Share

Chapter 2

Penulis: Fortune Abundant
Cora's death plunged me into a personal hell.

Sleep offered no escape; nightmares of her collapse and that disastrous wedding jolted me awake. The wounds were too raw to touch, yet Eleanor kept prodding them.

Sleep was no escape; nightmares of her collapse and that cursed wedding yanked me awake. Those wounds were too raw to touch, but Eleanor kept poking at them.

"Give it a rest, Lincoln," she snapped. "This victim act is getting old. Faking Cora's death to guilt-trip me? She'd be ashamed of you."

"You think I'd lie about this?" I pointed at the tombstone, two steps away. "Her tombstone is right there. Go see for yourself."

She glanced at it, her brow furrowing. "You made a fake tombstone just to scam me? That's pathetic."

Her words ignited my fury. She'd ruined my wedding, caused Cora's death, and left me drowning in grief, yet she stood there judging me.

My hand rose, but I stopped short, my upbringing holding me back.

Her face twisted with disgust. "You're lying and trying to hit me? You've changed. Adrian needs a kidney transplant now. Come with me to the hospital and sign the donation form. Then we'll have a serious talk about what you can and can't do."

She grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward her car.

I yanked free, my voice raw. "I've got alcoholic hepatitis and chronic nephritis. I can't donate."

She rolled her eyes. "You're faking those, too, just to avoid helping Adrian? Look, I know I've been caught up with him and kind of sidelined you. I'm sorry, okay? Once he's better, I'm all yours. Can you do this for me?"

I couldn't fathom why she never believed me. I'd told her about my hepatitis, caught from drinking myself sick to secure deals for her. She never listened or cared.

"I'm not donating. Drop it," I said, turning to leave.

Undeterred, she waved over two burly bodyguards. "You don't get to say no. Get him in the car."

I was a desk jockey, my strength no match for theirs. They quickly grabbed me and shoved me into the car.

Eleanor ordered the driver to drive, and I protested, "I'm not going. My body can't take losing a kidney."

She only gave a snort. I tried to leap out the window, but the guards hauled me back, pinning my arms.

"If you've got a shred of humanity, let me go!" I yelled. "You've already killed my mom. Do you want my blood on your hands, too?"

We'd grown up together, shared first kisses, and whispered promises. Even if her love had faded, I thought she'd value my life.

But she just sighed. "It's one kidney. You're not gonna die. Quit acting like a drama queen."

She'd forgotten the night I shielded her from her father's fists, earning a ruptured eardrum. She'd sworn to protect me, but now she was the one cutting me deepest.

I begged and pleaded, but she wouldn't change her mind.

At the hospital, as the guards dragged me through the bustling lobby, I screamed, "Let me go! I can't do this!"

Passersby turned, and I cried for help.

Eleanor's patience snapped. "If you don't want Mike fired or Jake locked up for that fight, shut up and cooperate."

Mike worked at her company, saving every penny for his upcoming wedding. His brother, Jake Fletcher, had gotten into a scuffle defending me from some goons hired by a rival company. The case was still in mediation.

I froze, staring at the woman I'd loved for years. My fists clenched. "I regret ever falling for you."

"It's just a kidney, not your soul," she snorted, not caring a bit.

Her mind was filled with Adrian's well-being. Frustrated, I roared, "If you care about him so much, why did you marry me? I never forced you."

Her face darkened. "Don't be ridiculous. Adrian is like a brother to me. Stop with the jealous nonsense."

She was the one talking nonsense. No siblings would wear matching hoodies, sneak kisses, or pose for wedding photos.

Our wedding was overdue, and we hadn't taken our photos. But when Adrian whined about it, she jumped at the chance.

Her heart belonged to him, and any arguing was futile. I could only blame my own stupidity. Losing my mom and my dignity was the price of my blindness.

A security guard and a couple of bystanders asked if I needed help. I shook my head, defeated.

Eleanor tugged me inside and asked for tests to be done. The doctor happened to be Audrey Hubbard, a high school classmate who'd once had a crush on me.

"Ms. Hamm," she said, holding my chart, "Mr. Ingram has nephritis and viral hepatitis. He's not eligible to donate."

"Nice try," Eleanor scoffed. "Got Miss Ivy League to lie for you, huh?"

Adrian, propped up on his bed, played the saint. "It's fine. If Lincoln's not up for it, let it go. I don't want you two to fight over me."

Eleanor softened. "Don't talk like that. His life is not worth more than yours."

Disposable. That was how she saw me. No wonder my medical records meant nothing.

The hospital was owned by Adrian's family, so Eleanor pulled strings to swap Audrey for a new doctor, who shared a knowing look with Adrian and glossed over my conditions, fast-tracking me to surgery.

When Eleanor stepped out, Adrian leaned in with a smirk. "You're her boyfriend, so what? I bought a couple of hamsters for ten bucks, said I want a pet wedding, and she ditched you. I faked kidney failure, said our kidneys matched, and she strong-armed you to donate. A broke nobody like you can't compete with me. Losing your mom was too easy."

I'd known he despised me, but faking his illness? That was a new low.

"You want Eleanor? Go for her. Why destroy me and my family?" I demanded, my voice cracking with rage.

He didn't answer. Instead, he slapped himself hard and wailed, "Lincoln, I never meant to steal her. Please, stop hitting me. I'm too sick for this."

Eleanor burst in, shielding him, and slapped me. "How dare you lay a hand on Adrian?"

Blood filled my mouth, and I stared at her incredulously.

She'd sworn she hated anyone who hit their family. Her dad's fists taught her that. Yet here she was, striking me for Adrian.

Her eyes flickered, avoiding mine. "Touch him again, and you'll get worse than a slap."

I fought to stay calm. "He admitted he faked his illness and tanked our wedding on purpose. I've got it recorded."

I reached for my phone, and Adrian cowered in fear.

But then, Eleanor snatched it and smashed it to the floor. "Enough with your lies!"

Every tender moment we'd shared dissolved under her betrayal. A chill settled into my bones, my teeth chattering with rage and hurt.

Worried I'd hurt Adrian, she had orderlies strap me to a bed. I ate, slept, and relieved myself there, my hatred for her burning brighter than ever.

Vile traitors could never be forgiven.

Soon, they wheeled me into surgery. My body was already a wreck, and a year of grinding myself down with work and wedding stress made it worse.

The surgeon, following Adrian's orders, botched the procedure. I flatlined and was rushed to the ICU.

That was when Eleanor finally panicked.

Once I was stable in a regular ward, she hovered by my bed, muttering, "It's just one kidney. How did you end up in the ICU?"

"Because he's got nephritis and hepatitis, and his body was too weak for your stunt. Proud of yourself?" Mike snapped.

I'd called him, not trusting Eleanor or this hospital. He gently lifted me into the wheelchair, his face etched with worry and anger.

He had brought Cora's death certificate, cremation papers, and my medical records.

I hurled the papers at Eleanor's face. "You turned our wedding into a joke, made me a laughingstock, killed my mom, and nearly killed me. What did I ever do to deserve this?"

The papers grazed her cheek, leaving tiny marks before fluttering to the floor. She scooped them up, her face draining of color.
Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terbaru

  • Forced to Save Her Childhood Sweetheart   Chapter 8

    Lucy and I were middle-school classmates. I knew her game.She dropped the act, flashing a toothy grin. "Alright, alright. Gotta play the part for the suits. Making deals go smoother. But you're immune, huh?"She slouched in her chair, and I got down to business. "I'll join and bring at least half of the Fuller Group's clients. But I've got demands.""Hit me with them," she said, joking. "Even if it's being your lover."I rolled my eyes. "One, double my salary. Two, I'm going after every Fuller deal. Let me slash prices to win them, but I won't bleed your bottom line."I braced for her pushback, but Lucy stood up, grabbing my hands and shaking them like a kid at Christmas. "Deal. No backing out.""Grow up." I rolled my eyes, but a smile tugged at my lips.After I joined Lucy's company, Eleanor cornered me outside my new office. "What, you're in love with Lucy now? That's why you dumped me?""Don't project your sleaze onto me," I countered, pushing back.She grabbed my arm, des

  • Forced to Save Her Childhood Sweetheart   Chapter 7

    The backlash forced the Fuller Hospital to shut down for investigation, but their real money came from medical equipment, which was barely touched.Eleanor kept groveling. "You've made your point. Can you let it go now? I convinced the Fullers not to retaliate. I really care about you. Drop the charges before things go out of control."She showered me with watches, cars, and houses, playing the devoted fiancée.Jake, fed up with her stalking, beat the tar out of her. She didn't fight back, just stood there, taking the punches.She looked at me, her eyes glistening. "I deserve this for hurting you and Cora. If it makes you feel better, keep hitting."She landed in the hospital but didn't press charges against Jake. She called me instead, "Lincoln, I'm so sorry. If I'd known Adrian was lying, I'd never have ruined our wedding."I wasn't moved. "It wasn't just the wedding. We were done the second you chose him over me.""He tricked me," she protested. "I'm a victim, too.""Doesn't

  • Forced to Save Her Childhood Sweetheart   Chapter 6

    During the police interview, Eleanor was a mess, her eyes darting to me every few seconds.When it was over, she practically tackled me. "I had no idea Adrian was lying. If I'd known, I'd never have ditched our wedding or pushed you to donate. I'll cut ties with him, I promise. Please, give me a chance to fix this."Her eyes were red with regret, but I felt nothing. "You killed my mom and nearly killed me. You think an apology makes that go away? Things don't work like that."A few crocodile tears wouldn't erase the pain she had caused. Her regret was too late, meaningless now.She grabbed my hand, desperate. "I'll make it up to you and everything. Name your price, and I'll pay. I'll promote Mike and do anything for you. I was deceived, but I'll protect you from now on."I jerked my hand free. "I don't need it, not after you took my only family. If you truly want to make amends, turn yourself in."Her lashes fluttered. "I would, but my mom has no one else. If I go to jail, she'll

  • Forced to Save Her Childhood Sweetheart   Chapter 5

    Half an hour later, Eleanor called again, but I didn't answer immediately, mimicking her past indifference."As I said, Cora's death and your surgery were accidents," she spluttered. "I'll make it up to you. Why did you call the police, saying I forced you to donate?""Because you did," I said coolly.I'd recorded everything when she coerced me. She'd done the kidney matching behind my back, never asking my consent. Even if she'd been my everything once, she had no right to harm me.She faltered, stammering, "But... that'll tank the hospital's reputation and crush Adrian. He just had a transplant. He needs peace.""Why should I give a damn? He deserves whatever's coming," I said.Adrian had manipulated her into wedding photos, stolen kisses when she was drunk, and orchestrated that hamster stunt to ruin our wedding, all while faking his illness.The only thing I felt for him was hatred."You're cursing a sick man?" she yelled. "You're a monster!""Worry less about me and more

  • Forced to Save Her Childhood Sweetheart   Chapter 4

    A week later, Eleanor showed up at my hospital room.Mike was at work, leaving me alone.She banged on the door, shouting my name until nurses intervened. To avoid a scene, I let her in.She stood in the doorway, her arms loaded with fancy supplements. Her face was heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry. Adrian has been so sick that I couldn't leave his side.""Then stay gone. You're not welcome here," I said coldly.She frowned, stepping closer. "Don't say that. You're my fiancé. I'd never abandon you."I pushed her back. "Fiancé? Don't make me gag. We're done, Eleanor."I'd never been so harsh with her. I'd hoped she'd show real remorse for my mom's death and my near-fatal surgery. But I'd overestimated her.In her mind, our lives meant nothing compared to Adrian's. A week had passed, and she hadn't apologized to me or visited Cora's grave.She started to snap but caught herself. "I screwed up, okay? I'm sorry. But Adrian has kidney failure. All he wanted was a little hamster wedding.

  • Forced to Save Her Childhood Sweetheart   Chapter 3

    Eleanor shook her head. "You cooked this up to screw with me? Faking such papers is easy."She called her assistant to verify. Ten minutes later, the reply came. "It's all real, Ms. Hamm."Ten minutes. That was all it took to confirm Cora's death and my illness. But Eleanor hadn't bothered, assuming I was lying.Her face went ashen as she clutched the phone. "Lincoln, I'm so sorry. I thought you were bluffing. Adrian is dying, and he just wanted a little hamster wedding. I couldn't say no, so I postponed ours. I never meant for Cora to..."Her excuses grated on me. "Mike, let's get out of here. I've got a bed waiting at another hospital."Mike nodded, snatching the papers and pushing my wheelchair.Not done, Eleanor lunged to block us. "You're too weak to move around. Stay here.""No chance in hell," I spat.I didn't trust this place as far as I could throw it. They'd forced a sick man to donate a kidney. Who knew what else they'd pull?She started to argue, but a nurse called

Bab Lainnya
Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status