Chapter 3
"But this lifetime, everything belongs to me. You were born to be my stepping stone," Madison said coldly.
I bowed my head and just endured it.
"As long as you're happy, that's all that matters," I murmured.
I knew that it was not Madison's fault.
I should really thank her for taking that useless Hubert off my hands.
Madison thought he was some kind of rising star. In my previous life, I was the one covering for him, fixing his messes, and making him look good.
Without me, he'd be nothing but a mess.
Madison glanced at me, saw how weak I was, and got bored.
"Enough with the pity act. Our family dinner is tomorrow. Dad says you have to be there, no excuses," she said.
She paused, staring at my neck.
She demanded, "Bring the emerald pendant Mom left you tomorrow.
"Hubert's business is struggling. That pendant was meant for the Webb family, so you should use it to help out," she added.
I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh inside.
Her schemes finally showed.
Hubert blew a fortune gambling, and now he wanted to use my stuff to patch up his mess.
That emerald pendant was the key to unlocking my mom's overseas trust fund.
It was worth one hundred million.
'If Madison wanted to take it from me, she would have to kill me first.
"Madison, about that pendant..." I started.
Madison cut me off. "Cut the crap.
"If you don't bring the pendant back tomorrow, or if you embarrass Hubert in front of him, I'll have Dad stop paying for your husband's treatment.
"Arnold's just waiting for a reason to pull the plug."
The video call ended.
The screen reflected my expressionless face.
I tossed my phone onto the bed and looked at Chandler.
"Did you hear that, honey?" I asked.
I patted his cheek.
I said, "Your ex-fiancée wants to pull the plug on you and go after my money.
"Steal my man? Whatever. But mess with my money? That's not happening."
I got up and yanked open the curtains.
The sunlight was blinding.
Since she was asking for it, I wouldn't go easy on her.
I took out the silver needles from my bag.
I said, "Tomorrow's the big day, so I need to spice things up for you.
"If I can't have you there to impress everyone, then what's the point of this whole marriage?"
I picked out the longest silver needle.
The tip flashed with a cold, steely light.
Chandler's lashes fluttered.
The monitor stayed silent, but his pinky, sticking out from under the blanket, gave a little twitch.
It was almost like he was pleading for mercy.
I curled my lips into a sly smirk.
I said, "Hang in there, honey.
"For our multi-billion-dollar inheritance, you better toughen up," I teased.
I flipped back the blanket and expertly jabbed the silver needle right into the acupuncture point.
The tip disappeared beneath his skin.
Chandler had been in a coma and totally out of it. But a faint, muffled groan suddenly slipped from his throat.
It was barely audible.
But in the dead silence of the room, it was like a thunderclap.
I froze.
I jerked my head up.
To my surprise, a single involuntary tear slipped from the corner of his tightly shut eye.
I stared at that tear.
I wondered if the needle really did the trick.
*****
I held my breath, fixated on Chandler, not daring to blink.
The tear slid down the corner of his eye and soaked into the pillow.
The monitor's line plummeted, dropping from 120 to 75 like a roller coaster.
The room was dead silent.
"Was there some kind of sound just now?"
Emma pushed the door open, carrying breakfast, and scanned the room with a suspicious look.
I quickly withdrew my hand, making it look natural as I tucked Chandler's blanket around him.
When I turned around, my eyes were already rimmed with red.
"Emma, I think Chandler was in so much pain he cried just now," I said.
I pointed at the tear stain by his eye, my voice choked with emotion.
Emma craned her neck for a look and snorted derisively.
She set the tray down with a heavy thud on the nightstand.
"Mrs. Baldwin, you must be so heartbroken you're imagining things. The doctors said he's brain-dead. How could he have any feeling at all?" she scoffed.
She gave Chandler a dismissive glance.
"His eyes are probably just dry. Anyway, hurry up and eat. You've got to go home later. Don't keep your parents waiting," she said.
Emma waddled out, her wide hips swaying with every step.
The moment the door closed, the sadness on my face vanished in an instant.
I looked down at Chandler.
If it were just a reflex tear, it could not explain why his hand was still trembling under the blanket.
"Can you hear me?" I murmured right next to his ear.
I leaned in close, speaking so softly only he could possibly hear.
There was no response.
"Does it hurt?" I asked again, barely above a whisper.
Still nothing.
I folded my arms and gave his face a good once-over.
It looked like I didn't miss. If anything, I actually got his pain nerves working again.
"Hubby," I called out, my voice low and teasing.
I grabbed his hand, my fingertip deliberately pressing along the vein on the back, a wicked glint in my eyes.
I said, "Pain is good. If you can feel pain, it means you're still alive.
"As long as you're alive, all those Baldwin family shares, funds, and properties are still yours, which means they're as good as mine."
The hand in my palm trembled even harder.
I decided not to push my golden goose any further.
"It's my family dinner today. Make me proud," I said.