Chapter 3
My nails dug deep into my palms.
Parker leaned in, whispering urgently, “Scarlett, just apologize. We can’t afford to mess with these people.”
Still playing his part… All of it, just an act…
I looked up at him, my heart feeling like it had been stabbed with a knife.
Bleach–hair lost his patience and grabbed a fistful of my hair. “Fucking apologize already, bitch!”
I shoved him away wildly. “Get the fuck off me!”
“Fucking-” His rage exploded as he swung an XO cognac bottle against my temple.
The bottle exploded, glass flying everywhere as warm liquid ran down my forehead–I couldn’t tell if it was alcohol or blood.
I staggered backward. Through my blurring vision, Parker just stood there like a statue,
motionless.
As I slipped into unconsciousness, I heard someone laughing.
“Acting all high and mighty? We’ve all seen your little video, sweetheart!”
Through the sharp smell of antiseptic, I heard deliberately hushed voices.
“Jesus, Parker! Why are you freaking out? She’s just some orphan–nobody would even claim her body. What’s your problem?”
“Didn’t we all agree to destroy her completely?”
I clutched the hospital sheets in a death grip.
BANG! Parker slammed his fist on the table so hard my water glass rattled.
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From Abandoning Him to Becoming an Empire Queen.
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Chapter 3
“Jesus Christ, Parker. Don’t tell me you actually caught feelings for her? A broke–ass nobody like that? Fine to mess around with, but catching feelings just ruins the whole game!”
The room went so eerily quiet I could hear the rhythmic drip of my IV.
Parker’s voice turned ice cold. “I just don’t want a homicide on my hands.” A calculated pause. “If we’re playing, let’s go all in.”
Someone patted his shoulder. “Chill, dude. Everything’s set. She’ll get what’s coming to her.”
When consciousness fully returned, two nurses were whispering beside my bed.
“What do we do? She’s lost too much blood! Doesn’t she donate here regularly? Shouldn’t that give her priority?” One nurse frantically flipped through records.
“That’s weird… system shows she’s donated 1200cc over six months, but it’s all under Rachel Bennett’s name…
“Stop looking.” The older nurse grabbed her hand, voice barely audible. “Direct orders from Mr. Parker. All her blood donations were to be recorded under Miss Rachel.”
My fingertips curled into claws beneath the blanket, vibrating with suppressed fury.
So that’s how it was. Every drop of my blood had become Rachel’s “charitable act.”
Parker, did you really love her that much?
I remembered that rainy night six months ago when Parker curled up on my secondhand sofa, burning with fever, face white as paper.
“I’ll donate blood,” I’d said without hesitation, rolling up my sleeve. “They say donors get priority access and reduced fees.”
Parker weakly grabbed my hand, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “Scarlett…”
Looking back now, the irony was sickening.
I’d even sold the only expensive possession–the last gift from my mother–just to buy him nutritional supplements.
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Chapter 3
But him?
He crushing my heart beneath his heel without a second thought.
The hospital eventually found blood for me. I watched numbly as the crimson liquid flowed into my veins. When I fully regained consciousness, my pillow was soaked with tears.
Parker walked in carrying a fruit basket, his expression tender.
“Scarlett, baby, the guy who hit you paid compensation. Hospital bills are covered.” He sat on the edge of the bed, gently tucking the blanket around me.
How laughable. You were all in on it together.
I managed a weak smile but said nothing. During my hospital stay, he never left my side–feeding me, helping me drink, even assisting with bathing. But my heart felt nothing. I knew he was just keeping me around for his final, devastating blow.
The morning I was discharged, the sunlight was exceptionally bright. Parker wore a crisp white shirt that made him look refreshed. He stood by the window taking a call, speaking quietly, but I still caught the word “video” cutting through his whispers.
After hanging up, he gave me a complicated glance before slipping back into his gentle persona. “Scarlett, I have something business to handle today. See you on the cruise tonight.”
I smiled sweetly. “Okay. I’ll be there.” I promised with practiced innocence, feeding him last
time.
Then after back at my apartment, I grabbed my pre–packed bags and headed straight to the airport.
Goodbye, Parker.
May we never see again.
