Chapter 2 Two

CLARISSA's POV

"You can't do this, Mark" I snarled trying to keep the anger in check.

Mark smirked at me. "Oh, but I can. See Clare, you signed a contract so I have the power here."

I felt a rush of adrenaline as I realized how far Mark had manipulated me. He had been playing me all along, using my love and loyalty against me.

But I wouldn't back down. "I won't give her my blood, Mark," I said my voice firm. "I won't let you use me again."

Mark's eyes narrowed, his face twisting with anger. "We'll see about that," he snarled, before turning and storming out of the room.

I was alone my heart racing with fear and anger. I had to get out of there, and get as far away from Mark and Serena as possible.

Mark came back with a different nurse as I was trying to leave. His eyes glinted with a malevolent intensity as he grabbed my arm his grip like a vice. "You will donate the blood, Clare" he hissed his voice low and menacing. "You will do it or suffer the consequences."

I struggled against his grip but he was too strong. The nurse stood nearby her eyes downcast as if she was too afraid to intervene.

"No Mark please" I begged my voice shaking with fear. "I've just lost our child I can't...I won't do it!"

Mark looked at me seriously. "You have no choice, Clare."

He pulled my hands out and the nurse scurried to get the equipment ready. I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead as the needle pierced my skin, and my blood began to flow into the waiting bag.

I closed my eyes and tears streamed down my face. I had agreed to be a blood bank for Serena because we have the same rare blood group so I could marry Mark.

I felt a surge of protests rising but my body was too weak to resist. I looked at Mark confused.

"Was this the same man I married three years ago?" I internally asked myself.

No, he wasn't the same I married three years ago.

Three years ago, we were so much in love even before we got married, talking and telling everything about ourselves to each other as we were newly engaged. Suddenly his family including Serena, his childhood friend returned from overseas and within six months of Serena's arrival, she was diagnosed to be anemic and in need of a special rare type of blood which luckily for her I have. His family agreed we could get married under the condition I donate blood to Serena anytime and I agreed since we were in love.

He had told me how Serena saved him from dying. He still trusted me so much and still cared for me but now I can't even tell him I suspect Serena to be our child's killer because of his loyalty to her.

"You're making a big mistake Mark" I whispered my vision blurring.

Mark's smile grew wider. "No Clare I'm making a necessary choice. Serena needs your blood to live."

I shook my head feeling a sense of hopelessness wash over me. "She's using you Mark. Can't you see that?"

Mark's face turned cold. "I won't let you poison my mind against Serena. She saved my life, and I'll do whatever it takes to help her."

I lay in the hospital bed, my eyes closed, my body weak from the blood donation, my heart heavy with emotion. I couldn't believe Mark had forced me to donate my blood, couldn't believe I had let him.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Mark standing beside me, his eyes filled with concern. But I knew it was just an act. He didn't care about me, only about keeping me trapped in our loveless marriage for Serena.

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

Mark's eyes narrowed. "You're not going anywhere, Clare. You're still weak from the donation."

I sat up, my heart racing. "I don't care. I need to get away, away from you and Serena."

Mark's face turned cold. "You're not going anywhere. You're my wife, Clare. And you'll do as I say."

I laughed, a harsh sound. "No, I'm your prisoner not your wife, Mark. And this manipulation and control ends now."

Mark's eyes flashed with anger. "You're being unreasonable, Clare. I'm only trying to protect you. What are you trying to say?"

I shook my head, feeling a surge of determination. "No, Mark. You're trying to control me. And I am done with it."

"Mark, I want a divorce," I said, my voice firm and resolute.

"What? No, Clare, don't be ridiculous," Mark replied, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"I'm not being ridiculous, Mark. I'm done with this marriage, with you and your family. And you and Serena can live happily ever after with yourselves," I said, my eyes flashing with determination.

"Serena is just a friend, Clare. Like a sister. You're being paranoid," Mark said, his voice pleading.

With that, I threw off the covers and swung my legs over the side of the bed. Mark tried to stop me, but I pushed him away. I stood up, my legs shaking, but I didn't care. I had to get out of there.

"Clare, please," Mark said, his voice begging. "Don't do this."

The nurse burst into the room, her eyes scanning the space until they landed on Mark. "Mr. Blackwood, Serena is asking for you," she said, her voice urgent.

Mark's eyes flicked to Clare, his face twisted in a pleading expression. "I have to go," he said, his voice soft. "Please, Clare, don't do this."

My eyes filled with tears, but I shook her head. "Go to Serena, Mark," I said, my voice firm.

Mark's face fell, and he turned to follow the nurse out of the room. "I'll be back," he called over his shoulder, but Clare just shook her head.

Immediately he left, Clare felt a wave of sadness wash over her. She realized that she had been holding onto the hope that Mark would change, that he would finally prioritize her needs over Serena's.

But now she saw that was never going to happen.

She was going to end this now. She picked up her phone and dialed a number. "Hey Rachel"

"Hey, girl," my friend answered, her voice cheerful. "Hey," I said, her voice flat. "I need divorce papers. I can't take it anymore Rach."

Rachel was one of my good friends and lawyer I met in school. I helped her with some bills and she promised to help me back any way she could even when I disagreed. She knew of my predicament with the Blackwoods but not entirely everything because I had kept it a secret from her.

"Oh, Clare" she said, her voice turning somber. "I am so sorry. But I'll get them ready for you. You deserve so much better." She said in a serious tone turned serious.

Clare nodded, even though her friend couldn't see her. "Thanks," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll come by your office in an hour to get them."

"Okay," Rachel said. "I'll see you then."

Clare hung up the phone and lay back in bed, feeling a sense of determination wash over her. She was going to take control of her life, and she was going to start by getting a divorce.

She pressed a button on her bed, and a nurse came in immediately. "Yes, Mrs. Blackwood?"

Clare smiled, her eyes flashing with determination. "I need a taxi to take me to Sky Firm and then the Blackwood Residence."

The nurse nodded, her eyes wide with surprise. "Should I inform your husband of your departure right away, Mrs. Blackwood."

"No, you don't need to bother him," I replied.

The nurse hurried to leave to do what I asked of her.

As I waited for the taxi, I felt a sense of freedom wash over me. I was finally standing up for herself.

"Where to, miss?" the taxi driver asked, his eyes glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

"First, Sky Firm then The Blackwood Residence," Clare replied, her voice firm.

Clare leaned back in her seat, her mind racing with thoughts of what was to come. She knew Mark would resist, that he would try to keep her trapped in their loveless marriage. For Serena, not for love or children but for his precious childhood friend who he owes his life and can see no wrong in her.

I walked into my best friend's office, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I was finally taking control of my life, and I was grateful to have her support.

"Hey, girl," she said, as she stood up to greet me. "I'm so proud of you for taking this step."

I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. "Thanks, I couldn't have done it without you."

We sat down, and she handed me a folder filled with papers. "Here are the divorce papers," she said. "I've gone over them with you before, but I want to make sure you're comfortable with everything."

I nodded, as I began to flip through the papers. "Yeah, I remember. You've been a great help through this whole process."

My friend smiled, her eyes filled with compassion. "That's what friends are for. Now, let's go over a few things. First, we need to discuss the grounds for divorce."

I nodded, my mind racing with thoughts of Mark and his loyalty to Serena. "I remember. We're going with irreconcilable differences."

My friend nodded her pen scribbling notes on a legal pad. "Okay, and what about the division of assets?"

I took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination. "I want a clean break. I don't want anything from him, and I don't want to give him anything either. I just want to be free of him, and move on with my life Rach."

My friend nodded, a small smile on her face. "Okay, I understand. And what about custody of the...ah...blood?"

I laughed, a harsh sound. "There is no blood, remember? Serena's been using me for years, draining my veins dry. And Mark's been enabling her. When I lost my baby, Rach, that was the last straw"

Rachel's face turned red with anger. "I'm so sorry, Clare. You deserve so much better than that."

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. "Thanks, I know I do."

And with that I asked myself internally, I still love Mark, can I carry out this divorce?