Linda continued, her tone suddenly light and casual as if she were discussing the weather, "By the way, we never properly thanked you. You helped William and me so much, paying off all that debt and giving us the freedom we deserved. Oh, and especially for donating your daughter's heart to our son. It’s because of you that he’s grown up healthy and strong."
Her words struck like a hammer to my chest, knocking the wind out of me. My daughter’s heart… went to their son? The world around me blurred as the horrifying truth sank in. Every sacrifice I’d made, every tear I’d shed—it had all been part of their sick, twisted plan. They had played me from the start.
I had wondered for years why Linda had suddenly disappeared after her pregnancy. I assumed she was ashamed, afraid that I’d look down on her. But now I understand. It wasn’t shame that kept her away—it was hate.
The betrayal was like a fire consuming me from the inside. I couldn’t think. I lunged at them, screaming, desperate to rip them apart. My fists swung wildly, but I was weak—too weak. They were strong and well-kept, living in luxury while I had withered into a shadow of my former self.
In mere moments, they shoved me away like I was nothing. I stumbled, the world spinning around me as I tumbled down the stairs. My body hit the ground with a sickening thud. Pain shot through me, and then—nothing. Darkness swallowed me whole.
Just then, I heard William’s voice called out from behind me, pulling me from my thoughts. "Honey, why are you just standing there?"
I turned to him with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. "Just remembering something I need to take care of. You go ahead and sleep; I’ll be in the study."
He nodded, pretending to care. "Don’t stay up too late," he said as he turned and headed for bed.
I stood there, watching him walk away, my mind replaying every betrayal. I knew what he was up to. He was meeting Linda, plotting his fake death, setting up the trap they thought would ruin me again.
But this time, I wouldn’t let them win.
I slowly descended the stairs, my eyes on the dark garage. The events of tomorrow were already written in my memory. William’s "accident." The car crash that wasn’t supposed to kill him, just set the stage for their elaborate scam. But I wasn’t going to play by their rules anymore.
If he wanted to gamble his life, I’d make sure the stakes were higher than he ever imagined.