Chapter 1
Chapter 1 I stood silently outside the hospital room, watching until the heart monitor flatlined. The room fell still. Only Priscilla Jensen was inside, sitting at Albert Carroll’s side. She held his hand as she finished writing out his will, then removed his oxygen mask. Everything had been taken care of before he took his final breath. A flash of excitement crossed Priscilla’s face as she placed the document neatly on the bed. But the very next second, she broke into tears and called out for help. “Something’s wrong! Somebody get in here!” she yelled. In a flash, doctors and bodyguards rushed in from just a few feet away. “Quick! Start CPR! Harder!” a doctor barked. The machines roared to life, pounding at Albert’s chest. Soon, the room erupted into chaos. Right then, Priscilla stepped forward. “There’s still a chance. Take my blood!” she cried out as a syringe was already being pushed into her arm. She had been donating blood for days. Her face had gone ghostly pale, and her body was too weak to keep up. Thus, the needle drew barely anything. The doctors told her they couldn’t take any more, yet there was no alternative. Albert’s blood type was rare, and Priscilla was the only match. Just two days ago, it seemed like he was out of danger. But now, he had slipped back into a coma. In desperation, Priscilla grabbed five more syringes and plunged them into her own arm. “Take more. Get more syringes!” she instructed. “His life comes first. I’m a nurse. I’ll be fine.” Urgency tightened her features, and she showed no concern for her well-being. Everyone around her watched in alarm. Then, someone whispered, “Hang in there, Priscilla.” Sweat beaded across her forehead. She managed to give nearly a pint of blood before her body gave out. In the next moment, she collapsed. Outside the room, a crowd gathered—reporters, doctors, and specialists whom Samson Carroll had flown in overnight from abroad. Meanwhile, cameras flashed without pause as Priscilla lay unconscious in the room. “Mr. Carroll, it was her. She gave everything to save your father. She hasn’t woken up,” someone reported to Samson. “Was she the one with him at the end?” asked Samson. The person replied, “Yes. Mr. Carroll Senior was especially fond of Ms. Jensen.” Something unreadable flickered in Samson’s eyes at those words. Unfortunately, not even the best specialists could bring a man back from the dead. Albert was pronounced dead not long after. The room filled with cries of grief, and news of his passing shook all of Jansbury. At that moment, Priscilla’s body trembled as she slowly came to. She tried to slip out quietly, pushing through the crowd. She couldn’t draw attention to herself. Only in silence would the Carrolls remember what she had done. Still, she feigned weakness. Her steps were slow and unsteady, dragging one foot behind the other. Then, Samson’s voice came from behind her. “Wait.” Priscilla waved him off, saying, “It’s fine. Even if it took every drop of blood in me, I still would’ve done it.” Suddenly, an assistant took the will from the bed and handed it to Samson. However, he merely glanced at it once before tucking it away. “Get someone to take Ms. Jensen back. Make sure nothing happens to her,” he ordered. Chapter 2 None of Samson’s assistants dared slack off once he gave the order. And just like that, a dozen people escorted Priscilla out of the hospital. I was about to slip away when Samson’s voice rang out, sharp with fury. “Didn’t they say my father was out of danger? Find out what’s going on! I want every detail. And since Priscilla Jensen was the last one with him, dig up everything on her!” Just like they said, Samson was impossible to cross. Priscilla had no idea what she was in for. There was no way she’d get what she wanted. I had just unlocked my phone when a message from her came through. She wrote, “If you say a word about this, you’re dead. Once I marry into the Carroll family, you’ll get your cut. Did you see how Samson looked at me? He’s already starting to care.” Another text followed. “His parents are gone. From now on, I’ll be the only family he has. And if his father wanted us to get married, he wouldn’t dare refuse.” After hearing what Samson had said, all I wanted was to distance myself from her. However, I couldn’t let her catch on. So, I thought carefully before replying, “I didn’t see a thing. But once you marry into that family, don’t forget about me. Just get me a job that pays a few grand more.” Priscilla replied almost instantly with a condescending emoji. Then, she added, “That’s all you want, huh? At least all my hard work over the past few days is finally paying off. I’m this close to living the good life as a rich man’s wife.” I quickly shot back, “You really are the smart one.” I couldn’t help but think about everything she had pulled off lately. She had quit a decent job just to return to nursing. In the past, she’d complain nonstop about hospital work. She hated the sight of patients and couldn’t stand anything even remotely dirty. But recently, it was like she had transformed overnight. Suddenly, she was the perfect nurse, bringing bedpans and fetching water with a smile. Priscilla was gentle and attentive. She practically lived at the hospital, constantly darting in and out of rooms. Before long, Albert had become completely dependent on her. “Where’s Pris?” he’d ask every few minutes. He even kicked out the bodyguards and caregivers, insisting that only Priscilla take care of him. During that period, Samson came by a few times, and on each visit, he treated her with respect. Eventually, the way he looked at her softened, too. By then, the entire Carroll family was utterly grateful to Priscilla, seeing her as a hero. … When I got home, my parents, Thomas Jensen and Fiona Lambert, had stayed at home. The moment they saw me walk in alone, they stopped me at the door. As soon as I mentioned the Carrolls had taken Priscilla with them, they clapped their hands with glee. “Oh, Tom. I can finally buy that jewelry set I’ve had my eye on—the one that costs over 100 thousand dollars!” my mom exclaimed. “I’d like to see if the neighbors will try and look down on us again now.” My dad beamed. “Ah, Fiona! I already put a deposit down on that Rolls-Royce. Once we’re in-laws with that kind of money, no one’s going to treat us like nobodies anymore!” When I didn’t react, my dad slapped me without hesitation. “You’re good for nothing,” he spat. “At the end of the day, your sister’s the one taking this family somewhere.” My mom couldn’t stand the sight of me either and wasted no time adding fuel to the fire. “I always knew Priscilla would make something of herself, unlike this ungrateful brat.” Then, she ordered me, “Now get in the kitchen and cook something! You’ve been home long enough, and you haven’t lifted a finger.” Resentment churned inside me as I headed to the kitchen. Behind me, my mom let out a satisfied sigh and remarked, “It’s happening. Once he sees the will, he’ll marry Priscilla.” Samson was the most devoted son of Jansbury’s wealthiest man. Back when his father was alive, he wouldn’t dare disobey a single word. But now, Albert had passed away. Judging from Samson’s reaction today, there was no way he’d blindly follow a will that came out of nowhere. As I scrubbed a pan, I overheard my mom again. “You’re a genius,” she told my dad. “Thank goodness you thought of putting that clause in the will. He can only inherit everything if he marries Priscilla. I’m sure that sealed the deal.” “Well, of course. I never make a move unless I’m sure it’ll work. There’s no way Samson would walk away from that inheritance. He’ll marry Priscilla, even if it’s just for the money.” A beat later, my mom squealed. “Look! A message from Priscilla!” Then, she read it out loud. “Don’t worry, Mom and Dad. Samson’s treating me like a princess.” “Oh my goodness! We must be the luckiest family in town! We’d better say another prayer for her, just to be safe.” But all I could think was they’d better start praying Priscilla could make it out of this mess. Chapter 3 The moment Priscilla got home the next day, my mom rushed over and asked, “Well? Did he confess his feelings?” “Calm down. Samson’s a steady man. He’ll take care of his father’s funeral first, that’s for sure,” my dad said from the side, trying to sound wise. But almost immediately, he rubbed his hands together and blurted, “Did you spend the night together?” Priscilla set her bag down before answering, “I didn’t see him at all yesterday, but his assistants were really nice. They asked me a bunch of questions. And after that, I don’t remember much.” She paused, trying hard to recall. “Well, I wandered through a cold garden at the Carroll residence and ended up falling asleep on the patio. By the time I woke up, I was already in the car.” Then, something unreadable gleamed in her eyes. She continued, “Samson probably didn’t want me getting too tired, so he had them send me home to rest. Don’t worry. He’ll definitely call.” My mom, however, grew anxious and started pacing. “You need to think harder. What exactly happened? Come on. Let’s do a test.” The two of them chattered away in the bedroom for a while. When they finally came out, my mom nodded at my dad and smiled. In an instant, his eyes lit up. “So it did happen? If she ends up pregnant, that would be perfect! Fiona, take her to the hospital for a test now!” My mom grinned from ear to ear as she said, “Don’t be silly! Even if she’s pregnant, it’s way too early to tell. We’ve got to wait a few more days.” “Oh, right! I’m so excited to the point I’m not thinking straight. Please, let her be pregnant.” With that, my dad rushed out to the yard and got down on his knees to pray. Meanwhile, Priscilla looked a little shy as she remarked, “Once I have his baby, I’ll be Mrs. Carroll for real.” “Now that’s what I call good news!” my mom declared. Then, she turned to me with a glare. “What are you standing around for? Go make some eggs for your sister. She needs double the nutrients now!” I didn’t move an inch. Instead, I stared at this absurd family in disbelief. Upon seeing that, my dad stormed over and slapped me twice. “Are you deaf? Go on!” he snapped. Right then, Pricilla’s phone chimed. She practically jumped to her feet and shot me a smug look. “It’s a text from Samson.” My parents rushed over to look. His message read, “You’re not getting away. I’ll come find you once my father’s funeral is over.” Priscilla immediately switched to a syrupy voice and recorded a reply. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ll wait for you.” A glow spread across her face after sending it. “See? He’s worried I’ll disappear. I told you! He’s more eager than I am!” My mom clapped her hands hard. “It’s a done deal! If you’re carrying his child, it’s locked in. Now, we just wait for him to come and ask for your hand.” “I knew it,” she added. “With your looks and figure, how could he not fall for you? Look how fast it happened. He couldn’t wait to sleep with you!” My dad chimed in, “Exactly. He’s in a rush to marry her. He’s probably terrified she’ll bolt.” While the two of them kept whispering gleefully, Priscilla stripped off her clothes, threw them at me, and ordered, “Wash these. Delilah Jensen, treat me well, and maybe you won’t have to keep being the family maid.” Out of nowhere, my dad grabbed the ashtray and slammed it onto my head, sending ashes down my face. “From now on, when Priscilla tells you to do something, you do it. Understood?” I quietly picked up Priscilla’s clothes, planning to take them for testing. Finally, I spoke. “Mom, Dad, I’m out of money. Can you lend me a little—” Before I could finish, my dad barked, “You piss me off just by standing there. Get lost! I don’t have a daughter like you. Don’t come back here just to embarrass us.” “But when you bought this house, I lent you 200 thousand dollars. Can you pay me back?” I asked again. My words hit a nerve. Without a second thought, my dad raised a hand and struck me hard across the back. “You ungrateful brat! I’ve spent so much raising you all these years, and now you want to nickel-and-dime me? Don’t expect a cent when your sister marries into money!” Still, I didn’t get angry. I simply rubbed my arm and said, “Then, let’s settle it right now. Either give me back my money or cut me off from this family. Pick one.” I had barely finished speaking when a folder came flying at my face. Inside was a letter stating they were officially disowning me. I was overjoyed. That same night, I cut ties with them for good and walked away, ignoring every insult they screamed behind me. Chapter 4 Before long, I had found a new place. That day, as I was getting ready to move, I suddenly saw that Albert’s will had been leaked online. The post went viral, and Priscilla’s photos were everywhere. The will made one thing clear—Samson had to marry Priscilla to inherit everything. With that, speculation exploded. Everyone assumed Priscilla had cared for Albert in his final days and won his favor. To them, it only made sense that he’d want her as his daughter-in-law. Soon after, a video of her donating blood at the hospital went viral. Netizens praised her beauty, kindness, looks, and figure. They even said it was no surprise that Samson had fallen for her. Despite all the fuss, Samson never denied a word. As the post gained traction, his silence was taken as confirmation. Before long, rumors ran wild. Everyone was saying he was getting ready to marry Priscilla. When reporters caught wind of that, they swarmed her for interviews. “It’s nothing, really. I was just doing my job,” said Priscilla. “I’m heartbroken over Mr. Carroll Senior’s passing and hope the family finds peace in this difficult time.” On camera, she cried so hard she nearly collapsed, and the public quickly praised her kindness. … A few days later, the doctor handed me the test results from Priscilla’s lingerie. It turned out she hadn’t just slept with one man. Poor thing. When I went back to the Jensen residence to grab my clothes, the house was already packed with neighbors. Even some of Jansbury’s social elite had arrived, eager to cozy up to the future Mrs. Carroll. By then, gifts were stacked high against the walls. Everyone smiled and chatted when someone suddenly spotted a pregnancy test in the trash. Their eyes lit up as they exclaimed, “Wow! Things are moving fast, huh, Priscilla? I can’t believe you’re pregnant already!” Almost immediately, the atmosphere buzzed with energy. Everyone praised her for sealing the deal so fast, and neighbors practically stumbled over themselves trying to flatter her. The crowd was divided into two groups. One group was consisting of people from my family and the other group was consisting of our neighbors and the elites related to the Carrolls. People shook hands as if it were a massive networking event. At that moment, someone yelled, “Look! Samson just released a statement!” Suddenly, every post about Albert’s will vanished, and Priscilla’s photos disappeared entirely. Samson claimed it was a hoax. He even said there was no will and that his father wasn’t dead. Everyone froze. If Albert were alive, the will would be worthless. All at once, everyone turned to look at Priscilla. Without missing a beat, she announced, “He’s just trying to protect me. After all, the lady of the Carroll family doesn’t need to be paraded around. “Samson will definitely give me a grand wedding. When the time comes, everyone will be invited. I won’t forget any of you when I’m living the good life.” Priscilla spoke with her chin raised, looking every bit the victor. Just like that, her assurance lifted everyone’s spirits again. Someone quickly pulled cash from their bag, saying, “Here’s a little something to celebrate. Please accept it.” “Mine, too,” another chimed in. “And mine.” Within minutes, Priscilla’s arms were stuffed with money. That was when a group of bodyguards strode in. Outside, luxury cars lined the street. It was evident that the Carrolls had arrived. The bodyguards didn’t waste any time and raised their voices. “Who’s Priscilla Jensen? You’re coming with us.” Already riled up, Priscilla shot back angrily, “Is that how you ask someone to come? Don’t you know I’m the future Mrs. Carroll? I might even be carrying his baby!” Yet, the bodyguards grew impatient. One shoved her and snapped, “Enough. Let’s go.” Priscilla stumbled, nearly falling. “What the hell are you doing? I’m the Carrolls’ benefactor! I just had a date with Samson a few days ago!” “Easy. Treat Ms. Jensen with respect,” someone said. Right then, Samson’s personal assistant stepped forward. I had seen him online many times before. Priscilla straightened up as he approached and adopted an air of authority, saying, “If we’re discussing marriage, my parents need to be involved.” “Of course. No problem,” the assistant replied, a polite smile tugging at his lips. As they left, my mom turned to the neighbors and promised to introduce their kids to the Carroll family’s relatives. The crowd then watched as the three of them got into the car. I had just grabbed my clothes and was about to head back to my rented apartment when the assistant called out, “Ms. Delilah Jensen? Please come with us as well.”