Chapter 12
Justin Stokes tried to kill himself for his dream girl for the seventh time and like an idiot, I gave up a kidney to save him.
After he got out of the hospital, he did a complete 180, suddenly treating me like a queen, never mentioning divorce again. He showered me with affection, as if I actually meant something to him.
And I fell for it. I thought, Finally. After everything, he sees me. He wants me. A year later, I was glowing with happiness, waiting for our baby to arrive.
Then, when I was about to give birth, Justin locked me in the house and set it on fire. “Who cares about your damn kidney? You make me sick! You ruined me and Leah and I’ll never forgive you!”
Turned out, it had all been a sick joke. He never loved me. Never wanted me. He just made me believe in a dream before dragging me to hell with him.”
The pain swallowed me whole. And in those last moments, as everything faded away, so did the last bit of love I had left for him.” Then-
I woke up. My waist throbbed, my breath hitched and my eyes flew open. I was back. Reborn. Right to the day I had given my kidney to Justin.
My heart pounded. I knew exactly how this played out last time. Justin had staged that accident, gambling with his life just to force his parents into letting him marry Leah.”
And like a fool, I had saved him. He had to let her go and return home, but he never forgave me for it. In the end, he wanted me dead. Not this time.
Without hesitating, I grabbed my phone, sent Leah’s location, ripped off my hospital gown and caught a taxi home.>>
Two hours later, my phone rang. Monica, Justin’s mother, sounded frantic. “Come to the hospital! Hurry!“}
I already knew what I would find. Sure enough, when I got there, Leah was kneeling weakly in front of Francis and Monica, dressed in the hospital gown I had thrown away. Playing the part of the selfless, tragic savior.}]
“Mr. and Mrs. Stokes, I only donated my kidney to Justin to save his life. I never wanted to replace Lara,” Leah said softly, her voice trembling just enough to sound pure and selfless.
Justin, lying weakly on the hospital bed, was completely taken in. His eyes reddened with emotion as he gritted his teeth.“]
“I’ve told you, Leah is the love of my life,” he said, voice hoarse but firm. “Now she’s given up a kidney for me. How could I ever let her down?”
His breathing turned ragged, frustration bubbling to the surface. “This is the seventh time I’ve tried to kill myself. If you don’t let me divorce Lara, I’ll do it an eighth time. A ninth. Either let me go or let me die!“}
And then his gaze landed on me.”
The second he saw me standing at the door, his entire expression twisted with rage. Before I could react, his hand flew to the bedside table.D
A second later, a vase came hurtling toward me. I barely had time to flinch before it smashed against my forehead.
Pain shot through me, sharp and blinding. I staggered, feeling the warm trickle of blood drip down my face. The world tilted for a moment before I forced myself to stay upright.
“Lara!” Monica rushed forward, grabbing my arm just as Francis stormed over to Justin. The slap that followed was loud enough to make the whole room go still.”
“You ungrateful little brat!” Francis roared. “Lara just saved your damn life and this is how you repay her?”
Monica frantically pressed a tissue to my forehead, her voice soft with concern. “Lara, sweetheart, are you alright? Justin was just upset. Don’t be scared, we’ll make this right.“}
I let out a breath and shook my head.
They had told me the same thing in my last life. Over and over. That if I just stayed, if I just endured, Justin would eventually come around. That if I loved him enough, he would love me back.
And I believed them. I believed so much that I gave him everything. And for what? A year of empty affection before he locked me in a burning house and watched me die?}
Even after I gave him my kidney, he still hated me. Not this time.
“Justin,” I said, my voice steady despite the pounding in my skull. “I’ve thought it through. Let’s get a divorce.”}]
Silence. Justin actually looked stunned. For a second, he just blinked at me, as if trying to figure out if he heard me right. Then, he let out a low, bitter laugh.”
“Lara, come on,” he scoffed. “You’ve spent years chasing me, doing everything in your power to keep this marriage together and now you expect me to believe you’re just going to walk away?“}]
Monica tightened her grip on my arm, concern etched all over her face. Then, as if suddenly realizing something, she reached up and pressed her palm to my forehead.}
