My Kidney for His Hatred

How was I supposed to come up with fifty grand in such a short time? Just as I was drowning in frustration, my friend, Susie Williams, called. She knew I needed money and told me about a job selling liquor at a high-end club. I skipped dinner and rushed straight to the address she sent me. Only when I arrived did I realize—it was Rose Club, the most exclusive establishment in the city.A place where the rich and powerful gathered. The club sold luxury wines, some costing hundred grand per bottle. A single successful sale could earn me tens of thousands in commission. If the customers were generous, the service tips alone could be substantial. If things went well, I’d only need to sell a few bottles to clear my debt to James. I took a deep breath, composed myself, and stepped inside. The manager handed me a few bottles of premium liquor and sent me to Room 5 to make a sale. I knocked, pushed the door open—and froze. James Larson. He sat at the head of t

But James just gave a cold, indifferent smile. “Quit the act, Amelia Simmons.” “A few drinks won’t kill you.” “Didn’t you used to handle clients like a pro? You could drink anyone under the table.” He wasn’t wrong. Back then, I could drink. When James and I first graduated college and started our business together, I’d do whatever it took to land deals—including drinking with clients. Some were difficult, dragging me through all-night drinking sessions just to test my limits. I’d spend the next morning in the hospital getting my stomach pumped—only to go back out and do it all over again that night. I was strong then. My body could take it. And James… he hated seeing me like that. Whenever he could, he’d shield me, taking the drinks himself. For years, he loved me with everything he had. Not only did he fight beside me in business, but he also took care of me in every way. He never let me lift a finger at home—always handling everything himself.

“She’s in end-stage kidney failure,” Susie said, her voice trembling with anger.  “She has less than two months left.”  “And if she hadn’t given you a kidney back then, she wouldn’t be—”  James’ pupils contracted sharply. “What?”  Panicked, I clamped my hand over Susie’s mouth.  “Stop. Don’t say another word. Don’t make things up—he won’t believe you.”  But Susie was done. She tore my hand away, her fury exploding.  “Amelia, how much longer are you going to hide it? “Does he really deserve your sacrifice? “He’s never cared about you. He stood by while others humiliated you, let them hurt you!”  James’ face twisted—anger, confusion, something deeper. Finally, he said, “I’ll investigate this myself.”  “I hope you can back up your claims.”  I let out a sharp, bitter laugh.  “Don’t bother. “It’s all fake. “You never believed me anyway.”  James turned to his assistant. “Pull the hospital’s surveillance footage.”  Lucy’s expression instantly changed.  She

I didn’t have the strength to keep guessing what they were thinking. My body was failing. I could die any day now. Susie helped me outside for a short walk near my home. The old, run-down park, the tiny restaurant that had been around for years, the dilapidated movie theater, the struggling flower shop with just one employee… Every corner of this city held memories of James. For the past eight years, I had spent everything I had trying to stay alive. The apartment we once bought together—our wedding home—had long been sold. But when the new owner put it up for rent, I rented it back. For eight years, I had clung to the past, living in the same space where James’ presence still lingered. But now, I was dying. There was no point holding on anymore. If I was going to die, I wanted to leave with nothing. So I left the city and returned to my childhood home in the countryside. I hadn’t touched the money James had given me. Instead, I handed it to my