Chapter two.

Emily's POV.

Throughout the drive to the hospital, no one said a word to anyone. The silence could be sliced effortlessly with a butter knife. 

I had only one resolution, and that was to protest if our drive here was to take my blood for the strange lady's usage like he had been doing for the past months. 

I could care less if I was healthy because I was seeking his validation desperately and I would do anything to save my marriage, but I am pregnant now, I needed to be healthy the best I can. 

As we pulled over at the hospital's parking lot and climbed down, I felt my heart churn in anger as my eyes ran over the huge hospital building. It was a private hospital.

I never fail to feel this way each time we arrive here.

Whoever Nicole was to him, he could definitely afford her treatment at the biggest private hospital in the country, yet whenever I caught a sickness, I would always take a cab to the nearby hospital if Jared wasn't disposed to drive me.

Liam never cared to impress me with anything anyway so I wasn't surprised, but it doesn't make it hurt any less.

I followed him behind as he walked into the hospital, all the way towards her ward.

A doctor was already attending to her upon our arrival. 

"Oh, thank goodness you are here Mr Liam, she's running low on blood again," the doctor said.

Of course, I knew it had to be about my blood. 

She was lying lifelessly on the bed, her skin pale and dry.

"Emily is here to donate," Liam blurted out and a dry chuckle escaped my mouth before I could hold it back.

"No, I'm not going to do that," I was surprised at how firm my voice sounded.

Liam quickly turned around to face me with a huge scowl on his face. "What did you just say?"

"Liam, it's the third time this week that I'm donating my blood to this strange lady that you never seem to take your eyes off of, even with me in the room!" I was beginning to yell now. 

"Don't be dramatic Emily, let's do this some other time," he growled but I stood firmly and matched his burning gaze. There's no way I'm letting my fear of him jeopardize the health of my child. 

"Fine, I will pay you, damn it!" He ruffled his hair angrily as his fierce gaze pierced into my skin. "Just name your price, I will give you anything," 

His words felt like a sharp dagger being driven through my heart. He was willing to do anything for Nichole, even at the expense of my discomfort. How foolish I have been, thinking that things will eventually change between us. It was obvious that I meant nothing to him. 

"Get another donor Liam, it's quite easy," I muttered.

"There hasn't been a blood type that matches hers yet, right now, you are the only option," he snapped. 

"Doesn't that sound lame to you? How possible is it that the biggest hospital in the country doesn't have a blood type that matches hers except mine?" I had totally lost it, my fear for him and the willingness to abide by his rules all flew through the window. 

And Nichole, I was damn she was up to no good. 

"That isn't for you to decide, just donate the damn blood and I'll pay whatever you request, I don't have time for all this," he yelled. His gaze held nothing but irritation and resentment. 

"I'm not feeling too well Liam," I mumbled, hoping that would change his mind but it seemed to enrage him the more.

"I don't care, you'll be treated after you've donated the damn blood!" he growled at me.

"Let's get a divorce," the words left my mouth before I could hold it back.

"What?" 

"Let's get a divorce Liam, Isn't that what you want? Freedom? I'm offering that to you on a gold platter," this time, I was conscious of every word that slipped through my mouth and I meant every single bit of it. 

"What rubbish are you saying Emily, is this a plot to avoid donating blood to Nichole?" He growled angrily.

"I should have done this a long time ago, but I was so dumb to think you'll one day notice my love for you and maybe reciprocate it, that's never going to happen," tears were beginning to well up in my eyes as I spoke.

"I know better now, and I truly deserve better,  so why don't we set each other free and end the torture?" 

He scoffed dryly, his palm fisted tightly. "You will regret this, you know that right? You have no life outside the one that I offer you, and it will be too late to crawl back to me when you've realized that," 

I smiled through my tears, hurricane of emotions surging through me. "Well, that's a risk I'm willing to take," I muttered, cleaning off my tears and bolted out of the hospital ward.

I quickly approached the car as soon as I ran to the parking lot, I was few steps away from it when it suddenly dawned on me, I've lost every privilege to ride in it, I no longer belonged there. 

Slowly, I turned around and headed out of the hospital, tears streaming down my cheeks.

*

My legs ached badly as I stood by the highway waiting for an available bus to go home but none came, they were all private cars driving by and the few busses that drove by were few.

Suddenly, Liam's words earlier resounded through my head. "You have no life outside the one that I offer you," 

Could that be true? Was my life dependent on him? I was beginning to have a second thought about my decision. I mean I can't even get a ride home on my own. How then do I take care of the baby? 

What if this was my life? What if I was meant to endure the torture since he provided my basic needs? What if I was making a mistake by walking away? 

With a sharp intake of heavy breath, I turned around and ran back to the hospital. I was determined to ask for his forgiveness and also donate my blood to Nichole.

*

I stood by the door for few seconds fidgeting nervously with my fingers trying to get my words of apology ready before finally pushing the door open and walked in.

I was frozen on the spot as my gaze landed on Nichole discussing with the doctor and laughing heartily. Surprisingly, she didn't look a bit sick, instead, she looked way healthier than I was. 

Liam was no longer in the ward.

Noticing my presence, Nichole turned around to face me with a smug smirk on her face. 

"Well, hello there, Emily."