turn the tables on them.
*****
In the doctor's office, Darren was fuming.
I put on an act, bursting in like I'd just rushed over, concern written all over my face.
I said, "I heard from the nurse that Eliana Yates needs a bone marrow transplant. Let me help. Saving her is what matters most right now."
Donating my bone marrow was just a way to get Darren to let his guard down.
Darren looked both relieved and happy, pulling me into a tight hug, his voice soft and gentle.
He whispered, "Yareli, thank you so much."
His embrace was as warm as ever, but my heart was ice.
The kinder he was to me, the crueler it felt.
I knew every word of thanks was really meant for Dahlia Brooks.
Back when I had those complications during childbirth and lost so much blood, I came close to dying several times.
Even after they managed to save me, depression tormented me for months on end.
I cried every single day, and whenever I closed my eyes, all I could see was my baby's lifeless body.
During that time, Darren was always there for me, catering to my every whim, treating me with endless patience and care.
I thought he was my salvation, but in the end, he was the one who dragged me straight into hell.
Lost in my own thoughts, my phone buzzed. Dahlia was calling.
She claimed she was so worried about Eliana being sick that she hadn't slept all night, and wanted Darren to go home and drop off some sleeping pills.
If she actually cared about Eliana, she'd be here at the hospital. She just didn't want me and Darren getting close without her around.
Her absence was just what I needed, a rare moment alone with Eliana.
After Darren left, I went to the hospital room to see my daughter.
As soon as she saw me, she blinked her big, round eyes and greeted me in that sweet, babyish voice of hers.
"Hi, Yareli," she said.
My eyes welled up as I gently pulled her into my arms, holding her tiny hand.
But soon, I sensed something was wrong.
Her delicate little arms were covered in marks and bruises.
My brows furrowed as I asked softly, "Sweetheart, what happened to your arms?"
Eliana timidly lowered her head, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mommy hit me."
It felt like my heart was being stabbed, but I forced myself not to cry.
"Did you tell Darren?" I asked.
Eliana nodded. "Yeah, I told him. Darren said if I behave next time, Mommy won't hurt me anymore."
I was shaking with rage, and my whole body went cold.
This was his own daughter, and he just turned a blind eye while Dahlia hurt her.
Furious, I was about to call Darren and confront him.
But my phone was still open to my social media feed, and I immediately spotted a post from Dahlia.
The photo showed Darren's back as he worked in the kitchen.
I let out a cold, mocking laugh.
Guess Dahlia didn't even bother to pretend anymore.
I tapped into her social feed.
Sure enough, it was nothing but pictures of her and Darren living it up overseas.
The dates lined up exactly with when Darren claimed he was out of town for work.
I could see Eliana looking all awkward and anxious in every single shot.
But Dahlia and Darren just pretended not to see a thing.
The bond between Eliana and me was just too overwhelming. I couldn't hold back my grief anymore and broke down crying right in front of her.
Eliana gently wiped away my tears, acting like a little grown-up as she tried to comfort me.
"Yareli, I really like you. Please don't cry," she said softly.
I stroked her cheek, choking back my sobs, my voice trembling with emotion.
"Would you like to come stay at my home? I'll buy you lots and lots of toys and treats," I said.
Eliana's eyes lit up, and she clapped her little hands.
"Yes, yes. As long as I get enough to eat, I'll go anywhere," she said eagerly.
She'd go with me just to have enough to eat.
Dahlia and Darren indeed did not take good care of her.
I was so heartbroken I could barely breathe, and I gently pulled Eliana into my arms.
That night, I sold my house and everything I could.
The buyer promised the money would hit my new account in three days.
In three days, I'd take Eliana and leave Darren for good.