Nolan chased after me and held my hands, stopping me from moving, “Hold on, Bella.”

“What do you mean by you don't care?” He asked, his voice shaking and his eyes reflecting guilt and regret, “At least give me a chance to explain.”

He kinda forgot that he had told me that he was out on a business trip, yet he was bringing Mia for a prenatal check up, kissing him passionately in public, and was expecting me to give him a chance to explain.

“Go on, Nolan. I’m listening.” I said, my voice cold and distant.

“Mia… she just landed in our city and needed someone to help her find a suitable maternal hospital for her pregnancy checkup.”

“As her old friend, I volunteered to help her. But, the elevator… it suddenly stuck in the middle and she was suffocating. She is pregnant, Bella. I was just trying to help her.”

He said, his voice as confident as ever while lying straight to my face.

“Okay, Nolan. I believe you.” I said and turned to leave. I didn't want to see them right now and disturb my mood. I had more important things to concern about. I needed to see my doctor as soon as possible.

But, Nolan came in my way as he asked, his voice laced with confusion, “Bella, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting at home?”

I smiled sweetly, enjoying the fact that he was oblivious to my pregnancy.

"Just a routine check-up, Nolan," I replied, my voice light and casual. "Nothing to worry about."

Nolan's expression didn't change, but I could sense a flicker of curiosity behind his eyes. He didn't push the issue further, instead, he nodded and said, "Alright, be careful."

I walked past him, leaving him standing there with Mia. But suddenly I heard him calling out for me as he rushed up to catch up with me.

“Bella, I’m done with Mia's checkup. Let me accompany you to see the doctor, okay?” He said, his face showing expressions as if he was doing a huge favor on me despite the fact that he wouldn't have look at me if Mia’s checkup wasn't over.

Nolan had no idea about my pregnancy, and I was determined to keep it that way for now. So, I couldn't let him accompany me to see the doctor.

But, before I could refuse him, I heard a loud scream coming from behind.

It was Mia.

Nolan instantly turned back. His face turned pale as he saw Mia lying on the floor, holding her belly and crying in pain.

He instantly rushed to help her get up while I remained still on my place, watching them from afar.

“Mia…” Nolan whispered, his voice laced with worry and concern, and his expressions extremely painful.

“How did you fall?” He asked, “What were you doing here? Didn't I ask you to sit there and wait for me?”

“I-I thought Bella was mad at you because of me.” Mia stuttered, appearing to be in extreme pain, “I wanted to come and explain her, Nolan. In hurry, I twisted my ankle and fell.”

“My baby… It wouldn't affect my baby, right Nolan?” She asked, trying to grab Nolan's attention as he frowned seeing the blood seeping off his forehead.

“Oh my God! You are losing blood, Mia…” Nolan yelled, “How could you be this careless! You know how rare your blood is.”

He immediately picked Mia in his arms, saying, “Let me take you to see the doctor.”

“Nolan… I-I’m feeling very weak. I-I think I have lost too much blood and need it immediately or else my baby would be in danger.” Mia said with feign innocence.

Nolan chuckled. He stared into her eyes and said, “Don't worry, Mia. I’ll arrange them in just few minutes. Let me go home and do something about it.”

“No, please…” she held his hands tightly, “I’m scared, Nolan. I can't stay without you and I don't think my baby cab wait that much.”

“What a coincidence, Bella is right here and she has the same blood group as me. How about you ask her to donate some to me?” She asked, turning to look up at me with a grinning smirk at her face.

Nolan turned to me, as if wanting to explain something but appeared to be loss at words. I smiled ironically and made it easier to him as I said, “Take it! As much as you want.”

“Thanks, Bella.” He said, “You are really kind and thoughtful.”

***

After what seemed like eternity, I opened my eyes in the hospital ward, all alone. Nolan had left with Mia after taking my blood as much as they wanted.

There was a report lying next to my bedside table. I picked it up and read them.

I got miscarried, reason loss of blood.

Someone pushed open the door. It was my Doctor. She sighed watching me read my medical report.

“Can I help you with something?” She asked, her voice hoarse.

“Yes, doctor.” I said, “Can you find me a good lawyer? I want to divorce my husband.”

The doctor's expression was somber as she nodded and said, "I'll arrange for a good lawyer, Bella. But first, let's focus on your recovery."

I nodded, feeling a mix of emotions: sadness, anger, and betrayal. The loss of my child was devastating, and Nolan's role in it was unforgivable.

The doctor handed me a tissue, and I dabbed my tears. "I'll send someone to take your statement about what happened," she said gently.

I nodded again, my mind racing with thoughts of Nolan and Mia. How could he be so heartless?

As the doctor left, I felt a sense of determination wash over me. I would get justice, and I would make sure Nolan paid for what he had done.

The lawyer arrived soon after, and I recounted everything: Nolan's obsession with my blood, his lies, and his betrayal. The lawyer listened intently, her expression growing more serious by the minute.

"We'll get him for this," she said firmly. "You'll get justice, Bella. Your case is strong. We will get him to provide a huge sum of money as compensation"

“I don't want anything in return, advocate Smith.” I refused her, “I just want you to get the papers ready for divorce.”

The lawyer was stunned to hear me out. She immediately spoke up,

“Why are you refusing to pay alimony, Bella? Your case is strong. Nolan has hurt you so much. You can force him to beg you for mercy. Then why are you refusing to do all of this?”

“No money can bring back my child, Advocate. What I have lost because of Nolan and Mia, is priceless. I don't want them to feel at ease by thinking that they have paid me back.”

“Bringing him to justice through court is the smallest punishment for him. I want him to burn with regret and guilt once he realised what he had lost.” I said, my voice cold and distant.

“Do you think he would realize his fault and regret his actions?” Mrs. Smith asked, she looked shocked with my confidence.

“Yes, I’m, Mrs. Smith. That day will surely come.” I said confidently.

“And, what will you do at that time? Don't tell me you are planning to forgive him once he comes begging to you?” She asked in confusion.

“I won't!” I replied.

“Are you sure you are going to part with him this way?” She asked again, trying to confirm herself.

“Yes, I'm sure, Mrs. Smith.” I replied.

“Then, Divorce papers will be ready by the evening, Bella.” She said while standing up.

“Your doctor told me that you are getting discharged in the evening. I’ll then visit you here at the time of your discharge with your documents.” She added.

“Thanks, Mrs. Smith.”

As the lawyer left, I felt a sense of calm that I had never felt before. The divorce papers would be ready soon, and I would finally be free from Nolan's grasp.

The rest of the time passed slowly, but I was eager to get discharged and start the next chapter of my life. When Mrs. Smith arrived with the divorce papers, I signed them without hesitation.

As I held the pen, I felt a sense of closure. This was the end of my relationship with Nolan, and I was ready to move on.

The lawyer took the signed papers and nodded. "I'll file them immediately. You'll be free soon."

I smiled, feeling a sense of liberation. Nolan would soon realize what he had lost, and I would be long gone, living my life on my own terms.

After getting discharged from the hospital, I returned to our apartment as I grabbed my luggage that had been already packed before I left for the maternity centre.

I shot a short glance over the home that I decorated with my own hands, hoping one day my baby would play in it.

I sighed in grief as I decided to finally leave. Just then my phone vibrated.

It was Nolan's call. I picked it up.

“Bella, are you okay?” He asked, his voice laced with care and concern that made me laugh inside.

He didn't bother to visit me in the hospital the whole day after he left me there alone yet he had the audacity of showing concerns about me.

“Yes, I’m okay.” I replied, my voice neutral.

“I’m sorry, I couldn't stay with you. Mia was worried about his child. So, I took her to a better hospital.”

“You know she suffered this mishap because she was concerned about you. You couldn't forgive yourself had something happened to her child, could you?” He explained,

“That's why I’m accompanying her all this time. You have to take care of yourself, Bella. Please, try to understand me. I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

“I understand, Nolan.” I replied, “Take your time.”

With that I hung up the call, blocked his number and left his home forever.

As I walked out of the apartment, I felt a sense of freedom that I had never experienced before. I was finally taking control of my life, and I was determined to make the most of it.

I hailed a taxi and headed to a nearby hotel, where I would stay temporarily until I found a new place to call home. As I settled into my room, I took a deep breath and let out a sigh of relief.

I spent the rest of the day relaxing and reflecting on my past experiences with Nolan. I realized that I had been living in a state of constant fear and anxiety, never knowing what would happen to our future because I believed I was sick.

But now, I was free. I was free to make my own decisions, to live my own life, and to pursue my own happiness.

As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a sense of hope and excitement for the future. I knew that it wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to face whatever challenges came my way.

The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. But, the question that struck my mind was what to do next?

What if Nolan begins searching for me, after all my blood was important to him if not me?

I couldn't hide from him if I lived in the same city as him. Just then my phone rang. An unknown number showed up on the screen.

As I picked up the call, a familiar and excited voice sounded from the other end, “Bella, how are you doing these days?”

“Sara, is that you?” I asked excitedly.

“Or else? Who do you think would like to disturb you early in the morning or have you made new friends after you lost contact with me?” Sara replied, her voice laced with fake disappointment.

Sara was my best friend. We met in the orphanage and became besties before we got adopted by our foster parents.

I was adopted for the ulterior motives by my foster father. But, Sara was lucky. Her foster parents were rich and really cared about her.

Sara’s friendship with me didn't change even after she was rich and had many people flattering around her.

She kept meeting me and supporting me in every possible ways. She was one of the reasons I had survived these many years.

However, I never told her about being taken advantage by my foster family. I didn't want her to worry about me especially when she was finally happy with her newly found family.

Later her family shifted to New York, I ran away from my foster family, and we had little to no conversation with each other, leading us to lose eachother’s contacts.

“Sara…” I whispered, my voice turned hoarse after listening to her as she had been my closet relative I knew in the world. She was not just a friend to me, but a sister.

“Bella? Is everything alright?” She chuckled, “Why is your voice so heavy? Are you crying?”

“No, I’m not.” I said, failing to suppress my son.

“You are, Bella. You can't hide it from me, okay?” She said in a strict voice, “Now just tell me what happened?”

“I lost my child, Sara.” I cried, “I lost everything.”

There was a long pause after that, no one saying anything. Suddenly, Sara asked, “When did you get married, Bella?”

I bit my lips. I kinda forgot Sara knew nothing. She didn't know I wasn't living with my family. She didn't know why I ran away from them. She didn't know the person I got married with, turned out to be a monster, sucking my blood every month.

“There is a lot of things that you don't know, Sara.” I said while wiping the corner of my eyes, “And, I don't know how to begin with.”

“Since the beginning, Bella. I want to know everything.” She said in a firm voice, “Send me your location. I’m visiting you right now. Later we can talk about your problem. I’m not going to leave you alone in this condition.”

“Thanks, Sara.” I replied as I hung up our call.

I had just placed my phone on side table that it bumped again. This time, it was a text along with a few pictures, sent by Mia.

There were her pictures while eating icecream with Nolan. Nolan was gently cleaning the cream from her lips while she was staring into his eyes, looking like a couple deeply in love.

[He left you alone in the hospital to take me out for ice-cream. I wish I had married him instead. Married him or not, he is still mine. Isn't he?]

I didn't reply to her text. Instead I reacted with a thumbs up emoji to her text, indicating her I just didn't care.

With that, I blocked her number as well and deleted them from my phone.