Mia:

As I strode down the sterile hospital corridors, my thoughts were consumed by Tobias. Would he be home? How would he react to me going outside? I pushed aside my worries, for now, ready to face my mom and sister. My mother’s eyes met mine, and without a moment’s pause, she launched into a tirade.

"You ungrateful child! What took you so long? Doctor! Doctor! She's here, hurry up and draw her blood! Nothing must happen to Leah!"

Her frantic worry for Leah was palpable. Leah, lying in the bed, managed a smirk and said in a sickening sweet voice, "Mia, I’m so sorry to trouble you."

"Leah, just lay down and rest," Mom snapped. "How are you troubling her? She’s merely your personal blood bank. If it weren’t for her rare blood type, she would have been out of this house ages ago."

A chilling flashback hit me: I was on a hospital bed, begging as nurses drew my blood. My mother’s voice echoed, "Don’t you dare compare your life to Leah’s! Her life is more important than yours!" The memory was sharp, and I shuddered.

My mother’s voice yanked me back to the present. "You brat! What are you waiting for? Move it!"

I pushed her hand away. "I came here to tell you that I will not be giving her any more blood. I’m done with suffering."

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Before Mom could react, Leah sprang from the bed and grabbed her. "Mum, please, calm down! Mia is married now; she has every right to refuse. I’m the one at fault for making you worry about me."

Leah's performance was so convincing that I was momentarily stunned. If she was truly in poor health, she wouldn’t have moved so quickly.

Mom, wrapped in Leah’s embrace, said softly, "Oh Leah, my dear child. How can we blame you?"

She turned to me with a fierce glare. "How can you be so heartless? I’ll make sure your father teaches you a lesson if you refuse to cooperate!"

"Teach me a lesson?" I interrupted, stepping closer. "I’m Mrs. Tobias Gray, CEO of Gray Group. I have the power to either uplift or dismantle the Parker family." My gaze locked with hers, and I saw fear flicker in her eyes. Good.

With a trembling voice, she spat, "You dare threaten me? You’re a jinx! I should have never given birth to you!" She lunged at me with a syringe, stabbing it into my hand.

The pain was sharp and shocking. I recoiled, pushing her away. Leah was quick to assist, her concern feigned with impressive skill.

"How could you be so sick that you had to stay in bed, yet get up to help her?" I asked, disbelief in my voice.

Leah seized my hand, yelling and demanding, "Apologize immediately!"

Ignoring her, I slapped her hard, sending her sprawling back onto the bed.

Mom, stunned, with her eyes wide open, pointed a trembling finger at me. "You little brat! Have you lost your mind?"

My voice was icy. "That slap was for all the blood I’ve given Leah until now. Everything she has taken, I am taking back. This isn’t up for debate." I turned and walked out, leaving them to their fear. I would have my revenge for the pain they inflicted on me in my past life. Just you wait, I will pay it back tenfold.