Chapter 3 Drawing Blood

• Upon arrival at the hospital, Joaquin dragged Zayla into the blood transfusion room as she trailed behind clumsily. He instructed a nurse curtly, "Draw her blood. No need for any tests. Hurry it up."
• A bitter taste filled Zayla's mouth. Joaquin trusted her blood more than her, deeming a simple test too bothersome. Isn't he concerned about the possibility of cancer cells transferring to Melanie? Zayla hesitated briefly before saying, "Joaquin, I'm not feeling well today. Can we hold off on this today…"
• Joaquin's eyes narrowed, a menacing glimmer flickering within. He leaned forward, seizing Zayla's chin firmly, his voice chilling. "Who are you to say no? Four years ago, we signed a contract outlining your duties clearly. Zayla, I strongly advise you to honor your commitments."
• Indeed, the contract penned four years prior stipulated that in the event of Melanie suffering significant blood loss, Zayla would donate blood willingly—a provision explicitly laid out. It was an agreement she had acquiesced to at the time. Even if it meant jeopardizing her well-being, Zayla was obligated to donate blood to Melanie. Zayla was indebted to Joaquin.
• That year, Melanie was involved in a car accident in Altaford. She wasn't transported to the hospital in time, resulting in substantial blood loss, urgently necessitating Rh-negative blood. Upon learning of Melanie's accident, Joaquin was consumed with worry and fervently implored Zayla for assistance.
• At that moment, as if under a spell, Zayla proposed a condition in exchange for her assistance. "Be with me. Marry me, and I'll save Melanie." She still recalled the shock that registered in Joaquin's eyes at that instant and the contempt that slowly surfaced in his gaze, emanating from the depths of his being. From that moment onward, Zayla recognized that peaceful coexistence was impossible.
• When Joaquin found himself in dire need, Zayla seized the opportunity to leverage his vulnerability, coercing him into compliance. Joaquin, born into the illustrious Latham family, had always been privileged and accustomed to life's luxuries. With his family background, he could afford to be as bad-tempered as he was. Those around him always admired him. He had never been mistreated, and that was his first time being pressured and threatened.
• Zayla understood Joaquin's greatest aversion was being forced into actions against his will. Thus, when she witnessed him sign their marriage certificate and sacrifice himself without hesitation, she knew it wasn't a victory for her.
• Watching him go to such lengths for Melanie stirred a twinge of remorse within Zayla's heart. Yet, she reassured herself with the belief that love could blossom after marriage and that perhaps Joaquin would eventually treat her with the same care he showed Melanie. However, karma was relentless, and Zayla never foresaw her fate catching up so swiftly. She was unwittingly diagnosed with a terminal illness, a fate perhaps she thought she deserved.
• As she watched the needle pierce her skin, extracting dark red blood in a slow trickle, Zayla's complexion drained of color with each passing moment of agony. It was a pain far more intense than any she had experienced, including what she felt during a gastroscopy. The nurse drawing the blood had never encountered such a frail and vulnerable patient. Gazing at Zayla's feeble wrist, she inquired softly, "Are you still able to bear this?"
• Feeling lightheaded, Zayla nodded weakly and replied hoarsely, "Please proceed. I'll manage."
• After drawing six hundred cc worth of blood, the nurse hesitated to continue. Zayla's hand felt unnaturally cold, devoid of the warmth typical of a healthy individual.
• Moments before slipping into unconsciousness, the last thing Zayla heard was Joaquin's callous inquiry to the nurse, "Is that sufficient? If not, you may continue drawing." How did Joaquin become so insensitive and unyielding over the years?