Ding!
Her cell rang.
[As soon as you can, please visit the hospital to donate blood.]
Frozen, Elina Saarinen gazed at the screen. Her chest felt constricted, as if someone had taken away her breath. "Hubby" was the sender's name that flashed at the top.
Ding!
There was another alert. This one is from the bank.
[Transfer of Funds: $500,000]
Her fingers trembled a little as she scrolled up. They were there. Message after message, identical:
[Don't forget to visit the hospital.]
[Transfer of Funds: $500,000]
[Please arrive at the hospital immediately.]
[Transfer of Funds: $500,000]
The situation recurred repeatedly.
These were the only occasions in the three years of her marriage to Aleksi Virtanen that he ever made initial contact. It's always about her blood. Not because he was concerned. It wasn't because he was missing her. Sofia Niema solely benefited from her blood.
He looked at her as if she were a stranger. Perhaps even less.
This month alone, three blood donations have taken place. Her body had had enough. She was pale, weak, and lightheaded. But she persisted in the hopes that he would notice. I'm hoping he will view her as more than just a source.
She had spent more than an hour waiting in the rain outside Aleksi's office yesterday. She wanted to surprise him. However, he never descended. After getting soaked, she became ill, experiencing fever, aches, and difficulty sitting up straight. She hadn't left for work. Was he even aware?
Unsure whether to answer him, she looked at her phone once more.
Then there was another message.
From an unidentified number: [Your presence is merely nominal, even if you hold the title of Mrs Virt.]
an. You were never important to Aleksi. He spent last night at my house. To be honest, I would hang myself if I were you. You are pitiful. You are simply a nuisance.
A homewrecker?
Startled, Elina blinked.
She was his lawful spouse. For him, she sacrificed her family, her name, and her life. And now? Is that her current nickname?
One more ping.
A picture.
Her stomach fell.
It was Aleksi, soundly dozing, his face slightly turned, like a museum sculpture.
Sofia Niema was beside him, her head resting on his shoulder, her lips curled into a smirk.
They appeared comfortable. They exuded the comfort of a deeply infatuated couple. It seemed as though Elina had never experienced such bliss before.
Her phone rang.
Virtanen House appeared on the screen.
She responded without giving it any thought.
"Did you forget the day, Elina?"
Maarit Virtanen was the one. She spoke sharply. chilly.
"The maids have left." Come on over and prepare dinner.
Elina remained silent. She simply hung up.
For a long time, she sat motionless.
She was his secretary at work. People whispered behind her back and looked down on her. She accepted it. She believed that everything would work out if she put in significant effort and remained faithful.
She was a servant at home. Maarit and Aleksi's sister would constantly remind her of her "unknown background." She viewed them as insignificant. They forced her to do everything, including cleaning the floors, dishes, and laundry.
Elina never shared any information with Aleksi.
She didn't mean to make him feel more anxious. She didn't want him to think that she was helpless.
She took care of everything for him.
He also did nothing to help her.
No birthdays. No anniversaries. There was not even a fleeting glance of friendship.
There were only requests for blood and bank transfers.
She chuckled. Only once. Her laughter was hollow and dry.
She launched the messaging app.
typed rapidly.
[Let's file for divorce.]
She sent it.
Her phone rang a few seconds later.
Aleksi was the one.
She anticipated his anger.
He spoke quickly and sharply: "What is this, Elina? Are you serious? What is your desired amount? Simply say it. Sofia is not doing well. The physician said—
Her voice was steady but hoarse. "In an hour, Aleksi Virtanen, please meet me at the Tampere Civil Office. Or don't. If you choose not to meet me, you can watch her die instead.
She hung up.
Ding!
The bank had issued another warning.
[Transfer of funds: $1,000,000]
She laughed and threw back her head. It wasn't dry this time. It was noisy. It tasted bitter. And like a broken faucet, her tears fell.
"Absurd... just so dumb."
She simultaneously cried and laughed. Her entire body trembled.
She meant this to him, then.
She saw only numbers on a screen. Only blood. There wasn't much else to see.
She dabbed at her face. stood.
The process was complete.
