Broken To Finding Love

"It's either you sign these papers or you see the other side of me!" Teddy shouted at Jane who was standing in front of him trembling.

"I won't sign them, you can do anything you want!" Jane also fired back at him, still trembling.

Angrily, Teddy took hold of Jane's slender neck and strangled her. He was so angry that the veins on his neck kept rising as he pressed her against the wall. He felt choking her to death will appease the rage fuming inside him.

Jane coughed out eagerly to appease her difficult breathing as she slid down the wall, after Teddy took away his hand from her slender neck that had turned blue due to the choking.

Teddy didn't feel sorry for his actions. Tossing the papers at her face, he walked out of the room angrily. It has been three days since he had been forcing her to sign those papers which she doesn't seem to agree to.

Looking at his back view as he left the room angrily, she couldn't help but laughed mockingly at herself as she touched the side of her cheek that had been cut by those papers he slammed at her face.

She knew their relationship would reach this phase sooner or later. She knew he had never loved her since he married her a year ago. If not because she had what he needed at that moment, he wouldn't have married her out of desperation. He has always treated her badly since they got married, due to her devious way of getting married to him.

She thought she would be able to melt his cold heart, but seeing how he didn't feel any remorse as he choked her just now, she realised that nothing can melt this heartless man cold heart. He doesn't even care whether she lives or dies.

Looking at the divorce papers littered on the floor, she picked them up as she scanned through them.

Since he brought up the idea of wanting to divorce her after what happened at the hospital three days ago, she had been thinking about everything that had happened since the day they got married.

It has been a year now, but he had never looked at her the way he looked at that woman, which was a pain in her heart. He had never treated her gently as he treated his childhood sweetheart.

Remembering what happened at the hospital two day ago, she couldn't help but smile painfully at her pathetic self.

********

Three days ago,

Jane could be seen sitting on the couch in the living room, playing with her cell phone as she smiled foolishly at herself.

"I think this would be better." She said to herself as she looked at the plan she made. Tomorrow would make it a year she and Teddy got married.

She had been making plans on how to make their anniversary special for two months now. No matter what, she wouldn't stop until Teddy was able to fall in love with her. She loved him so much that his indifference towards her always hurts her.

Looking at her plans that was titled "winning his heart", her smile grew wider.

She had been learning how to play his favorite song on the piano for a while now. She had already booked a villa with a breathtaking view for their anniversary. The problem is how to convince Teddy to be there due to his indifference to their relationship.

Dialing his number on her phone, she had already rehearsed how she would convince him to be there in her mind. On the last ring, he picked up the call.

"Hello!" His voice sounded cold and distant.

"Teddy, our anniversary is coming up." She said, trying to sound casual. "I've booked a beautiful villa in Bora Bora. Can you please join me to make this day special." Jane's words were chosen carefully, trying not to make any mistakes.

The silence from the other end was deafening to the point that alarm signals were immediately transmitted to Jane, making her heart almost explode in her chest, as she patiently waited for his reply.

"You want me to leave my busy schedule and leave with you to Bora Bora?" Teddy's voice was laced with incredulity. "What's the point, Jane? We are just going through the motions."

Jane's grip on her phone tightened. That's not true Teddy, I love you and you know that. Our anniversary is very important." She protested trying to keep her voice steady.

Teddy snorted. "Important to you maybe. Jane, I appreciate the gesture, but I don't have time for your romantic getaways."

Jane felt a sting from his words, but that didn't stop her from convincing him. "It's not just about romance, Ted" she said, desperation creeping into her voice. It's about us, our relationship."

Teddy was already feeling annoyed as he shouted at her through the phone. "Have you forgotten that our marriage is a contract which will end anytime soon." Teddy's voice was laced with irritation. "We are just fulfilling our obligations, Jane, don't make this more than it is."

Still stubborn and pretending that his words are not hurting her, she said through the phone. "Teddy. Please, just for a few days, for me." Her voice barely above a whisper.

Teddy, not wanting to be disturbed by her anymore, accepted reluctantly. Fine, I will be there, but don't expect too much." He then hung up.

Jane's heart was filled with joy, after Teddy accepted her offer. She was over the moon that he didn't reject her like he always does this time around.

She rushed into her room to check her luggage one more time, just to make sure she wasn't forgetting anything.

Her flight is by seven o'clock tomorrow morning. From Los Angeles to French Polynesia is an eight hour journey. Everything has already been prepared. All she needs to do is to get there and check out maybe things are placed in order.

With this joy, she left for bed that night.

The next day, she woke up early preparing for her trip. She was putting on her makeup when she was interrupted with a phone call.

Seeing the familiar name flashing on her screen, she immediately picked up the call, her lips spreading in a wide grin.

"Hello!" Her voice was as soft as possible, as she tried to please the person from the other end, but the person at the other end of the phone wasn't interested in that.

"Meet me at the hospital right now! Ava needs you urgently." Teddy sounded impatient. After saying that, he hung up.

Jane shivered unknowingly hearing that name. She knew what Teddy's statement signifies.

Ava was Teddy's childhood sweetheart. They were friends since they were neighbors during their childhood. They went to the same school since childhood. Even though he always tells her he took her as his younger sister, and nothing else, she didn't believe him.

Last year, Ava was diagnosed with anaemia. She needed blood urgently, but the hospital she was admitted in doesn't have her blood type, which was a rare one at that particular time. Teddy did all that is in his power to save her.

She could remember vividly, how she met Teddy for the first at the hospital that fateful day.

*****

A year ago,

"Are you telling me that there isn't a Rh negative blood type in this whole hospital? Does that mean Ava won't be able to get a blood transfusion immediately. Did you know the pain she is going through? She had been groaning on that hospital bed since last night and you are telling me that her blood type is not available in this hospital".

"How dare you guys call yourself Los Angeles First hospital without even having all the necessary things in here, you guys are so useless".

The hospital director that was in front of him was shaking with fear. Since yesterday he had received the news that the richest business man in Los Angeles relative was admitted to the hospital, he had been restless after knowing her condition."

Taking out his cell phone from his suit's inner pocket, Teddy made a call to his assistant.

"I don't care how you do it, I want someone with Rh negative blood type in the next twenty four hours." Not waiting for a response, he cut the call and left the office in anger.

An hour later, every news platform in Los Angeles had broadcasted the news about the need of the rare Rh negative blood in First hospital, and the reward of the donor was anything they wanted no matter what, it will be fulfilled.

Jane, who just arrived in Los Angeles then, also got the news while resting at a park. She heard some people discussing it. She didn't care about the news as she was still sad about the fact that she ran away from home.

Suddenly, she thought about how beneficial it will be to build good connections with influential people in LA. Knowing that the person that was going to fulfil the donor's wish, is the richest man in Los Angeles, she made up her mind to donate her blood with the intention of building connections in mind.

The next day, Jane could be seen standing among the three people who claim to have the blood type LA first hospital was looking for.

Teddy got the news immediately. He rushed to the scene. As Jane saw Teddy's handsome face, her heart couldn't help skipping a beat. As Teddy's gaze landed on her, she felt an undeniable spark instantly. It was like she fell in love with him at first sight.

Instead of building connections, why can't I just have this man to myself. She thought. Instantly, she made up her mind to marry him.

Luckily for her, after several tests were done, she was the only one whose blood matches the patient whom they were trying to save.

"I will save the patient, but my wish has to be accepted before we proceed." Jane said impatiently with a smug look on her face.

"What did you want?" Teddy asked with his eyes narrowed.

Jane's smile grew wider hearing that. "I want you to marry me!"

Gasp was heard from the hospital staff that was still around.

"You want me to marry you for the exchange of your blood?" Teddy's expression turned incredulous. He hadn't expected this situation. He thought all he had to give the donor was just money. Who would have thought this woman in front of him would be so shameless to ask for marriage of all things.

Jane nodded. "Yes, I will save the person's life, but I also want a life with you."

"It's like you don't know what's good for you." Teddy retorted angrily. "I can fulfill anything you want except for this."

"Fine. Since my wish can't be fulfilled, that means you don't need me here. I can wait for you to change your mind, but I don't know if the one lying on that bed can wait?"

After saying that, Jane turned around and left. Just as she reached the entrance of the hospital, she was stopped by several bodyguards dressed in black. Seeing the urgency in their faces as sweat dripped from their forehead, due to their rapid running, she knew her wish was going to come true. She couldn't help hooking her lips and smiled.

After two hours, everything was settled, Jane has donated her blood, and the patient's condition has also become stable after the blood transfusion.

Jane could be seen lying weakly on one of the hospital beds. Her face was so pale that she looked like she just underwent a surgery. She had donated so much more blood than usual just now. This is the first time she has donated blood since her birth. With all the pain she went through during this process, she didn't mind as far as she could achieve her goal.

The door of the ward she was occupying was opened abruptly as a man strode in with his hands in his pants pocket. He came in with someone strolling after him.

"Now that you have donated your blood, I would fulfil your wish, but don't expect any love from me. We would get Married and divorce after two years. That's what I can do, and if you can't accept that, we can proceed with the cash arrangement". Teddy told her as he looked at her pale face as she lay down on the sickbed.

As he finished saying that, the men in black that had been standing outside brought five briefcases full of dollars. They opened it in front of her as they lined up in a straight line facing her.

Jane's expression didn't change as she looked at the money. She had seen much more domineering men who threw money at people than this, so she wasn't fazed by this drama. All her moves were being watched by Teddy. He was surprised that this much money didn't faze the woman at all.

He had thought that it was because of his wealth she wanted to get married to him. Who would have thought she wouldn't be fazed by those cash in her front. If he said he wasn't surprised by her actions, he would be lying. She is a good actress if she is just acting unfazed.

"I accept the latter". She said weakly as she sat up with difficulty. Seeing that she wouldn't back down until she married him, Teddy eyebrows furrowed in annoyance. "I hope you don't regret this?"

"Nothing to regret." She mumbled.

In these two hours, he had asked one of his subordinates to investigate this woman, but her background was so clean that it made him feel suspicious.

"Then we will go with that". He said angrily as someone passed him some documents which looked like a contract.

He tossed it at her. After she read through the contract and seeing that the conditions are favorable to her, she didn't hesitate to sign the contract.

"Ma'am, we are here." The driver informed Jane, who was lost in thought on their way to the hospital.

Jane stepped out of the car, her mind still reeling with Teddy's phone call. She already knew that her flight would be canceled, and all the plans she had prepared for their anniversary for more than a month are now in ruins, because Teddy would be with Ava throughout today.

Anytime Ava's sickness flared up, Teddy was always with her throughout that day. He won't even think about his so called busy schedule he always comes up with anytime Jane demands for his attention.

On reaching Ava's ward, she saw she was lying down on the sickbed, and had an oxygen hood over her head as usual. Teddy was sitting in front of her, holding one of her hands in his.

Seeing this scene, Jane felt a pang of pain in her heart. Seeing Jane coming into the ward, Teddy stood up as he questioned her.

"What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be donating your blood right now?"

Since she had signed that contract that bound her and Teddy, this place had become a regular place of visit for her. She is always here to donate her blood to Ava, who had been sick since a year ago.

"I just wanted to check up on Ava before going to donate my blood, that's why I'm here." She said gently.

"You are of no use here, just go and donate your blood already." Teddy said angrily.

"What about our anniversary plan, Teddy?" Jane blurted out unknowingly."

Teddy's expression darkened. "What's there to discuss about our anniversary? You know Ava's condition is unpredictable."

Jane's eyes dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "I had planned something special."

Teddy's tone softened slightly, but his words remained firm. "I'm sorry, Jane. Ava needs you now."

Jane nodded, pain flashing across her face. "I'll go donate."

As she turned to leave, Teddy's voice stopped her.

"Jane?"

"Yes?"

"Forget the anniversary. It's just another day."

Jane's heart sank, but she didn't look back.

An hour later, Jane was exhausted after giving out blood. This is her second time donating her blood this month. She looked so pale that a small push could get her on her knees. She used the railing to stabilize herself.

"Look who we have here". Jane heard a familiar voice speaking to her. Raising her head, she was shocked by the person she saw.

"Ava, aren't you supposed to be in the ward receiving treatment? What are you doing here?" Even though she knew this woman is the reason her husband has been cold to her since their marriage, that doesn't mean she would be so heartless to wish for her death.

But seeing the person she saw just now who was hooked up to all types of hospital equipment, sashaying her body towards her, looking healthy, some possibilities came into her mind, but she denied it as she shook her head.

"As you can see, I've already recovered from my illness a month ago. I'm just making you pay for taking Teddy away from me. If not because of you, Teddy would have gotten married to me. My advice for you now is to divorce Teddy immediately. He doesn't even like you anyway, so why stay in this loveless marriage for nothing?"

"And who do you think you are to tell me to divorce him?" Jane also fired back.

"Even if you can't tell, you should know I'm the one Teddy loves, did you think he will be with a lowlife woman with no family background like you if not because he was trying to save me?

If not for that stinky blood of yours, you are not useful for anything my dear". She said to Jane as she patted her cheeks with a smirk on her face.

"Well, you are right, Teddy doesn't love me for now, sooner or later I will make him fall for me. And how did you know he loves you?"

"Ahh!" Ava laughed at her words. It's like she just heard a big joke.

If he doesn't love me, do you think he will go to the length of getting married to you, in order to save me at all cost.

All those nights you sleep alone in your cold bed, did you know who he was with?" Jane knew the answer but she didn't want to accept that fact.

"Just shut up already" Jealousy consumed her as she rushed towards Ava who was not far from her. Since she was a little weak, she pushed Ava with little strength. Ava took some steps back as she held the railing on the hospital walkway to maintain her balance.

Something struck into her mind as she saw a familiar figure from the corner of her eye. The railing she held earlier was like a hot potato as she removed her hand which made her fall down the stairs with a scream.

"Ava!!! Someone screamed her name as she fell down".