Chapter 2

The color drained from my face, and when I opened my mouth, my dry, cracked lips split painfully.

Evelyn quickly wrapped her arm around Lucas's.

"Lucas, don't blame Aria," she said softly. "Even though the doctor said it was a minor procedure, you took 500ml of stem cells from her at once. How could she recover so quickly?"

She leaned on Lucas's shoulder, appearing weak and fragile.

But the look in her eyes as she gazed at me couldn't hide her hostility.

I lifted my hospital gown, only then noticing the numerous needle marks covering my body.

Normally, donors give a maximum of 200ml, but Lucas had taken 500ml from me in one go. No wonder I felt so weak when I woke up.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. It seemed I had been fooling myself all along.

I was nothing more than a choice he made after weighing the pros and cons.

Lucas picked up a fruit knife and started peeling an apple for Evelyn, speaking casually.

"To prevent Evelyn from relapsing in the future, we had to take a bit extra."

"Besides, stem cells regenerate in a few days. Don't be so stingy."

Seeing his nonchalant attitude, I felt a stabbing pain in my chest.

Excessive stem cell extraction could lead to blood clotting disorders, and in severe cases, even blood cancer.

Yet my life and death meant nothing more to him than a casual remark about being prepared.

Fearing I might vomit if I looked at him and Evelyn any longer, I decided to go home that very day.

Lying in bed, I stared at our wedding photo on the wall and let out a sarcastic laugh.

If I was going to leave, I might as well make a clean break.

I booked a flight for three days later, but after waiting half a day, I still hadn't received the confirmation code.

Just as I was wondering what was wrong, Lucas called. His voice was uncharacteristically tense.

"Aria, why are you booking a flight?"

I used to book Lucas's business flights, so the phone number was automatically filled in with his.

"I've been feeling down lately. I'm going to visit a friend for a few days."

"Well, be careful-"

But before Lucas could finish, a woman's fragile voice came through the receiver.

"Lucas, my head hurts so much..."

Lucas hung up without a moment's hesitation.

In his heart, I had always been last on the list.

The next day, when I returned home, I found the master bedroom door wide open, with Evelyn lying on the bed in her loungewear.

Seeing me return, she lazily raised her eyes, adopting the air of the lady of the house. "Welcome back, sis."

Lucas emerged from the kitchen upon hearing the commotion and explained in a deep voice, "Evelyn is still recovering. It's more convenient for me to take care of her here."

"You don't mind me making this decision, do you?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Not at all."

A flash of surprise crossed Lucas's face. He lowered his gaze, carefully examining my expression.

Seeing no signs of displeasure in my words or manner, he finally relaxed.

In the past, I had been possessive of him. Even if he exchanged a few more words with a female server, I would sarcastically comment on it, let alone allow a woman to move in and live with him.

I gathered my belongings from the master bedroom. Apart from my daily clothes, I threw away all the lingerie and scented candles I had bought to seduce Lucas into the garbage bin downstairs.

Even the crystal pendant he had bought me when we first got together went into the trash.

Lucas strode over, his brow furrowed in anger.

"Why are you throwing that away?"

I continued packing my suitcase, "Shouldn't broken things be thrown away?"

Broken things should be discarded, just like spoiled feelings.

Lucas nodded slowly, seeming to agree.

"If it's broken, throw it away. I'll buy you a new one later."

With that, he dove back into the kitchen to make soup for Evelyn.