Chapter 3
I had barely reached the lobby when Henry caught up and grabbed my shoulder roughly.
“Zoe! Rosie just had surgery. The doctor said she needs rest.”
“We’ve been trying so hard to cheer her up these past days. Then you come and make her cry!”
“Come back with me and apologize to her!”
How absurd.
They only saw that Rosie had surgery. But I had organs forcibly removed – the damage to my body was far worse!
They couldn’t see any of that.
I pushed him away and walked towards the exit.
Henry wouldn’t let me leave. He forcefully grabbed my clothes.
There was a loud ripping sound.
My clothes were torn open in public, exposing my entire upper body.
Everyone in the busy lobby turned to look.
Henry froze for a moment, then quickly took off his jacket to cover me.
“Zoe, I didn’t mean to…”
Before Henry could finish, I raised a trembling hand and slapped him.
I held back tears, my face flushed with humiliation.
“Henry, I don’t owe you three anything anymore. Don’t contact me again.”
I left without looking back. Henry was about to chase after me, but he got a phone call and ran upstairs in a panic instead.
The old door creaked as it opened.
I was finally home.
I collapsed exhaustedly onto the couch. But the next moment, a wave of nausea hit and I coughed violently, spitting up blood.
I stared blankly at the blood on the floor, then cleaned it up as if nothing had happened.
I knew I was dying.
Eight years ago, I was caught in a fuel tanker explosion that killed many people.
Though I survived, my internal organs were severely damaged.
The doctors said my organs would never fully recover.
Since then, I couldn’t do any heavy work. Even walking too fast left me breathless.
Only Quinn knew about this.
So when she found out I was working six jobs for three strangers, even she couldn’t understand what I was thinking.
Just then, Quinn called.
11:22 AM
<
“Zoe, you’re so inconsiderate! You didn’t even come pick me up! Never mind, I’m out of the airport now. I’m coming to find you – are you still living in that old house where you raised those three ungrateful brats?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry Quinn. I’ve been too busy with work to get away.”
I lied to Quinn. She still didn’t know what I’d been through at the hospital.
After hanging up, I got up to pack my bags.
But the next moment, I heard a key turning in the lock outside.
I froze.
Besides me, only those three had keys to this old house.
The door opened. Lucas entered first, pausing when he saw my packed suitcase on the floor.
Sean pushed past him and came up to me, pulling me towards the door. He looked very anxious.
“Rosie’s condition suddenly worsened. She needs your blood. Come to the hospital with me, quick!”
I yanked my hand away forcefully and slapped him, my hand shaking.
“Sean! I’m a person too! Have you ever thought that I need blood as well?!”
Sean suddenly knelt before me, like he used to when begging for favors.
“Please sis, save her one more time. Blood can be replenished, but if Rosie isn’t treated, she really will die.”
“No need to beg her. She’s probably hoping Rosie dies soon,” Henry said coldly as he walked in.
“Zoe, I’ll give you two choices. Either you walk to my car yourself, or I’ll tie you up and carry you there.”
Seeing I didn’t respond, Henry’s expression darkened as he advanced towards me.
Lucas stood blocking the doorway – my only escape route.
How ironic.
The three boys I raised with my own hands were now forcing me into a corner.
“What if I say no?” I asked.
“You don’t have the right to refuse.”
My heart turned to ice. I stripped naked in front of them, revealing my mutilated body.
My arms were bruised from blood draws. There were two incisions on my waist and abdomen,
I pointed at these wounds and shouted:
“This is my body!”
“You’ve already taken two organs from me and drained half my blood!”
“Now you want more of my blood – are you trying to kill me right in front of you?!”
The three grown men froze, averting their eyes.
Finally, Henry approached me.
“You won’t die, but Rosie will die right now if we don’t save her. I’m sorry Zoe, but we’ll make it up to you a thousand times over when this is all
over.”
D
<
Henry helped me dress, then forcibly carried me to the car.
At the hospital, I was back in the familiar room.
Blood flowed steadily from my body into an empty bag.
My lips had turned white, but the ba
was
nly a quarter full.
“Should we continue?”
hesitantly, knowing I had given blood earlier that day.
Lucas looked at me, conflicted..
“Just a bit more.”
“No! Draw two–thirds. This amount is too little, it won’t be enough for Rosie,” Henry insisted, staring at the blood bag.
How nice. I truly don’t owe you anything anymore.
I closed my eyes with a bitter smile.
88
The next moment, Quinn burst into the room like a madwoman, but was held back by security.
“You animals!” she screamed.
“Zoe’s organs were damaged 8 years ago! Drawing her blood is killing her!”
