A Toast to My Demise

I'm dying at seven months pregnant, and the one behind it is my husband.

Hearing that a premature baby's blood can save my sister, he conspires with a shady clinic to take the baby out through surgery. After draining the baby's blood, he walks awayleaving my fragile preemie to die.

Later, my parents say, "You owe Yvie. It's time to repay her."

My husband says, "We can always have another child. A baby's life can't possibly be more important than Yvie's, can it?

The overwhelming rage and grief cause me to bleed to death. My soul floats above them as I watch them prepare my sister's surgery. They don't even bother to change me into clean clothes.

No one mourns me. No one loses their mind over my death.

Without a care, they wheel me into the morgue and celebrate Yvonne's recovery.

When I open my eyes again, I've gone back three months earlierto the day my whole family forced me to divorce.

Chapter 1

I sat in the luxurious living room, staring at faces once so familiar to me. In a daze, I could almost see the white surgical lights flickering above me.

"Whitney, please just sign the divorce papers," Mom pleaded, tears filling her eyes. "This is Yvie's final wish!"

She sat across from me and held Yvonne's hand, looking at me as if I were a convicted criminal.

Dad stood by the window, his expression hard.

"Back when you came back, you took Luke from Yvie. That's why she was diagnosed with depression. You owe her this much," he said. "Now that she's near the end, you can't even grant her last wish?"

I rested my hand on the swell of my belly and glanced at Luke, seated opposite me. "Do you also want to divorce me and marry Yvonne?"

He rubbed his brow, frustration etched on his face. "Whitney, Yvie's really sick. I grew up with her and should've been with her. If only you hadn't returned"

"Stop forcing Whitney!" Yvonne cut him off, her voice trembling. "I know I don't deserve Luke. I'm nothing compared to Whitney"

Tears spilled down her cheeks as she collapsed into his arms, and he instinctively held her.

"Although Mom and Dad raised me and I grew up with Luke, I'm still not truly part of this family"

"Yvie, don't say that!" Mom exclaimed. "You'll always be our daughter."

She wiped her tears, her heart aching for Yvonne's plight. But as soon as she turned around, the tenderness in her eyes hardened into fury. "Whitney, you were never a Lane to begin with! How could you refuse your sister's last wish? You're so ungrateful!"

"This is for Yvie," Dad warned. "Don't be so selfish."

"Yvie, trust me. I'll give you a grand wedding," Luke whispered to her, then glared at me. "Whitney, Yvie's your sister. I thought you were kind. We're not going to be a real couple. It's just to fulfill her last wish. You really won't agree?"

I stared at the divorce papers, my hands trembling. In both my past life and this one, they had always stood with Yvonne. Because of a nurse's mistake, Yvonne and I were switched at birth. I had only reunited with the Lane family last year.

At first, I thought I had finally found a home and a family who loved me. But from the moment I returned, I had been an outsider. My parents blamed me for stealing Yvonnes boyfriend, for taking the love they thought should've been hers.

But they were the ones who had searched the world to bring me back And Luke was the one who had begged me to marry him.

Chapter 2

In my past life, I had clung to them with everything I had. But in the end, I still lostand I died. Even my baby became nothing more than a sacrifice in their twisted tragedy.

Back then, I had begged them in front of that shady clinic, pleading to spare my child's life. Yet they still pushed me into the operating room.

Memories of my past suffering made my chest ache. Since they hadn't wanted me then, I figured I might as well let them have their way this time.

"Fine. I'll sign the papers."

Everyone was stunned. None of them had expected me, who had been so stubborn and furious, to agree so quickly. In my past life, I had even threatened suicide. But in the end, it was Dad who forced my hand to sign.

Luke and Yvonne went on to have a lavish wedding, even livestreaming the ceremonywhile I was locked alone in a bedroom. I had clicked on the live stream, only to have my heart shattered the instant I saw them together on screen. I closed it immediately.

Everyone had shared their joyexcept me.

This time, I already knew what the divorce would bring. Why hold on to him? It was pointless.

"Whitney" Luke hesitated and looked at me. "Have you really thought this through?"

I picked up the pen and signed my name without pause. The black ink cut across the page like a scar, putting an end to the chaos between us.

I chuckled. "Yes. Since you all think I've taken what was never mine, I'll give it back. I know how much you cherish Yvie."

After what I went through before, I finally understood blood ties were not enough for them to love me unconditionally. The scales had always been tipped toward Yvonne, even though she was the real impostor who had taken my place.

Mom and Dad froze. They exchanged a glance, hesitance flickering in their eyes.

A flash of guilt crossed Luke's face. But before he could speak, Yvonne stepped forward.

"Whitney," she whimpered, hiding behind him. "I'm sorry"

Seeing her cry, Luke immediately pulled her into his arms to comfort her. I simply turned and walked away.

On the day of their wedding, I was given the chance to witness the grand celebrationonly because I was cooperative this time.

Light danced across the pristine marble floor as several crew members moved deftly through the room, arranging every detail with practiced precision.

Overhead, a massive crystal chandelier bathed the space in a warm glow, while florists placed white and pale pink roses throughout. Each bloom was a delicate reflection of the couple's love.

Luke stood before me in a white suit. His hand, which was once adorned with our wedding ring, was bare now. But soon, during the ring exchange later, he would wear a new one.

He looked conflicted. "Whitney, you understand, don't you? Yvie's my childhood friend She's dying, and I can't afford to say no to her. Wait for me, Whitney. Once Yvie's" His voice trailed off. "I'll give you an even better wedding."

His gaze softened with sorrow. "I still love you."

Love? I had once foolishly believed him, convincing myself that he had to have his reasons.

After all, the way his eyes lit up when we first met seemed genuine. Our relationship was great even after we got married, and when he learned that I was pregnant, he cried tears of joy.

But I remembered how, in my past life, he had taken my child by force for Yvonne's sake. Now, I saw no reason to believe a single word of his lies.

I steadied my voice and met his gaze. "We're already divorced. Save that for your future wife."

He froze, but I continued with a sneer, "Congratulations, my dear brother-in-law."

Without another glance at the knot between his brows or his tight expression, I turned and walked away.

Chapter 3

After leaving the banquet hall, I made up my mind. This time, I would make sure both my child and I survived.

I didn't return to my apartment downtown. Instead, I headed straight for the airport.

In my previous life, staying in this city drove me to the brink. This time, I would leave before they could harm my child. They were ruthless, and I no longer had any ties holding me back.

But I had underestimated Luke.

The moment he realized I was missing, he had my bank account frozen. My phone was tracked, and even the flight I had booked in advance was canceled.

I was like a caged bird, unable to escape.

In the end, I had no choice but to hide away in a small rental house in the suburbs. The landlady saw my pregnant belly and took pity on me, charging me only half the rent. But I knew this peace wouldn't last.

Sure enough, Luke showed up at my door two days later.

"Whitney, what are you doing here?" he asked, standing at the doorway with a gentle expression. His perfectly tailored suit was completely out of place in this run-down neighborhood.

I looked at him coldly. "What is it, Mr. Stratton?"

"What are you talking about, Whitney? We've all been so worried about you."

Sorrow flickered in his eyes. "I want to take you back home. Let's live together as a family again."

My heart skipped a beat.

A family? Could it be that, given a second chance at life, my compliance finally meant something to them?

But just as I wavered, his next words plunged me into an abyss.

"Actually" A faint trace of unease crossed his face. "We need you to help Yvonne. She found an old remedy. Combined with the blood of a premature baby, it could cure her illness."

My whole body trembled as memories of my past life came flooding backthe blinding lights of the operating room, the stench of disinfectant, the urgent shouts of the doctors, and then total darkness.

"Get out!" I screamed, shoving him away. "Don't you dare lay a hand on my child!"

Why did I even have any expectations for them? How ridiculous.

"What's wrong with you?" Luke frowned. "It's just delivering the baby a little early and taking some blood. It won't harm the child at all. Why are you being so selfish?"

"Selfish?" I barked out a laugh as tears streamed down my cheeks. "Luke, this is your child too! How could you"

Before I could finish, Mom and Dad suddenly dashed up the stairs.

"Whitney!" Mom threw herself at my legs, sobbing. "Please, save Yvonne! She's your sister!"

I shook her off harshly. "My sister? When have you ever treated me like a daughter?"

"Why, you!" Dad's blood boiled. "At least we took you back and gave you a comfortable life. How can you be so heartless?"

"I'm not the heartless one. It's you two!" I screamed, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

I had stayed out of their lives, letting them live happily as a family. Why did they still have to push me to the edge and demand my child's life?

"Whitney" Yvonne slowly emerged from the stairs. "I'm sorry It's all my fault for falling ill"

Her pallor was ghastly, and she shook like a leaf in the wind, as if she could collapse at any moment. The sight of her made Mom and Dad feel bad for her. They rushed over to support her.

"Don't say that!" Mom hugged her, tears spilling down her face as she shot me a vicious glare. "It's all because we brought this wretch back. She made you sick! She has money now, but it's still not enough for her. She even stole what was yours! She's the one who ruined you, so it's only right for her to pay you back with her life."

I sneered. These were my biological parents. They called me a wretch, looked down on me, cursed me, and wished for my death.

And yet what had I done wrong? Compared to me, weren't they the ones who were more despicable?

"Alright, Whitney. Stop making a scene," Luke said, grabbing my hand.

Chapter 4

"Let's have the baby delivered early tomorrow so that they can save their aunt."

"No!" My eyes reddened. I wanted to try one last time to fight for myself and my child.

But Luke's next words made my blood run cold. "Even if you don't agree, you have to." His grip on my hand tightened, his voice turning cold. "I don't want to get rough with a woman."

The pain in my wrist made my eyes sting. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks as I let out a bitter laugh. Once again, my heart was shattered beyond repair.

"Fine." I gave in. "Then just give me one more day. Let me take the baby to the beach for a walk. I'll come back tomorrow and do whatever you say."

I collapsed to the floor, clutching Luke's thigh in desperation.

"Luke at least let me say goodbye to my baby," I whispered.

He sighed in relief, then nodded after a moment of thought. "You've finally come to your senses."

A flicker of guilt crossed his face. "Once the baby's born, I'll love them with all my heart."

He would love the child? In my previous life, he drained two tubes of blood from my newborn, leaving him so weak that he died.

I couldn't even imagine the pain my child had to endure. And now, he had the audacity to speak of my child like that?

Satisfied with my response, they finally left. I staggered to my feet in silence, closed the door, and stroked my belly.

I grinned. Since they thought I had stolen everything meant for Yvonne, I should return it all to them.

The next day, they came as promised. But just as they stepped into my small rental, Luke's phone rang. It was a video call.

The moment the line connected, he saw memy clothes disheveled and my face covered in horrifying bruises. I was tied up with a rag stuffed in my mouth, staring into the camera as I struggled violently.

"Luke, see this? Your ex-wife is in my hands. If you want her alive, prepare 50 million dollars."

The stranger beside me pressed a knife to my neck.

His words dropped like a bomb in the otherwise silent living room. "And you'd better hurry. Don't even think about calling the cops. If you do, you can only expect to collect her corpse."

Luke's expression darkened.

Beside him, Yvonne covered her mouth in shock. Tears pooled in her eyes as she whimpered, "Luke, let's go save my sister. I know she won't refuse to save me on purpose. She must have her reasons!"

His expression grew worse. "Whitney, enough! Do you want Yvie to die that badly? To think you'd even stoop to this kind of trick to avoid saving her."

Mom and Dad had hesitated. But as soon as they heard Luke and Yvonne, their expressions hardened.

"I knew it," Dad said through gritted teeth. "That brat Why would she ask for a walk out of nowhere? Of course, she was up to something."

"That wretched thing!" Mom cried out. "She's so cruel. What's going to happen to our dear Yvie?"

Even though I had long since stopped expecting anything from her, her words still pierced through my heart like a blade.

Just then, the kidnapper suddenly yanked the rag from my mouth. I coughed hard for a long moment before I could lift my head to the camera.

"I should never have expected anything from you guys," I wheezed, forcing a smile. "You want to use me and my baby to save Yvonne? This time, I want to see how you'll do it. Listen upI don't ever want to see you again. From this moment on, I'll cut all ties with you all!"

With that, I lunged toward the dagger in the kidnapper's hand. The blade slashed across my throat, blood splattering onto the camera.

The video cut off.