Chapter 3

Jason let out a "tsk".

"You really know how to get under my skin. Seriously, aren't you a little old to be acting like a child? You were just some orphan nobody wanted.

"At our wedding, you were crying your heart out, saying you finally had a home and you'd never let it go. You wouldn't leave me. Divorce was out of the question," he said.

I really did cherish this family.

But that was only because I believed Jason loved me.

Now, he doesn't care about what I want, he just says I'm being childish.

But Vivian was three years older than me.

Yet he treated her like she was the most precious thing in his life.

It was so obvious who he loved and who he didn't.

Jason thought he had me right where he wanted me.

He thought I'd cave like always.

But this time, he was about to be disappointed.

I hung up on him.

My dad yanked the blanket off me. "Get up and go apologize! If you don't, nobody will want you, not your own family, not your husband's family."

Margaret stood there with her hands on her hips, shooting me a look like I was nothing. "You jinx! If I'd known back then, I would've never given birth to..."

I caught her slip and stared at her, completely stunned.

"What do you mean, 'give birth'?" I asked.

She continued, "If I'd known back then, I never would've gone to the orphanage to adopt you. Having my own kid would've been way better than this."

Then she raised an eyebrow at me. "You don't seriously think you're my real child, do you?"

I really did think that at first. The moment I met Vivian, I was honestly shocked, we looked almost identical.

But that idea didn't last long.

The way Margaret treated me was so cruel, no real mother would ever act like that.

Maybe the only reason they adopted me was because I looked so much like Vivian.

My parents barely glanced at the discharge paperwork, rushing me out of the hospital without a second thought for what the doctor said.

The doctor warned my vitals weren't stable and leaving could be dangerous, but they just ignored him completely.

They shoved me into the car and took me straight to the Lawson Family's place.

On the way, they messaged Vivian. [Baby girl, don't worry. We've already made Vera go apologize for you. Just have fun overseas. We'll take care of everything.]

The way they spoke was so soft and loving, something they'd never, ever said to me.

Vivian replied: "Mom, Dad, make sure Vera really means it when she apologizes. If she doesn't, Mr. Lawson won't buy it, and I'll still have to go apologize myself. When she's in front of Mr. Lawson, make her cut herself a couple times with a knife.

"That's the only way to really move him. Tell Vera I know it's harsh, but she owes me. Once this is over, I'll be her real sister for real, and I'll treat her right, no more drama."

"Vivian, are you ready? Let's go see the aurora," Jason said.

"Not yet, Jason. I haven't finished putting on my heating pad. Come help me put it on.

"Haha, that tickles! Jason, you touched my sensitive spot. Jason, I love you, say you love me too," Vivian said.

Jason replied, his voice low and husky. "I love you too."

The voice message ended there.

I laughed, then grabbed my phone.

Margaret sneered, "What, you planning to text Jason? He's already blocked you."

I didn't say a word. Instead, I reached out to my lawyer and told him to draw up the divorce papers.

*****

The car stopped halfway up the winding mountain road.

Mr. Lawson's mountain villa was still a long way off.

Margaret looked at me. "Vivian's right, if you want Mr. Lawson to cool down, you need to show some real sincerity."

She dragged me out of the car so roughly that I stumbled and hit the ground hard. Pain shot through my stomach the moment I landed.

I grabbed my belly, my face instantly turning ghostly pale.

Margaret gave me a frosty glare. "What, are you going to say you're pregnant now? Cut the act. Vivian just told me you were on your period a few days ago and asked me not to give you anything cold.

"See how good your sister is? She's got such a kind heart, she's just a little upset. Vivian said this is the last time, once it's over, she'll forgive you! So get on with it already!"

kind heart? What a joke.

I couldn't even straighten up.

I shouted at Margaret. "She's lying! I wasn't on my period, I'm actually pregnant!"

Margaret always took Vivian's word over mine. She barked at me, "Stop making excuses! It's blazing hot, just hurry up and get it over with."

"I'm telling you, I really am pregnant! If something happens to my baby and Jason's parents come asking, are you ready to answer for that?" I said.

My parents just looked at each other, saying nothing.

Then they pulled out their phones and texted Vivian, asking what they should do.

My phone buzzed.

They leaned in close. "Jason sent you a message. You better listen carefully."

I played the voice message.

Jason's voice came through.

"Vera, just listen to Vivian and apologize. Once you do, everything between us is settled, and we can just get on with our lives."

Even though it was scorching outside, I felt like I'd been dropped into an icebox.

Jason actually agreed to this. He was fine with me hurting myself just to apologize.

I couldn't let this go.

I would never get over this.

My phone buzzed; my lawyer sent over the divorce papers.

Without a second thought, I sent it straight to Jason's email.

I typed: [Sign the company contract as soon as you can.]

I bet he didn't even bother to read it.

Sure enough, a minute later, the signed divorce papers came back.

And with it, a message that stung like a slap.

[See? I knew it, you're always putting on a show, scheming for control. Even now, you're still fussing over company business. Guess you're not as fragile as you pretend. So go ahead and apologize, since you're so tough.

[Oh, and I've blocked your email too, don't blow up my inbox while I'm traveling with Vivian. When we're done, maybe I'll let you back in.]

I deleted the email.

Then, I blocked Jason everywhere, phone, socials, every last platform.

This time, I was done with him. For good.

Mr. Lawson's car pulled up on the road.

Margaret hurried over and flagged him down. "Mr. Lawson, come out, we're here to apologize!"

My dad snapped at me, "Apologize!"

I was drenched in cold sweat, my clothes sticking to my skin, and I couldn't even move.

Mr. Lawson sat in his car, frowning. "This has nothing to do with her. I want to see Vivian!"

Margaret grabbed me by the collar, and with my dad's help, they pinned me to the ground.

Ignoring Mr. Lawson, she snarled at me, "Hurry up and apologize! Spell out exactly what happened, and make it clear this has nothing to do with Vivian!"

With all the strength I had left, I looked up at Mr. Lawson and forced the words out, my voice trembling and weak. "Please call the police. I want to report them for attempted murder."

Margaret snapped, "What are you yelling about? Who's trying to kill you? Stop making things up!"

Then Mrs. Lawson pointed at the ground.

"Blood! It's blood! There's so much blood!" she said.