Chapter 1

I was dying.

But nobody cared.

[Sophia Shaw's POV]

When Jason Reed came out with his suitcase, I was huddled up on the couch, wrapped in my coat, looking weak and shrunken.

He glanced back at me, looking cold and distant.

Silence filled the gap between us.

Then, without another word, Jason left the house.

After what felt like forever, I finally lifted my head.

The world outside seemed so bright and warm.

But... It seemed like I had been abandoned by everyone.

Even my own husband didn't want me anymore.

Even he believed I was rotten to the core, and that I wasn't worth anyone's forgiveness.

My hand trembled as I gently rested it on my belly.

Just a week ago, there was a four-month-old baby growing inside me.

But even my little one left me without a sound.

I was so alone.

I wished so badly for a little baby of my own, and I would do my best to teach him and shower him with love.

And I would be the happiest mom alive.

But that dream shattered before it came true.

I knew I was never meant to be Jason's wife.

So, I assumed I was punished for taking what shouldn't belong to me.

I leaned helplessly against the back of the couch and smiled.

I truly was exhausted.

I sat alone in the darkness for what seemed like ages.

Then, I stood up, walked over to the counter, and turned a photo frame upside down.

Everyone said love was supposed to last a lifetime.

But honestly, I just didn't have it in me anymore.

I flicked my lighter and touched the flame to the curtain tassel.

Just then, my phone rang.

I turned to the noise, a bit startled, but I didn't answer it.

But whoever it was just kept calling.

Annoyed, I finally picked up.

"Hello?"

"What took you so long to answer?" a voice asked.

Calmly, I watched the flames flicker up.

I asked, "Do you need something?"

"There's something wrong with Emily's liver. Go to the hospital and get tested for a match," the voice said.

I let out a cough, feeling a chill run down my spine.

"Are you even listening?" the voice asked.

I nodded, even though they couldn't see me on the other end of the line.

The smoke kept getting thicker, and I started coughing hard.

"Got it," I gasped.

"What's with all the coughing?" the voice pressed.

"Just the smoke; it's making me choke," I answered.

After hanging up, I tossed the phone aside, grabbed the fire extinguisher, and put out the flames.

Soon, the fire was completely out.

I dropped the extinguisher and flopped onto the corner of the couch that had been scorched by the smoke, gasping for breath.

Finally, I rested my hand over my liver.

My liver? Great. If it could help Emily, then maybe... maybe that was my way of atonement.

When I got to the hospital, my parents were already waiting outside Emily's ward.

My mom stomped her foot. "What took you so long?"

I just shot the both of them a brief, indifferent glance.

My dad tugged at my mom.

"Just shut up," he said.

I followed my parents into the hospital room.

Then, I looked toward the hospital bed, but the first person I saw was actually Jason.

I lowered my eyes, just in time to miss the flash of astonishment in his eyes.

"I'm heading to the office," Jason said, his tone flat.

With that, he stood up and nodded to my parents.

Jason had always been calm and composed.

But when he brushed past me, he actually seemed a bit flustered.

I lifted my chin and glanced out the window.

No wonder he didn't love me.

He wasn't there for me during either of my miscarriages, not once did he stay by my side like this.

I'd long told myself that his coldness would no longer upset me.

But now, my eyes still prickled with tears.

Fortunately, they only lingered for a brief moment.

When I looked up again, all my sadness was gone.

The person on the bed was deathly pale, lying there in a deep, unnatural sleep.

I looked at her, raising my hand.

"What are you doing?" my mom barked, her voice rough and harsh.

But all I did was rest my hand lightly on my sister's head, smoothing out her messy hair.

Then, I finally looked at my parents.

"When does the pairing begin?" I asked, my tone flat.

My dad was clearly startled by how eerily calm I was. For a moment, he froze in shock.

Just then, the doctor walked in.

"Is everyone here?" he asked, his tone brisk.

But the moment he saw me, he paused for a second, clearly caught off guard.