''You laughed at me for being too foolish, I laugh at you for being so naive.''Janice mumbled as she took off the hospital gown and cleaned her tears, her lips curling up into a wicked smirk while she stood beside Nelson, murmuring her final words of goodbye.

"Mrs. Capuno, are you ready now? We're already running out of time." The surgeon remarked when he returned.

"Sure, doctor. But.." the doctor quickly cut in before she finished her statement when his attention was drawn to her dress.

"What about the medical gown?" He furrowed his brows.

"Emm... That's what I was about to explain before you interrupted." Janice sneered, running her hands over her hair before she continued.

"I'm sorry to say, but the gown is all soaked with tears. It feels..."

"It's okay. I understand." The surgeon cut in.

"Just follow me. The nurse will get you another gown." He instructed.

"Okay." Janice nodded and followed after him.

As they proceeded, the surgeon stopped midway, pointing through a brown wooden door by the left. "There's the pre-operating Bay. The nurses there will give you a change before Porter helps you to the theatre." He explained and proceeded to his office to get a few things before going to the operating room.

As soon as Janice watched his retreating back, she quickly took a different turn through the back door.

"Dian, hope the driver is ready? I'm almost out." She quickly texted her friend.

As soon as she reached the hospital back gate, she hopped into a silk black Jeep that zoomed off immediately.

At the theatre, the surgeons waited endlessly for Janice to be wheeled in. When they saw no sign, they quickly checked what could have gone wrong at the changing room, but the nurses reported not to have set an eye on Janice.

"Mrs. Smith. Did you see Mrs. Capuno? We can't find her and delay is dangerous at this moment." Nelson's doctor asked Virginia, Nelson's mother as he approached the Smith's family and friends who  were all seated in the waiting room.

"Wait, You.... you must be joking with this question right?" Virginia sneered, her lips curling up into a wicked smirk.

"Why would I joke with something like this?" The doctor retorted and one of the nurses quickly dashed out to the Ward and checked the rest room, but Janice was still nowhere to be found.

"Ma'am, the surveillance cameras just showed that the woman you're looking for had left the hospital about thirty minutes ago. She left through the backdoor." One of the securities reported.

"What? How could you people be so careless to have allowed her to walk out at this critical hour leaving my son's life at risk?" Mrs. Smith bursted out.

"You know what, I'll burn down this facility if anything dare happen to my son's life. Take this as a warning and better know what to do!" Nelson's mother jerked the nurse by her collar and threatened.

"There's nothing the hospital can do about that, Mrs Smith. We're sorry, but It's either you look for another donor or we keep him on the waiting list. We can only try our best to manage his condition." The surgeon dismissed her threats.

Virginia became restless. Pacing back and forth to the waiting room.

"This lady must be a bastard! I can't believe that she tricked us all!" She cursed.

"I've always warned Nelson! She's nothing but a gold digger! Isn't it obvious that she's only after money that's why she ran off because this one is a sacrifice that demands her free services?" Melissa, Nelson's sister flared up.

"Janice, nobody tries the Smith's family and just go freely as they wish." Virginia cursed under her breath, furrowing her brows with deadly eyes.

****

"Janice!" Dian exclaimed, engulfing her in a tight hug as soon as the car shuts close.

"I'm sorry for everything. But sometimes, that's the sacrifice we do for love. In fact, you should be very proud of yourself instead. Not every woman can donate her kidney to her husband even if they're a match." Dian continued.

"I didn't." Janice cut in, sighing heavily.

"How? What happened?" Dian asked, furrowing her brows.

Janice's lips parted open, as if she wanted to say something, but as she took a deep breath, she began to sob uncontrollably, causing the tears she had been trying to withhold from the hospital to fall freely. 

For almost fifteen minutes, she remained in Dian's embrace, soaking her shirt with tears before the car pulled off at a large house with a shiny gold coated gate.

"So, do you mind telling me what happened? Did the doctors later say that you two are not a match? How would Nelson survive at this critical hour?***" Dian asked after she made a cup of coffee for Janice as soon as they entered the house.

Sighing heavily once again, Janice finally opened up.

"The doctors didn't say anything, Dian. But I choose to run away."

"Huh? Why? But you willingly agreed to do this for your husband, Janice. Why back out now?"

"Because he doesn't deserve it, Dian. The only thing that Nelson deserves now is nothing more than endless pains before death." Janice sneered.

Sighing heavily, Dian didn't press further to pressure her for answers because she can feel the pains and anguish laced in her voice, a type that she has never witnessed all through their two decades of friendship, not even when her step mother fabricated destructive lies about her that made her father end up getting her detained in the psychiatric ward for three months.

"You can read this. It'll answer all the questions in your mind, Dian." Janice finally broke the silence while handing out her phone to Dian, showing her the screenshots of Nelson's chats with Tricia.

Before she could even finish reading through the screenshots, her breath began to change, her chest beating faster than usual.

"What the fuck! Janice, you mean that bastard was planning all of this even with the deadly sacrifice you were about to make for him with your life?" Dian flared up.

"Wait, is your father aware of this? Does he even know whose daughter you are before planning to mess around with your life?" Dian snapped.

"I haven't informed my father yet. Besides , even if I do, I'll only get scolded, and my step-mother, she'll only make the situation worse by turning my father against helping me." Janice sneered.

"After all, I brought this upon myself because I was for-warned by my family but I foolishly insisted on the marriage. So, this is my battle to fight." Janice scoffed.

Dian breathed deeply. "So, what do you do from here? Are you divorcing him?" She asked.

"Not so fast. He wanted to get a huge part of me before divorcing me, so since the ball is in my court now, I also must get a huge part of him before filing for a divorce." Janice sighed heavily and continued

"I'm going to the Smiths Enterprise right now. Since Nelson is running away from spending his money on getting a kidney, I'll help him acquire that in a better way."

"What do you mean?" Dian raised her brows.

"He wouldn't have climbed the ladder to wealth so easily if not for my connections. So, I'm taking an emergency loan that is worth 90% of his shares at the company, then I'll give out the Smiths estates in Albany as a collateral." Janice explained, her voice indifferent.

Dian's blood turned cold. She became speechless. Even though she considers the reaction too deadly and extreme, she didn't want to criticize her, because only a victim of betrayal knows how it truly hurts.

"Mrs. Smith, we can't offer you such an amount of loan without your husband's approval." Mr. Leonard, the company's financial controller, said, his voice firm and determined.

Janice lowered her head and pouted her lips.

"Mr. Leonard, hope you know that we're talking about my husband's life here, right? Mr Nelson has shares worth over $100 billion in this company.

And now that he's battling with his life, do you mean to tell me that you'd rather wish him death than offer him a loan that can be compensated with his shares?" Janice asked,  raising her brows in a slight frown.

Mr. Leonard remained silent.

"Oh, wait." Janice scoffed.

"You know, I've always heard rumours of how you want to take over my husband's position at the company. Is this now your plan to finally secure it? You're angry that he's gonna survive after getting a transplant, right?"

"Com'on, madam. This is emotional blackmail. And...why would I wish my boss such evil?" Leonard argued.

Janice pressed her lips and nodded.

"Don't worry. I know who to call." She added, her voice barely above a whisper and took out her phone as if she wanted to place a call.

"Madam, please wait." Leonard muttered, his voice laced with fear.

For the many years he has worked at the Smiths Enterprise, he has heard about the silent connection of Janice to the company's affairs aside from being the wife of the president. In recent times, he also heard about how two employees were retrenched immediately due to her underground influence.

"It's possible to give you the loan, but I can't endorse it on my own. I'll need the approval of a few of the board members." He said, his voice trembling in fear.

"Better be fast." Janice snapped.

What Leonard doesn't know is that before she arrived at the building , she had already texted the key board members of the company about the loan request.

***

So, tell me, how did it go? Were you able to secure the exact amount?" Dian asked as soon as Janice dashed out of the building and got into the car.

"You don't expect my mission to fail, do you?" Janice chuckled softly, and they both bursted out into rounds of laughter, but Dian suddenly went mute, her eyes fixed on Janice as if she's looking for something missing.

"Any problem?" Janice asked, furrowing her brows as she placed her hands on Dian's cheeks to feel her temperature.

"Janice. What if....what if you get caught after all of this? What if that deadly Virginia comes looking for you?" Dian asked, her voice trembling in fear.

"There's nothing she can do about that. Besides, I didn't steal." Janice replied, her voice indifferent.

"Huh? Like seriously, Janice? I'm afraid for your life but look how confident you are as if nothing's wrong?" Dian bursted out.

"First, I only got this money because it's my entitlement for the wasted years. I would have made more than this if I were still in California pursuing my career, so I need it to get back on my feet. After all, they have no history of my family, so I'm leaving for California immediately to rebuild my life."

By the way, it's only those that have money that can win a fight, right? So, where will the Smiths get the money to fight me? Except if they're ready to go completely bankrupt." She added.

"That reminds me." She paused and pulled out her phone to place a call.

"Hello Mr. Romero. I need you to prepare divorce papers for me and Nelson as soon as possible. I'll text you an address where we can meet up and you'll give me the papers. And for that, I also want to let you know that from this minute, I am nullifying everything concerning my previous will." She instructed and hung up the call.

"Janice," Dian wanted to speak when Janice's phone suddenly started to ring again.

When she looked at the caller ID, she hissed bitterly and returned the phone to her bag.

It was Virginia Smith, her mother in-law.

But the call persisted for almost an hour. This time around, more than a hundred missed calls from her in-laws and husband's friends.

"Janice, I swear to God, you'll live to regret ditching my son on that hospital bed for the rest of your life. Just know that wherever you are, the Smith's family must find you!"  Virginia sent a threatening voice note, followed by several others from Melissa and Nelson, but Janice remained unfazed.

"So, what are we going to do now?" Dian asked.

"Just a chill drink to cool down my head." Janice replied casually.

The ride to the Veritas lounge took only fifteen minutes.

"Welcome to the Veritas lounge bar ladies, how may I serve you?" A lady in white apron asked as she approached with an enigmatic smile.

"A glass of champagne would do." Dian scoffed.

"Yeah. Same here." Janice nodded when the lady's gaze shifted to her side.

"Wow! Wow!! Wow!!! Look who we have here! Now I have no doubt that  this world is just a small place." A familiar masculine voice roared from an angle.

Janice turned.

"Mr. Lucas?" She raised her brows, a faint smile spreading across her lips to conceal the fear in her.

"Relax–Miss Capuno. Everything of the past has slid. Isn't it? Besides, you never imagined seeing me again in this life, do you?" He asked, curling up his lips in a wicked smirk.

"I don't care how you see it, Mr Lucas. But I never ran away from you! I was also innocent of the allegations. I tried everything to counter the evidence against and get you out of prison but I failed." She paused and took a deep breath.

"Do you think I can just easily win over my father even if I have every evidence to set you free?" Janice argued with a flinch.

"Who's this man, Janice?" Dian was starting to get irritated by his unwelcome presence, but Janice immediately winked an eye for her, asking her to cool her temper.

Soon, Janice's phone started to ring. She looked at the caller ID and heaved a huge sigh of relief.

It was Barr. Romero.

'Finally. I have a reason to get out of Luca's sight' she thought.

She quickly stood up. "You know what Mr Lucas, we can still talk over the phone some other time. I have somewhere important to go." She explained and began taking steps away.

Immediately, Lucas grabbed her wrist tightly, digging his nails into her flesh.

"Auch! You're hurting me!" Janice screamed, but Lucas remained adamant.

Dian's face got sullen with anger. She clenched her fist to her palms to reject the rising urge of slapping him, even though she's still afraid of his intimidating physique. 

The last time she allowed her emotions to control her to hit a man with a physique like Lucas, she ended up spending two weeks in the hospital after just one slap that nearly shifted her brain.

"Janice, you dare not walk out on me when I'm talking." He threatened, fixing his deadly eyes on her without a blink.

"Well, I don't have your time today, because I'm here for something more important. In case you care to know, I have a multi-billion dollar business deal to close with the Smiths enterprise today. I know that you and your wicked goddamn father never expected I'll reach this level one day, right?" He let out a wicked smirk.

'Damn it Lucas! I'll make sure I do everything possible for you not to sign this deal with the Smiths Enterprise!" Janice cursed inwardly.

*****

"Ahhhh." Dian exhaled heavily, leaning her two hands on her waist. "Babe, that guy is horrible! Thank God for my past experience, if not, I would have foolishly allowed my anger to get my face disfigured today." She remarked, and they both burst out into laughter.

"So, did you really intend to call him once you get home, or you just gave him your contact out of fear?" Dian asked

"Are you sure you're ready for this, Janice?" Dian asked, her voice laced with concern  as she looked at how Janice's gaze was fixed on the divorce papers.

Janice swallowed painfully and nodded, her eyes almost at the verge of tears as if she remembered all her terrible past.

The golden light from the morning sunrise spills through the windows. Janice took a deep breath, sniffing the sweet scent of the dew–wet grasses as she looked through the windows.

"It's almost 10 o'clock, Dian. You know I can't afford to keep Lucas waiting." Janice said softly as she shifted her gaze towards the clock on the wall.

'Wow!' She mumbled in silence, a light  grin spreading across her lips as she stood before the large mirror fixed at the wall, admiring herself. This is the first time in three years since she wore a dress that really suits her curves. 

All through her years of marriage to Nelson, she has always been putting on dresses that depict her as an older woman just to refute her in-laws' constant accusations of  addressing her as a gold-digger.

The ride to the hospital took almost forty minutes.

"Janice, What if your in-laws threatened you over the divorce? What if Nelson refused to sign? What'..." Dian continued but Janice didn't cut in impatiently.

"No need to fear, Dian. I've already requested the services of two male escorts.  Virginia dare not start her madness."

"That's better. In case she does and lands herself on the hospital bed, then she'll understand why a street fighter like me has to force control over my anger." Dian chuckled.

At the hospital, Dian waited in the car while the two heavily built escorts walked behind Janice as she proceeded to the Ward.

"You bas..." Virginia rose with anger to launch a dirty slap on Janice when one of the men quickly stepped in between them.

"And who do you think you are to raise a finger on her? The man asked, fixing his deadly eyes concealed behind the dark glasses on Virginia.

"I...I...it's a mistake." Virginia stuttered.

Janice let out a wicked smirk as she saw the fear in Virginia's face.

"Oh Janice. Where have you been? Your husband and everybody has been looking for you!" Melissa said softly, her voice laced with a fake tone of concern as she walked  up to give Janice a hug.

"Yeah, I know that Nelson must be looking for me. That's why I'm here to see him." Janice replied , her voice cold and indifferent as she averted the hug, because she knows Melissa would have done worse than her mother if not for the fear of the escorts.

"Ja...nice. You...left. I... almost died." Nelson stuttered, his voice barely against a whisper.

"Yes. He's right. I almost thought I was going to lose him–my one and only son." Virginia nodded, closing her eyes to force some fake tears down her cheeks.

"Yes, I know you might soon die, Nelson. That's why I need a divorce." Janice replied, her voice indifferent as she pulled out the papers from her bag.

"What?" Virginia widened her eyes in shock.

"Janice, please. If you're doing this because of how Melissa and I have been treating you, then we're sorry. I swear to God, we'll never treat you wrongly again. At least, remember your husband who has never stopped loving you. You're his last and only hope to live, Janice. This is the time he needs you more than anything." Virginia began to plead on her knees, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"So do I need myself more at this time as well." Janice sneered.

"Nelson remained speechless, but his eyes couldn't hide his shock and remorse.

"Ja–nice." He struggled to talk.

"No need to stress yourself, Nelson." Janice cut in.

"You know, one can also die if he forces speech out of his mouth when he's strengthless. So, just save that strength and sign the papers before you die, in case you wish to." She added and tossed the papers into his hands.

Nelson looked up, the sight of the bold title almost choked him to death.

"If you find it difficult to read, you might as well give your mother to help you. After all, there's no need to panic because I'm not taking anything. I didn't come to the marriage with valuables, the same way  I'm going to leave. You know I've always been a considerate wife, right?" She scoffed.

Nelson was reluctant. "Janice please, you two can still talk about this once he recovers and the problem persists. I don't see why you should be rushing things this way."  Virginia pleaded.

"Do you need any help in holding a pen? My men can help you hold your hands." Janice scoffed, her eyes holding a trace of detachment.

Without further argument, Nelson took the pen from her hands to scribble his signature on the divorce papers.

Janice almost bursted out with laughter when she saw the look on his mother's sullen face, imagining what chaos the old woman would have caused if not for the presence of the two escorts.

"Can you still give me a little time to go through this again?" Nelson asked weakly.

"Sure. But just don't die before signing the papers." Janice scoffed and turned  to take her leave when a wave of nausea washed over her, making her retch.

Virginia's brows furrowed in a slight frown. She moved closer and held Janice's back. "Are you pregnant?" She asked.

Janice's heart sank. It's been over five months since she and Nelson had any serious intimate moments because of how he always complains of his fear to complicate his kidney failure if he strains himself with sex. 

The only moment she could remember was the one that took place three weeks ago, when he returned from the office frustrated. And to calm his temper, he took excess shots of whiskey, making him drunk before he went to bed. That night, all Janice's effort to stop him when he started moving his hands around her body proved abortive. But pregnancy can't happen that easily right?

Janice clenched her fist tightly. 

"No. I can't be." Janice replied without a blink.

Virginia wanted to talk when Janice's phone began to ring.

"My lawyer would contact you for the final processes." She said hesitantly and began to move. But somehow, Virginia managed to grab her wrist and held her back, whispering into her ears with an evil smirk. "You better don't be pregnant, Janice. Because my son can never have anything to do with a low profile gold digging bitch like you! And even if you are, I assure you that I'll do everything possible to make sure that child leaves the world before he even sees it.

Since you chose to show your ungrateful self at the hospital with a divorce, then I'll remind you that you were never welcomed to this family in the first place." She cursed.

Janice didn't say anything and left. She knows that Virginia has never loved to have a grandchild through her, that's why instead of weeping and sympathizing with her when her first baby with Nelson was pronounced dead on delivery, Virginia was happy.

And now, even Janice herself wouldn't like to be tested positive with Nelson's pregnancy. The era of trying hard to conceive a child for him is over.

***

"Hey, sorry for keeping you waiting for so long." Janice said, her voice calm and tired.

Dian furrowed her brows. " Janice, Is everything okay?" She asked.

Just when Janice was about to answer, another wave of nausea washed over her, causing her to retch.

"Janice, you're pregnant?" Dian widened her eyes.

"Not at all." Janice shook her head weakly. 

"My period was supposed to start yesterday, but a one day delay is normal though. So, I'm sure it's just some fever symptoms due to stress." She added casually.

Immediately, her phone began to ring again. The moment she checked the caller ID, her breath hitched.

"Janice. You've kept me waiting here for almost an hour, hope you know what that means?" A hoarse masculine voice roared over the phone.

Janice was silent. Even though she's completely weak, she dare not ditch a person like Lucas.

"Let's stop by the pharmacy and get a test trip before I proceed to meet Lucas." She suggested.

"So, what if you find out that you're actually pregnant? Are you nullifying the divorce?" Dian asked.