Chapter 1 To Hell with the Droses!

• "The results are in. Your kidney is a perfect match for Jessica. You have 30 minutes to get to the hospital for an immediate transplant."
• Seraphina Dros stood frozen, her husband's, Orion Dros, unyielding voice echoing through the phone. She fell silent, unable to respond.
• "Hello? Seraphina, did you hear me?" Orion's voice grew impatient.
• Seraphina struggled to hold back her emotions as she finally spoke, "Orion, I'm your wife."
• I'm your wife. How could you harm me for the sake of a woman who appeared out of nowhere?
• "I know Jessica and I aren't related by blood," Orion replied, irritation creeping into his voice. "But I've always considered her to be my sister. I can't just stand by and watch her die.
• "Seraphina, you have two kidneys. You'll live just fine with one.
• "You're only losing a kidney, but Jessica will lose her life!
• "Seraphina, don't be selfish."
• Before Seraphina could respond, Orion hung up.
• She stared blankly at the phone as a thousand thoughts swirled in her head.
• The sound of boiling soup gurgled on the gas stove behind her, filling the kitchen with a rich aroma.
• She had made this soup especially for Orion.
• Orion's assistant, Ken, had once mentioned to her that Orion rarely ate when he was at the hospital. So, every time Seraphina went to visit him, she cooked something nourishing, hoping it would give him some comfort.
• She always used the freshest ingredients, carefully preparing each meal with love, hoping it would lift Orion's spirits.
• Every time, it was Jessica who ended up eating the food.
• Seraphina clutched her phone tightly, standing motionless for a long moment. Then she turned off the stove.
• She carried the soup and marched to the bathroom, pouring every drop down the toilet and flushing it away.
• As she watched the water swirl down the drain, she felt a strange sense of relief wash over her.
• That's right. She had done so much for Orion and the Droses, but had he ever shown her an ounce of gratitude?
• If that's the case, why should she continue to serve them like a slave?
• Do they even deserve it?
• Seraphina had abandoned everything to follow this man to a strange city, despite her family's opposition. Others assumed she was just another gold digger trying to marry into wealth, and they looked down on her openly.
• But she never regretted it. None of that mattered to her, as long as she could be with Orion.
• Now, though, regret finally crept in. She realized that everything she had done over the past three years had only moved herself.
• To everyone else, she was still nothing more than a gold digger.
• The Droses ran a successful business in Eldoria; even in the wealthiest circles of Ascotia, their name carried weight.
• Seraphina and Orion had met in college and quickly fallen in love, leading to a whirlwind wedding.
• She had thought she would have a happy marriage. But from the moment she moved into his family house, everything changed.
• Orion was always busy with work and rarely came home, leaving Seraphina alone most of the time.
• That wasn't even the worst part. The real nightmare was his overbearing mother, Theresa Dros.
• Theresa held her social status in high regard and disliked Seraphina from the start, thinking she had only married Orion for the family's wealth.
• Soon after Seraphina married into the family, Theresa fired most of the servants, forcing Seraphina to handle all the household chores herself.
• Theresa thought she was saving the family money, but in reality, she had turned Seraphina, the supposed lady of the house, into a servant.
• Even that wasn't enough to break Seraphina; she was willing to be the servant for Orion's sake.
• Because she loved Orion, Seraphina was willing to give everything for him.
• She believed that deep down, Orion understood her feelings and loved her just the same.
• It was just that he wasn't good at expressing it. With his busy work schedule, he simply hadn't shown his love in any meaningful way.
• But Seraphina didn't mind. After all, many men are reserved when it comes to emotions—it doesn't mean they don't love you.
• She convinced herself that her marriage wasn't so bad. She held onto the hope that one day he would realize her worth and express his love for her.
• That small hope made all her sacrifices feel worthwhile.
• Until one day, that hope was shattered. Orion brought home a strange woman and declared, "This is Jessica Yancy. From now on, she'll be my sister."
• A sister? One with no blood relation?
• Unlike her disdain for Seraphina, Theresa adored Jessica. She even went as far as to complain to their guests that she wished Orion had married Jessica instead of Seraphina.
• Orion treated Jessica, his so-called sister, with care and attention that Seraphina had never received.
• When Jessica fell ill, Orion abandoned his work to sit by her bedside—a level of concern he had never shown for Seraphina, his legitimate wife.
• And now he wanted Seraphina to give up her kidney to save Jessica.
• Rage boiled inside her. Just then, her phone buzzed with a new message.
• It was a bank transfer from Orion—One million dollars with a message attached. "Surgery in 30 minutes. Don't be late."
• Here we go again!
• He thought that every time he needed something from her, he could just throw money at the problem. He always assumed that money could solve everything.
• What an arrogant man! Didn't he realize that his actions were as ridiculous as a kid showing off marbles?
• Seraphina closed the message and opened the previous one—a photo of Orion and Jessica sleeping together.
• In the picture, Orion looked exhausted and fast asleep, while Jessica, leaning on his shoulder, had a sly smile on her face. She was smiling happily.
• Her hospital gown was askew, revealing one bare shoulder and a good portion of her chest.
• Anyone who saw that picture couldn't help but jump to conclusions.
• The caption underneath read, "Spent the night with Orion. You should've left the Droses long ago, you worthless woman!"
• It was clear Jessica had sent the photo herself.
• And now, that photo and Orion's heartless phone call had crushed the last bit of Seraphina's resolve.
• I should've known! I should've known all along!
• They had been having an affair for ages!
• Orion had been cheating on me with that wretched Jessica Yancy!
• Now he wanted her to give her kidney to the woman who had stolen everything from her?
• To hell with the Droses!
• I had enough!
• She took a deep breath. Her hands trembled as she dialed a number she hadn't called in years. Her voice trembled with emotion as she spoke, "Dad, I made a mistake."
• On the other end of the line, her father, Emeris Cross, sighed. "If you know you were wrong, then come home. We'll talk when you get here."