[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-26032200D266-476":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},476,9,"Chapter 9: His Performance Of Forced Devotion","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He used to whisper these same words to me years ago.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At our wedding, on our anniversaries, even between the sheets.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">That was, until the rumors of his latest fling shattered the bubble I’d wrapped myself in. It was always so easy for him to fall for someone new.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">At first, I’d been the \"ignorant\" wife.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Young and arrogant, I’d carved out a reputation in high society by tearing apart his mistresses. Everyone knew Diego’s wife was a total spitfire.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But eventually, I realized I’d overestimated my own influence and severely underestimated him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">So, I started repeating a mantra to myself: *Don't believe a single word out of his mouth.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Hearing him now, it’s just laughable.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Diego, I truly admire you,\" I said, a thin smile on my lips. \"You make your lies sound so convincing every single time.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You don't need to exhaust yourself playing the saint on my behalf,\" I added. \"Your performance is tiresome, and frankly, so is mine.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the words left my lips, Diego began to pace, agitation radiating off him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya, I’m telling you the truth!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I don't love Aliza Cook! I only wanted to get a rise out of you. I liked watching you get jealous, I liked watching you lose your composure—you completely misunderstood me.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He pulled out his phone. \"Don't worry. I’ll make sure Aliza donates her bone marrow to you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Before I could protest, he ignored me and placed the call.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Get to the clinic. Now.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A short while later, Aliza arrived, beaming. Her excitement evaporated the second her eyes landed on me.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya Medina, you’re still not dead?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego moved in a heartbeat, his looming frame pinning her into a chair.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Aliza,\" he said, his voice cold. \"I’m giving you one chance to atone for your interference. You will donate your bone marrow to her.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Aliza exploded.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Mr. Cox, why should I? I don't want to save this woman!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She gestured wildly at my arm, her eyes frantic. \"I want her to suffer. I want her dead!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She turned her venom on me. \"You’re so manipulative, aren't you? Getting him to force my hand? You're dreaming.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Let me tell you something—you are the person I hate most in this world. I hope you die so I can finally be with him!\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego didn't let her finish. He slammed his hand against the wall beside her head, a low, dangerous growl vibrating in his chest.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His jaw was clenched, his hand trembling with suppressed rage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Aliza, you’re the one who’s delusional.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"This is your chance at redemption. You have two days to consider your future, or I will ruin you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She glared at me, seething, before storming out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego turned back to me, pacing the length of the room, his hands raking through his hair.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya, do you believe me now? My heart has always belonged to you. She was just—\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"A plaything, right?\" I stared straight into his eyes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The girls before—myself included—weren't we all just his toys?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I used to warn them that Diego was unreliable, yet I’d been trapped in the same delusion, stupidly believing he could change.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Now, I finally saw the truth.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">A drop of blood hit my lip. Then another.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Diego scrambled for a handkerchief, his face pale. \"Kya...\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I nimbly avoided his touch, steering my wheelchair past him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Behind me, his voice echoed through the room, desperate and hollow.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Kya Medina, I will make sure you survive!\"\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272929244]