ISSA

" I snarled trying to ke

an. See Clare, you signed a cont

Mark had manipulated me. He had been playing me al

e her my blood, Mark," I said my voice

anger. "We'll see about that," he snarled, be

nger. I had to get out of there, and get as

levolent intensity as he grabbed my arm his grip like a vice. "You will donate the blood,

strong. The nurse stood nearby her eyes down

haking with fear. "I've just lost ou

riously. "You have n

ready. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead as the needle p

ad agreed to be a blood bank for Serena because we ha

but my body was too weak to resi

rried three years ago?" I i

same I married thr

mily including Serena, his childhood friend returned from overseas and within six months of Serena's arrival, she was diagnosed to be anemic and in need of a special rare

so much and still cared for me but now I can't even tell him I suspe

stake Mark" I whispered

I'm making a necessary choice. Se

opelessness wash over me. "She's usi

on my mind against Serena. She saved my life,

od donation, my heart heavy with emotion. I couldn't believe Mark ha

with concern. But I knew it was just an act. He didn't care about me

space," I said, m

t going anywhere, Clare. You're

don't care. I need to get away

ot going anywhere. You're my wife,

prisoner not your wife, Mark. And this

ng unreasonable, Clare. I'm only trying to p

ermination. "No, Mark. You're trying to

ce," I said, my voice

diculous," Mark replied, his

you and your family. And you and Serena can live happily ever after

ke a sister. You're being paranoid,

f the bed. Mark tried to stop me, but I pushed him away. I stood up

said, his voice beggin

space until they landed on Mark. "Mr. Blackwood, Sere

a pleading expression. "I have to go," he said,

I shook her head. "Go to Serena,

se out of the room. "I'll be back," he called ove

he realized that she had been holding onto the hope that Mark woul

hat was never goi

She picked up her phone and dia

ful. "Hey," I said, her voice flat. "I need d

d she promised to help me back any way she could even when I disagreed. She knew of my predic

sorry. But I'll get them ready for you. You deserve so

. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper

l said. "I'll

f determination wash over her. She was going to take control o

ed, and a nurse came in immedia

mination. "I need a taxi to take me to Sky

ise. "Should I inform your husband of your

eed to bother hi

to leave to do wha

ense of freedom wash over me. I was

ver asked, his eyes glancing a

Blackwood Residence," Clar

d resist, that he would try to keep her trapped in their loveless marriage. For Serena, not for love o

of relief wash over me. I was finally taking control o

od up to greet me. "I'm so proud

tude towards her. "Thanks, I could

are the divorce papers," she said. "I've gone over them with you b

papers. "Yeah, I remember. You've been a

's what friends are for. Now, let's go over a few things

rk and his loyalty to Serena. "I remember. W

notes on a legal pad. "Okay, and wha

reak. I don't want anything from him, and I don't want to give him anythi

r face. "Okay, I understand. And what

een using me for years, draining my veins dry. And Mark's been ena

er. "I'm so sorry, Clare. You des

of gratitude towards her.

internally, I still love Mark