Chapter 3

Helen came from an old-money dynasty and was groomed to take over the family empire from a young age. Richard, on the other hand, was just a working-class guy from a small town.

When they fell in love and insisted on getting married, Donald was so furious he threatened to disinherit Helen.

It was only when Richard offered to sign a strict prenuptial agreement that Donald finally relented.

Chloe was born during the year Helen and Richard were most passionately in love.

She was the symbol of their romance. But tragically, she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of four.

Helen desperately searched the donor registries and found me—a five-year-old in an orphanage with a fifty-percent bone marrow match.

She couldn't wait to adopt me, but it was solely to save Chloe.

Because I was severely malnourished, the transplant surgery had to be delayed.

While Richard stayed at the hospital to take care of Chloe, Helen stayed home to feed me, pumping me full of nutrients.

Once my vitals met the standard, I was wheeled into the operating room. Terrified by the long, gleaming needles, I panicked and slapped the anesthesiologist's hand away.

Helen, who was standing by, glared at me with pure venom.

"I took you in so you could repay your debt. Now is the time to do it."

"If you move again and hurt my daughter, I will throw you right back into that orphanage!"

Terrified of losing her, I forced myself to stay still as the anesthesia slowly dragged me into darkness.

The surgery was a success. When I was wheeled out, I was placed next to Chloe, who was still unconscious. Helen was hovering over her, crying tears of relief.

I felt so weak, so tired. I reached my hand out toward Helen, but all she gave me was her back as she followed Chloe’s gurney away.

I comforted myself.

It’s okay, I thought. When I wake up, Mom will still love me.