The Blood Debt, My Pain and His Promise

Chapter 2 Shattered Vows

"What on earth are you even suggesting, Ms. Sullivan? Your parents have been together for decades. Are you seriously hoping for Michael to break up their marriage and become the talk of the town?" Chloe's words sliced through the tension-filled air in the car, her voice laced with a soft, mocking laugh.

She eyed Ms. Sullivan, adding, "I've never seen anyone wishing for their parents' split before."

Michael attempted to calm Chloe, speaking softly. "She's not well. Just ignore her ramblings."

Riley felt a pang in her heart whenever she recalled those damning photos of her mother, yet she couldn't muster the courage to voice it.

As Michael prepared to enter the car, Riley desperately tugged at his sleeve, her voice filled with urgency. "Michael, you swore to me! You promised you would help get my mother away from the Sullivan family!"

Back when their marriage was arranged, Michael had confided in her that their union was merely to secure a blood donation for Chloe.

In return, Michael had vowed, in words she clung to, that if she donated blood to Chloe for three years, she could take her mother and leave.

Clinging to this promise, she buried her hidden feelings and dutifully played the role of an on-call blood donor, patiently waiting for those three long years to pass.

Their closeness had been unintentional, but afterward, Michael had taken the step of moving all her belongings into the master bedroom.

Every night he held her, and whenever he returned from a trip, his attentions left her so overwhelmed she struggled to stand the next day.

She convinced herself: surely Michael would honor his promise.

Facing him by the car, Michael suddenly chuckled. "Funny, I don't recall making any such promise."

Riley was stunned, hurriedly stammering, "T-Three years ago, on our wedding night, you assured me that if I donated my blood to Ms. Stone for three years, you would help save my mom from the Sullivans!"

As she finished speaking, hope was etched across her face. In Elmswich, everyone knew Michael Jackson of the Jackson family was a man whose promise was as good as gold. If he committed to something, he followed through.

The awaited three-year milestone had finally come, and with it, the long-hoped-for chance to save her mother. Yet Michael dismissed her attempt to speak as if swatting away a fly, slipping into his car with a smirk that cut like ice. "Just a casual remark," he shrugged indifferently. "I've not thought about it since."

Riley crumpled to the ground, powerless, as the Rolls-Royce faded from view.

Over the past three years, she had given her blood for Chloe 99 times, holding onto Michael's empty promise, never voicing a single word of dissent.

Three years of sharing Michael's bed left no room for her own thoughts or an escape plan. He incessantly reminded her that she was his alone, slipping those words into her mind as they lay entwined.

Never had she imagined it was all just idle chatter.

Shattered and numb, Riley dragged herself back to her room, heading for the shower. Chilled water washed over her but did nothing to quench the turmoil blazing inside.

In the mirror, she saw a striking woman but felt so lowly. It was painful to look at herself. Her eyes dropped quickly, unable to bear the sight, as they stung with unshed tears.

She felt like a complete fool.

Emerging from the bathroom, she reached for her phone and made a resolve-laden call.

"You were right. Michael won't come through. I'm in. Help me save my mom. I'll get you what you need on Jack's wrongdoings!"

A week later, she found herself accompanying Michael to an event. Draped in an elegant gown, she climbed into the car with him.

Only once they arrived did she grasp that it was Chloe's birthday celebration.

Beneath the grand chandelier, her snow-white dress stood out among Michael's affluent friends.

In the throng, her mother appeared, standing awkwardly among unfamiliar faces.

In just days, Mary had become a shadow of herself, her dress now sagging on her frame from rapid weight loss.

Her once-bright eyes were now darkened and evasive, avoiding all who looked her way.

Riley's vision blurred with emotion as she moved to approach, but Michael seized her wrist, steering her out, his grip leaving no room for resistance.

"Don't cause a scene. Chloe's uncle is watching," he warned her sharply.