“Skylar, don’t bother coming back if you step out of that door!” Sadie’s voice rose in a shrill cry as she gaped at Skylar, who had just left the hospital without a second thought.
The veins on Sadie’s temples pulsed with fury. Skylar had crossed the line today—how dare she leave so defiantly?
“Jeff, what do we do now?” Sadie turned to her husband, her voice laced with frustration. She was seething with anger.
Jeffrey, his face grim, followed Skylar’s departure with a hard look. “She doesn’t have any money. There’s nowhere for her to go. She’ll be back tomorrow to apologize, and then we can proceed with the transfusion.”
Sadie huffed, her anger still palpable. “A troublemaker, that’s what she is! We can’t just forgive her this time, even if she does apologize. We’ve spoiled her too much.”
Maisy, her voice softer but filled with an almost gleeful certainty, added, “Mom, don’t be upset. It’s not good for your health. Maybe Skylar will come back tonight.”
Skylar might have thrown a tantrum, but Maisy knew—deep down—that Skylar couldn’t escape the role she had been forced into. Tomorrow, she would return, obedient and docile, ready to donate her blood to Maisy once again.
Maisy, however, was determined. She would prove her worth to the family, showing Skylar that no matter what her bloodline was, she was the one everyone cherished.
Skylar stepped out of the hospital, her emotions a whirlwind. Her hand trembled slightly as she fished through her bag for her phone. She needed to act quickly.
After dialing the number, she took a steadying breath. “Grandma Gloria, I’ve changed my mind. I’ll marry your grandson.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she imagined the happiness in Gloria Hinman’s voice.
Skylar’s mind drifted back to her past after she ended the call. Gloria had been a longtime friend of Viola Zindel, her adoptive mother Janine Yancey’s neighbor. When Skylar was young, she had often spent time with Viola, keeping her company and learning from her wisdom. Years later, when Skylar was in college, Viola had introduced her to Gloria, and they had kept in touch.
It was Gloria who had first mentioned her grandson, Joe Martin, as a potential suitor. Skylar had met him at a restaurant once, and though he had seemed impressive in his tailored suit, she had been intimidated by his aloofness.
At the time, Skylar had been infatuated with Christopher and had turned down Joe’s offer, much to Gloria’s disappointment. But things had changed after Skylar’s accident. When her adoptive family refused to help her with the surgery costs, it had been Gloria who stepped in, paying for everything.
Skylar learned later that while her family had put on an act of kindness in front of Gloria, the truth was they never cared. Sadie, in particular, had been all too happy to dismiss Gloria’s attempts to visit Skylar after that.
Skylar’s thoughts grew darker as she recalled the death she had faced in her previous life. Gloria’s tears had been one of her last memories, and in this life, she was determined to repay that kindness.
As Skylar boarded the bus and headed toward the courthouse, her phone rang again.
Joe’s voice was cool on the other end. “Ms. Williams, why the sudden change of heart?”
Skylar glanced at the bus stop sign before answering. “Your proposal sounded… reasonable, Mr. Martin.”
There was a brief silence before Joe replied with calm efficiency. “Let’s meet at the courthouse at 3:00 p.m. today.”
In his office at Martin Group, Joe reviewed the files on Skylar, his assistant, Paul Ziegler, speaking in the background.
“The Williams family brought Ms. Williams back six months ago. She had lived with her adoptive parents in the countryside before that. She met her boyfriend, Christopher, in high school, and they’ve been together since.”
Paul paused. “She’s been donating blood to the Williams family’s adopted daughter, Maisy, for the past six months.”
Joe’s gaze flickered over the photos of Skylar, some showing her with Christopher, arms interlocked, looking youthful and full of life. Yet something about her eyes in those photos suggested more—pain, sacrifice, and the weight of the hidden truth.
“I want a three-year covert marriage agreement drawn up,” Joe instructed. “Make it happen.”
Paul raised an eyebrow in surprise. “But she already has a fiancé. What if she’s got some ulterior motive?”
Joe glanced at the clock. “Prepare the documents. We’ll see what she says.”
Skylar arrived at the courthouse a few minutes before 3:00 p.m., her personal documents in hand. She had decided—today, she would take the first step to break free from the Williams family. After donating blood, she planned to officially sever her ties with them for good.
She wasn’t going to let her past dictate her future anymore.
Joe arrived promptly, his figure imposing yet distant. His eyes locked with hers as he approached. There was no warmth in his gaze, only a steely determination.
“Sign this before we proceed with the marriage registration,” Joe said, handing her two documents.
Skylar skimmed the papers, her eyes narrowing as she read the terms. It was clear—the marriage was to be a secret for three years, and divorce would follow after that time.
“I have no objections,” Skylar said with cold clarity. “I won’t be a burden to you after the divorce.”
Joe’s expression remained unreadable as he stopped her from signing. “Once you sign, there will be no turning back. Have you really thought this through?”
Skylar met his gaze without hesitation. “Yes.”
Joe leaned forward slightly. “What are your conditions?”
Skylar’s lips parted to speak, but she suddenly paused, her mind whirling. She had come so far, and now was not the time for hesitation.
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