Chapter 2

Her face gradually lost all its color.

"No. That's not possible. Our marriage does have problems, but we're not at the point of ending it. Once this period is over, we can start over."

I looked at her and suddenly felt exhausted. "Start over with what? Wait for Daniel to lose control again? Wait for Lily to cry that she doesn't want a baby brother or sister and doesn't want you leaving her? Wait for you to tell me once again that they need you more?"

I shook my head. "Claire, it's not that I don't believe you love me. It's that I don't believe there's much of that love left for me.

"Your love is stretched too thin. You have too many people and too many things demanding a piece of it. By the time it's my turn, there's barely anything left, and I'm still expected to understand, give in, and not make a fuss.

"But I can't do that anymore."

She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

The doctor took me into a consultation room alone and repeatedly assured me that I could leave at any time without facing any consequences.

I didn't tell her about what had happened in the car.

I only said that I agreed to have my blood drawn this once because I wanted them out of my life as soon as possible.

In the end, I agreed to an initial blood test.

She also made it clear that any further evaluation or living donation would have to be my own independent and voluntary decision, and that I could withdraw my consent at any time.

I sat there, watching the blood slowly fill the collection tube. It felt as though the last bit of hope I had left for Claire was being drained away with it.

When I came out, she was waiting at the end of the hallway. "Does it hurt?"

I walked past her. "Of course it hurts."

She stood there, her eyes slowly reddening. It was the first time in all these years that I had told her directly that I was hurting.

When I reached the hospital exit, I stopped. "Let's get a divorce. Even if the compatibility results are favorable, I'll decide for myself whether I want to proceed with the donation. But no matter what I decide, this marriage is over."

Claire went pale. "Ev, let's go home and talk about this. You need to rest."

"I know you're in a difficult position," I said. "Daniel is seriously ill, and Lily is still young. You feel responsible for them, and you feel guilty. I understand all of that.

"But understanding doesn't mean I can accept it. I can't accept always coming last. I can't accept being the one who has to step aside every time something goes wrong."

Her phone suddenly rang.

Claire glanced at the caller ID. It was Lily's teacher, Jenna Carter.

"Answer it," I said.

She picked up.

"Ms. Bennett, Lily just ran out of school," Ms. Carter said urgently. "The school has already started searching and contacted 911. Someone saw her running toward the other side of the street. Can you come immediately?"

Claire shot to her feet.

I lowered my head, my fingers tightening around the hem of my shirt.

"Ev, I—"

"Go." I looked up at her. "Lily needs you."

She closed her eyes briefly. "I'll be right there."

She started to reach for me, then pulled her hand back halfway. "Go home and get some rest. We'll talk everything through tonight."

She turned and hurried away, her footsteps fading at the end of the hallway.

I leaned against the cold wall and closed my eyes.

Claire. I won't be waiting for you anymore.