The Secret Heiress

CLARISSA's POV

I lay on the clinic bed, my arm extended for the nurse to insert the needle. This was a familiar routine, one I had endured for years. My husband, Mark Blackwood, stood beside me, his eyes filled with concern.

"Clare, are you sure you're okay?" Mark asked, his voice low and calm.

"Yes, Mark. I'm fine," I said, trying to conceal my annoyance.

"Are you sure? You look pale," Mark said, his brow furrowed.

"I'm fine, just a little tired, that's all," I said, forcing a smile.

The nurse smiled kindly. "Do not worry, Mrs. Blackwood. This will be over soon."

As the donation process finished, Mark helped me off the bed. "Thanks, Clare. You're a lifesaver."

"I guess I am," I said, with mixed emotions.

Mark, can we talk?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course, Clare. What's on your mind?" Mark replied, his eyes worried.

"Do you love me?" I said, my voice shaking.

Mark's eyes narrowed. "Yes, Clare. Dont worry yourself with all these thoughts. The doctor said your hormones will heightened due to the pregnancy. We'll get through this together."

As we arrived home, I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen. I tried to remember if I took anything then I remembered Serena giving me a juice. But that was harmless, right?

I doubled over, gasping for breath. "Mark, I don't feel too good"

Mark's eyes widened in alarm. "Clare, what's wrong?"

"I don't know," I replied, my voice barely audible. "I feel like... my stomach, Mark, the baby." I looked at my gown and saw blood. "My baby, I'm loosing my baby"

Mark's face turned white. "No, Clare. You're not losing our baby. I'm here for you."

"Clare, Clare, keep your eyes open. We are almost at the hospital." I heard Mark say loudly. But it was too late. I felt myself falling, and everything went black.

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. I was in a hospital bed, surrounded by machines beeping near me and white walls. My head was foggy but as I tried to sit up memories came flooding back. "What happened?" I asked, my voice shaking. Mark was beside me, his eyes worried.

"Is my baby okay?" I asked, my heart racing. The doctor's face was serious, his eyes full of compassion. "I'm so sorry, Mrs Blackwood. You've lost the baby Mrs Blackwood."

My world came crashing down around me. I felt like I'd lost everything that really mattered. "No, not my baby!" I screamed, my voice ringing through the hospital room.

Something inside me shifted. Serena poisoned me and caused me to lose my baby. I knew I had to take back control of my life, no matter what. But would Mark believe me?

"Mark, I need some space," I said, my voice steady.

Mark's eyes almost filled with tears. "Clare, please. Don't push me away. What if Serena needs your blood?"

I sat there, stunned and confused, my eyes fixed on Mark's face. I loved this man and I had come too far and given up too much. Our child had just died and he's worried about Serena who I suspect killed my baby.

"Mark, I get that you're trying to protect Serena, but I can't do this anymore," I said my voice firm. "I need space, I just lost our child, for crying out loud.

Mark's face went cold. "You're not thinking about the consequences, Clare. Serena needs your blood to survive."

I laughed, a harsh sound. "Survive? You mean control, don't you? She loves you and she's been using me for years, draining my veins dry. And you've been enabling her."

Mark's eyes narrowed. "That's not true. Serena is ill, Clare. She needs your help."

I shook my head, feeling my anger rise. "No, Mark. I don't believe there's anything wrong with her health."

Mark's face turned red with anger. "How dare you! Serena is my childhood best friend, she sacrificed herself to save me and I will protect her at all costs. Have some rest, the doctor said we would be able to leave in two hours"

I was still trying to wrap my head around my grief and anger when a nurse suddenly entered the room. "Mr. Blackwood, Mrs. Blackwood, I need to inform you that Serena has just fainted and is in urgent need of blood," she said frantically

Mark's eyes locked onto mine, his face begging. "Clare, we have to help her."

I stared at him in disbelief, my anger and hurt boiling over. "Are you kidding me? I just lost our child and you want me to give blood to Serena? Now?"

Mark's face went cold. "Clare, this is no time for selfishness. Serena needs us. We can always make another child."

I laughed, a harsh sound. "Selfishness? You're the one who's being selfish, Mark."

Mark's face turned red with anger. "That's not true! You heard the nurse. She is ill, Clare. She needs your blood."

I shook my head, feeling my anger and disappointment rise. "No, Mark. I won't do it. I won't give blood to Serena. Not again."

Mark looked at me stunned. "Fine. Is it money? Do you need more money? How much?"

I looked at him shocked by his words. "I don't want your money," I said with tears rolling down my eyes.

Mark's eyes narrowed. "If you won't do it willingly, then I'll make sure you're forced to. I am not going to let Serena die, Clare. Not when you have the power to save her."

I looked at him, horrified. "You wouldn't dare."

Mark's smile was cold. "Watch me."

Mark's words sent a chill down my spine. I shivered. Would he do whatever it took to save Serena, even if it meant making me give blood against my will?