The Heartless Alpha, Ashes and Blood

On the day my son was born, Jasper gave me a gift I would never forget.

Because my mother's cooking had disturbed his stepsister Lila's sleep, Lila forced her to swallow a whole bottle of sleeping pills. My mother died in the hospital shortly after.

At the funeral, Jasper held my hand, his voice as gentle as if he were soothing a child. "Quinn, Lila was just being reckless this time. I'll make sure she apologizes to your mom."

Then, he merely grounded Lila for a single week and even drafted a legal settlement for me to sign.

I refused to let it go. I got the surveillance footage from a friend and, before my maternity leave was even over, I took my baby to the courthouse to beg for justice.

The day the verdict was supposed to come, he looked at me and smiled, his tone airy. "Quinn, why go through all this? Lila knows she messed up. That's enough."

"Clinging to this isn't good for your health."

When I didn't back down, he actually used our child to threaten me, forcing me to drop the charges immediately. He told me that if I didn't, the baby wouldn't survive until tomorrow.

That was the moment I finally woke up. I realized that my child and I didn't mean a fraction of what Lila meant to him.

Jasper held our tiny, swaddled baby in his arms. His eyes were cold, but his voice was as soft as cotton.

"Quinn, the baby's life or the lawsuit? You have to choose."

My whole body shook, and the hair on my arms stood up. He was actually willing to hurt his own flesh and blood for a stepsister who wasn't even related by blood.

"Jasper, does it really have to be this cruel?"

"I'm not dropping the charges. My mother isn't going to die for nothing."

I was gambling. I was betting that he still had a shred of fatherly instinct left in him.

Jasper's hand paused for a second. He placed the baby back in the crib, his gaze turning icy even though his voice remained sweet.

"Lila didn't mean it. She just has a terrible temper when she wakes up. You know how girls are; they can't always control their emotions."

He slid a check toward me. "Here's a hundred million. If it's not enough, just ask."

"I've already punished her. Be a good girl and let this go. Don't ruin your health over it. Your mom wouldn't want to see you like this."

My mom?

I didn't have a mother anymore because of him.

My stomach churned, and I suddenly felt a wave of nausea, retching bile onto the floor.

"Jasper, my mother wasn't a commodity to be traded. She was a living, breathing human being."

"How old is Lila? Does she not know that an overdose of sleeping pills is fatal?"

Even though it was July, Jasper's words felt like shards of ice stabbing into my heart.

"Quinn, I'm giving you one last chance. Think carefully before you answer."

Jasper's assistant brought over my mother's funeral portrait and her urn.

Jasper whistled for his dog. He didn't stop moving his hand, slowly pouring my mother's ashes into the dog's food bowl.

"Drop the charges, or I'll make sure your mother has no peace in the afterlife. Your choice."

My brain felt like it had been struck by a hammer. My vision blurred as tears flooded my eyes, making the horrific scene before me distort.

"Quinn, my patience is limited. Forget about this, and let's go back to our lives."

His tone was flat, but every word felt like a frozen needle piercing my soul.

I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood. The metallic tang filled my mouth, bitter and raw.

Years ago, he was just a stray kid on the streets. My mother was the one who took him in, fed him, and clothed him. She treated him better than her own daughter.

When his wealthy biological family finally reclaimed him, we stayed by his side out of loyalty.

When his enemies kidnapped him once, my mother took five knife wounds to protect him. She nearly died for him.

That was when I fell for him. I watched him go from having nothing to becoming a titan of the city. We got married under the gaze of the entire town.

He had made grand romantic gestures across Chicago, putting up billboards of his love for three days and nights. Everyone said we were the perfect couple.

But the moment that stepsister of his returned, everything changed.

Every bit of kindness he once showed me was tossed away like trash.

His eyes only saw his precious little princess. My son and I, along with the loyalty my mother bought with her life, were crushed under his feet.

I fought back the urge to vomit. I stared into Jasper's bottomless eyes, my voice cracking with agony. "Jasper, do you even have a soul? My mother literally bled for you!"

"Just because Lila had a bad morning, you're desecrating her remains? Are you even human?"

My legs were weak, but I lunged forward with everything I had, clutching the urn to my chest.

I couldn't believe it. The man I once loved more than anything could be this heartless just to protect a spoiled brat.

He reached out to steady my trembling body, his palm feeling sickeningly warm. "Quinn, Lila is still young. She needs to be taught slowly."

"You're going to be family, after all. You need to learn how to get along with your sister-in-law."

In the end, I compromised for my mother's sake.

I never imagined that his version of punishment was simply forbidding Lila from having ice cream for a week.

I laughed at myself. This time was indeed serious; he was just making sure her period wouldn't be painful.

Lila getting into trouble wasn't anything new. She'd caused car accidents before, but this time, the cost was my mother's life.

Jasper always talked about teaching her a lesson in front of me, but he'd secretly clean up all her messes behind my back.

Once, I was trapped in the mountains during a thunderstorm. I called him thirty times, but his line was always busy. He was busy feeding Lila bird's nest soup because she had a cold.

Even when I was in labor, he received a call from her and left without looking back. I knew then that he was off to fix another one of her disasters.

But this time, it was different. This time, it was my mother.

After the ordeal, he held me, his voice devoid of any real emotion.

"Quinn, don't overthink it. We have a long life ahead of us."

"Lila made a mistake, but we have to set a good example for the baby. If we show kindness, he'll grow up to be a good person."

He used the sweetest tone to say the most gut-wrenching things to me.

I had foolishly hoped that, just once, he would take my side.

Clearly, I was delusional.

The guard dogs around us bared their teeth, staring hungrily at the ashes in my arms.

"Jasper, I'll drop it," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Just let the baby go... and leave my mother alone."

His face instantly lit up with joy, his tone becoming upbeat. "Quinn, I knew you were sensible. You're going to be a great role model."

"Next week is our third anniversary. I'll make sure to get you something spectacular, okay?"

His words were warm, but my heart was a graveyard.

My fingers shook so much I could barely hold the pen. Ignoring the crushing pain in my chest, I signed the withdrawal form.

I tried to suppress my emotions, lying numbly on the bed while scrolling through my phone.

A headline hit me like a physical blow: "Billionaire Jasper Harris Rents Top Three Floors of Luxury Hotel for Sister's Birthday."

In the photos, the gift he gave her was the Harris family heirloomDa priceless emerald bracelet.

When I married into the family, he never once mentioned that bracelet to me.

I used to lie to myself, thinking it was because I hadn't given him an heir yet.

Now I finally saw the truth. From the beginning, he simply didn't think I was worthy.

A notification popped up on Jasper's social media, searing my eyes: "Only the best for our precious little princess."

Seven years of being together, and he couldn't even be bothered to post a single photo on our wedding day.

Now, for Lila, he had no boundaries left.

My throat felt constricted, and my sobs were muffled in my chest.

The next day, the baby was taken for a bone marrow biopsy. Jasper casually said it was just a routine newborn check and told me not to worry.

My mind was so consumed by my mother's funeral that I didn't notice anything suspicious.

On the day of the funeral, I planted my mother's favorite white chrysanthemums by her grave.

I prayed she would have a peaceful next life and never choose a daughter like me again.

But Jasper actually brought Lila there. I had explicitly forbidden her from ever setting foot near the site.

By the time I saw her, she was kneeling there, burning ritual paper.

I rushed over and kicked the fire out, shoving her to the ground.

"Jasper, does she still hate me? I really am sorry..." she sobbed, clutching her face.

Jasper immediately knocked over the incense burner in front of me, his voice freezing. "It's just some paper, Quinn. Since when did you become so petty?"

Lila's tears fell even faster. "Quinn, I really came to apologize to your mom. Can't you just... forgive me this once?"

She reached out to grab me, but in a spot where no one else could see, she dug her nails deep into my skin.

The pain made me jerk away. I glared at Jasper. "Get her out of here, and I won't pursue this."

The surrounding relatives began to whisper, judging me. Lila's fake distress suddenly turned into pure venom.

"Why care about some old country woman dying? She was just a burden anyway!" she screamed. "If Jasper hadn't forced me, do you think people like you deserve an apology?"

Before anyone could react, she grabbed my mother's framed photo and smashed it onto the ground.

"You want a nice funeral? If I'm miserable, no one gets to be happy!"

I stared at the shattered frame, feeling as if my heart had been gouged out.

Before anyone could stop her, she pulled out a lighter and set the funeral drapes on fire.

"No!"

I screamed until my lungs burned. Everything went black, and I lost consciousness.

When I opened my eyes again, all I saw was the sterile white ceiling of a hospital room.

I lifted my arm and saw that my skin was charred and blistered, stuck to the bandages.

No one was by my side. I heard a nurse sigh nearby. "Poor thing. Where's her family? The woman in the next bed just has a scratch, and her husband is practically crying."

I squeezed my eyes shut, bitterness flooding my throat.

I was useless. I couldn't even protect my mother's final farewell.

Just as a tear escaped, Jasper's voice rang out with a hint of a smile. "Quinn, are you still in pain? Lila was just acting like a kid. I scolded her already. She's not a bad person at heart."

"Once you're better, we'll throw your mom a much grander memorial, okay?"

I yanked my hand away from his touch. My voice was as flat as a dead sea. "Don't bother."

Before I could process anything else, my cousin called. "Quinn, it's bad! The baby... the baby has been taken!"

"What?" I shrieked, my voice breaking.

Desperate to hold onto my last hope, I dragged myself off the bed and knelt before Jasper.

"Please, please save Leo. He's innocent."

Jasper acted as if it was nothing. "It's fine. He just went to have some bone marrow drawn."

The blood in my veins turned to ice. Under my burned skin, my very bones began to shiver.

"Bone marrow?" I rasped. "Leo is a newborn! Why are you taking his bone marrow? For who?"

Jasper knelt down, that same gentle smile plastered on his face. "Quinn, don't get worked up. Lila was diagnosed with a blood disorder recently. The doctor said she needs an urgent transplant, and Leo happened to be a perfect match."

"You know Lila has always been frail. We can't just let her die, can we? Besides, it's just a little bit. The doctor promised it wouldn't hurt him."

I looked at the lack of guilt in his eyes. A copper taste filled my mouth.

The "newborn check" was never for my son. He was planned to be Lila's walking blood bank from the start.

I had nearly died giving birth to him, and to Jasper, he was just spare parts for his stepsister.

"The address," I said, throwing off the covers. The movement tore at my burned skin, but I didn't care. "I'm going to see Leo."

Jasper blocked my path. "Quinn, look at you. You can't go anywhere like this. Wait until you'reD"

"The address!" I cut him off.

My heart sank into an abyss. I fumbled for my phone, my fingers shaking so much I could barely dial.

I called Lila.

The phone rang for a long time before a bratty female voice answered, but it wasn't Lila. "Oh, look who it is. Looking for our Lila, Quinn?"

I hissed through my teeth, "Where is Leo? Put Lila on the phone."

"Lila is resting. She doesn't have time for you," the voice mocked. "Honestly, Quinn, why do you even bother fighting her? You know who Jasper really loves. You're out of your league."

"Lila said it herself. Jasper would hand over your life on a silver platter if she asked, let alone your son's marrow."

Suddenly, Lila's voice came through. "Quinn, want the truth? Leo is right here with me. He's fine. Want to see him? I'll send you the address."

She gave me a location, and I immediately called a car.

When I arrived at the suburban villa, Lila was lounging on the sofa, playing with one of Leo's small toys.

"You look like a mess, Quinn. What, here for a final goodbye?"

"Where is Leo!" I lunged at her, but she stepped aside easily.

"What's the rush?" She stood up slowly and leaned in close, whispering, "Your mom's death was a blessing. She was an eyesore anyway. And your son's marrow is going to save my life. Isn't that a great honor for your family?"

"You killed my mother, and now you're touching my son?" I was vibrating with rage.

Lila suddenly screamed and fell backward, messing up her hair as her eyes turned red.

Jasper burst through the door. "What are you doing?"

Jasper pulled Lila into his arms, his forehead creased in a deep frown. "Quinn, haven't you had enough? Lila just got her strength back. Can't you just give her a break?"

I pointed at my charred, bandaged arm, my voice trembling. "I'm the one causing trouble? Jasper, she kidnapped Leo! She's draining his bone marrow! Can't you see that?"

"It's to save Lila's life." He started leading Lila toward the door. "Just calm down. We'll talk when you're thinking straight."

At the door, he glanced back at me, his tone almost kind. "Don't worry. I'll have Leo sent back later. Just focus on healing."

The door slammed shut, leaving me alone in the silent, empty villa.

My wounds felt like they were being rubbed with salt, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the hole in my chest.

I don't even remember how I got back to the hospital. Late that night, I opened the nursery monitor on my phone.

On the screen, Lila was wearing a silk nightgown, leaning into Jasper's chest. "Jasper, look at her. Isn't she pathetic?"

Jasper kissed the top of her head, his voice full of doting affection. "Don't let her get to you. It's not worth getting upset over."

Suddenly, my phone buzzed. It was a text from Lila with a room number at the downtown hospital's VIP wing.

I ripped the IV needle out of my arm like a madwoman and hailed a cab.

When I pushed open the door to the ward, the smell of disinfectant hit me.

In the incubator, the tiny baby I had only held for a few days was there. His face was as white as paper. He wasn't breathing.

"The baby... he didn't make it through the night..." the nurse said, her eyes red.

"He was too small. He couldn't handle the procedure. And since they didn't use anesthesia, he... he died from the shock of the pain."

I collapsed against the incubator, my fingers tracing the cold glass. My tears fell one after another, blurring the sight of his still face.

The next day, I dragged my broken body back to that house I once called home.

On the third day, I retrieved a hidden memory card from a camera I'd installed in the bedroom weeks ago.

It held clear evidence of Lila forcing my mother to swallow those pills.

It also recorded her acting cute with Jasper. "Even if she dies, you'll protect me, right?"

I handed the card to my lawyer and drafted a divorce settlement. I signed it and sent it directly to Jasper's office.

Once that was done, I called him.

When he answered, I could hear Lila's laughter in the background. "Quinn? What's up? I was just looking at venues for Leo's hundred-day party. I want it to be a surprise."

My hand shook as I held the phone, but my voice was eerily calm. "Jasper, meet me at my mother's grave."

"Why the hell would I go to the cemetery now?" he snapped, sounding annoyed. "I'm busyD"

I cut him off. "If you come now, you might catch the last glimpse of Leo."

I hung up immediately.

Jasper called back instantly, but I let it go to voicemail.

He shoved Lila away, grabbed his car keys, and ran out.

At the entrance of his building, he ran into the receptionist holding a package.

"Put it in my office!" he barked without looking up.

The receptionist gathered her courage. "But sir... your wife said this was urgent. You have to open it personally."

He impatiently tore the envelope open. The words "Divorce Settlement" hit him like a physical blow.

The papers slipped from his trembling fingers, fluttering to the floor.

%%%