Blood 3

 – Taking Everything 

Donald stayed true to his words and never came back that night. The next morning, a nurse wheeled me to the hospital entrance with my bag balanced on my lap. 

I kept glancing at the doors, waiting. Donald never came. 

“Mrs. Reeds,” the nurse murmured, “your husband said he had an urgent meeting and something about an apology… Do you want me to call you a car?” 

Urgent meeting. My laugh was bitter and hollow. Three years of marriage, and I wasn’t worth a ride home after nearly being killed. 

I knew he wasn’t here because I had refused to apologize to Lily which is why he hadn’t showr up since last night. 

Given another opportunity, I would slap her until her teeth chatter. 

‘Mrs. Reeds?” the nurse prompted. 

nodded stiffly. “Call it.” 

When the car dropped me at the house, my chest twisted. It didn’t feel like home anymore especially not after everything I’ve been through in the hands of the people who claimed to love 

When I opened the door, Lily was there. In my robe. In my slippers. Her hand rested on he stomach like a crown, her face glowing as if she already owned everything that was mine. 

The smell of frying eggs and butter drifted out of the kitchen. My stomach clenched. Donald’s augh rang from inside. 

stepped forward-and froze. 

Donald stood at the stove, wearing an apron, flipping pancakes. His eyes lit up when he saw Lily sitting at the counter. He leaned down, brushed her shoulder, whispered something that made her giggle. 

He had never done this for me. Not once. 

On our first anniversary, I had arranged a cooking date for us. Donald returned from work and turned his nose up with disgust. 

“I spend all day at the office, Kira, the least you can do is give me a decent meal,” he had said. 

“But I wanted us to do something cute together, cooking,” I said. 

“Stop this nonsense fantasies, Kira, I’m allergic to cooking, I can’t be seen in the kitchen when my wife is around,” he had said ruthlessly. 

That night I ignored his comment and he apologized with a flower. I figured he didn’t like being ir the kitchen but how wrong have I been. He loved being in the kitchen just not for me. 

When he finally noticed me, his smile turned into a frown but before he could speak Lily ran toward me, smiling. 

“Hi, cuz, I hope you don’t mind me wearing your things. Donnie brought me back here last night to take care of me and I didn’t have anything to wear,” Lily smirked. 

3/3 3.9% 

3:18 pm Pppp. 

I flashed her a blank smile, “You can wear whatever you want, Lily.” 

“Kira, you’re back,” he said. 

I shrugged, “Why? Did you want me to remain in the hospital? Or perhaps, did you want me to die there?” 

I saw the flicker of surprise flash across his face but he quickly brushed it off and glared at me. “You’re back to talking nonsense again. You haven’t apologized to Lily for slapping her at th hospital yesterday,” he snapped. 

scoffed, “You’d be waiting for a long time then.” 

‘Kira, you’ 

ily interrupted him immediately, “That’s enough, Donnie, my cousin has been through so much. 

Then Lily turned an innocent eye towards me, “Come, join us for breakfast.” 

You should be grateful Lily has a forgiving heart, unlike you, Kira,” Donald stated. 

ily’s expression flickered between mock pity and smugness as she pulled out a chair. “Come cousin. Sit. Eat with us. Let’s not fight anymore.” 

My fists clenched at my sides, but I kept my face blank. 

Donald placed a plate in front of me, steaming with food. “I made your favorite.” 

The sight of it made bile rise in my throat. I shoved the plate away. 

Donald’s jaw tightened. “What’s this? You’re rejecting the meal I made with my own hands? Afte verything, Kira?” 

My lips twisted into a bitter smile. “That’s not my favorite. That’s Lily’s.” 

or a heartbeat, his face faltered. Guilt flickered. But then he recovered, shoving the plate back oward me. “Does it matter whose favorite it is? Just eat.” 

lifted my eyes burning with anger as I glared at him. “After three years of marriage… you stil lon’t know I’m allergic to this.” 

The words sliced through the air like a blade. Donald froze. 

Silence fell. Lily’s fork clinked softly against the plate as she pretended to be shocked. 

pushed back my chair and rose, my legs trembling but my voice steady. “Keep your food. von’t touch it.” 

walked down the hall, my hands shaking as I opened the door to the room I’d lived in for three ‘ears. My room. Not ours. Never ours. 

He’d said he liked privacy. That he needed space. 

ies. All of it lies. 

began pulling things down from the shelves. Wedding photos. Framed portraits. Jewelry boxes. Gifts he had given me on anniversaries. Each one landed in the suitcase with a dull thud. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to keep packing. Every memory was poisonous now. 

The door creaked open. 

Donald stood there, Lily at his side, her belly cradled like a prize. His lips curved into a smirk. ‘It’s good you’re finally doing something right,” he said smoothly. “You know Lily has to move in. 

Chapter 3-Taking Everything. 

3:18 pm P p p p 

She even donated her bone marrow for you despite being pregnant. The least you can do is take care of her.” 

I laughed, sharp and broken. “Donated her bone marrow? Don’t insult my intelligence. She didn’t give me anything. And why should I take care of her? Is she pregnant for you, Donald?” 

His eyes narrowed, hard and cold. “Ungrateful. You’ve always been ungrateful and talking monsense.” 

At his side, Lily sniffled, tears glistening in her eyes. “Donnie, please… don’t fight. I’ll go back home. I don’t want to make Kira uncomfortable.” 

Donald wrapped an arm around her shoulders instantly. “You’re not going anywhere. This is you room now. Kira will take care of you.” 

My chest burned, but my face stayed calm. “She can have it all, even the house, I don’t care anymore.” 

Donald rolled his eyes, “Stop being dramatic, Kira, it’s just a bedroom. You can use the guestroom.” 

zipped the suitcase shut and lifted it. But before I could take a step, Donald’s voice cracked like a whip. 

“Wait.” 

turned slowly. His eyes gleamed with something cruel. 

“Give Lily your necklace. The one your father gave you. She needs it-to protect her from nightmares.” 

The breath caught in my throat. My hand flew to the chain around my neck. The necklace was the last piece of my father I had left. His blessing. His memory. His love. 

And Donald wanted me to hand it to her. 

My fingers tightened around it, pressing it into my skin until it hurt. 

Kira’s Pov