Chapter 3
Hearing Grace’s sudden agreement, the three of them froze for a moment, exchanging glances.
They had expected a fight, yet Grace gave in so easily.
“Lucile’s condition is critical, but the surgery isn’t possible just yet. The doctors estimate it’ll be another two weeks,” Antonio said, his tone. softening now that she had agreed.
“That gives you enough time to finish your art exhibition. Think of it as your final masterpiece. Afterward, I’ll take care of you. I won’t let you suffer.”
He made it sound so noble.
But she remembered how, three years ago, when he proposed, he had promised, “Grace, this may be a contract marriage, but I swear, once you marry me, I’ll make you the happiest woman in the world.”
Yet, Antonio… you never did.
Grace didn’t bother arguing with him. Instead, she repeated, “Then at least sign the divorce papers. Otherwise, Lucile’s position will never be legitimate.”
Antonio’s brows furrowed. An uneasy feeling settled in his chest, but he merely muttered, “The contract isn’t over yet,” before turning and walking
away.
Eloy and Silvia shot Grace a glare, their voices laced with warning. “Grace, don’t even think about playing tricks! Or else, I swear, you won’t get away with it! Don’t forget. You’re just an orphan!”
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An orphan…
Grace scoffed.
She still remembered the day, at five years old, when Eloy and Silvia had taken her from the orphanage, saying they were giving her a life of luxury, making her their little princess.
And now?
Now, she was nothing more than Lucile’s personal donor bank. Whatever Lucile needed, they’d take from her.
If one day Lucile needed her heart to keep beating, Antonio and the Parrishes wouldn’t think twice before cutting her open.
It was almost laughable. The very reason she was bound by this contract. was to save the Parrish family. Yet, in the end, the ones devouring her piece by piece were the Parrishes themselves.
Her savior had become her enemy.
But Grace wasn’t an idiot. She might have let other things slide, but her corneas? There was no way she was actually going to give those to Lucile.
Once she was alone, Grace sent a text to Auroville.
“Can you find a pair of corneas for me within two weeks?”
The reply came quickly: “No problem.”
Grace bit her lip before typing again. “One more thing… Can you help me fake my death? I want to die during the cornea donation surgery in two. weeks.”
“Consider it done.”
If Antonio refused to sign the divorce papers, then the best way out was to
Chapter 3
die.
Once she was “dead,” she’d be free, from him, from the Parrishes, from all
of it.
Two days later, Antonio came back to the villa and dragged Grace to the hospital again. This time, they took another 1000ml of blood.
By the time Grace was done, she could barely stand. Everything felt light, distant. She leaned against the wall, trying to steady herself.
That was when a shadow blocked her path.
She looked up. Lucile stood in front of her, healthy, glowing, her dark eyes filled with amusement. “What’s wrong? Did you really think I was blind?”
Grace froze. “You… you weren’t in a car accident?”
Lucile let out a soft laugh. “Nope. It was all a little game. A test, really, to see between you and me, who our parents and Antonio would choose.”
Grace said nothing. Lucile continued, “And guess what, Grace? I won. They picked me, without hesitation. So tell me, do you still have the nerve to stick around?”
Grace curled her lips into a faint smile. She should’ve known.
With Lucile’s scheming mind, was there anything she wouldn’t do?
“Grace… I… I didn’t mean for this to happen… I–I’ll tell them. I’d rather die than take your corneas…”
Lucile suddenly covered her eyes with gauze and fell to her knees, sobbing.
