Chapter 4

Eleanor’s expression stiffened. She averted her gaze uncomfortably and said nothing.

As for Arnold, he stayed silent for a long while. When he finally spoke, each word cut into my chest like a sharp blade.

“Since you asked, I’ll tell you the truth. We found out ten years ago that Jenna wasn’t our biological daughter. But we had raised her for so long that we had already accepted her as ours. Later, your mom was diagnosed with kidney failure and urgently needed a transplant. We had no choice but to bring you back because you’re a perfect match for her. We gave you life. Now that your mom’s life is in danger, donating a kidney to her is only fair. It is your duty, and you can’t escape it.”

His words cleared everything away, leaving nothing but the bitter truth to see.

The supposed longing and guilt at our first meeting had been nothing but pretense. From the very beginning, the reunion had been a calculated arrangement.

They had two biological sons and Jenna, whom they had raised and cherished for twenty-one years. Yet, they were unwilling to let any of them donate a kidney. Instead, they set their sights on me, the biological daughter they felt no real attachment to. They brought me back simply because I was the one they could sacrifice without hesitation.

I lifted my gaze to them, and my eyes were filled with nothing but sarcasm.

“Don’t you still have two biological sons? I’m sure they’d be a good match too.”

The expressions on all five of their faces changed instantly.

Arnold’s face darkened as he pointed at me.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Damian is the heir to the Sedgewick family, and Theodore is still a child. How could you even suggest such a thing?” he snapped.

Eleanor whipped around to glare at me, her eyes so vicious they looked ready to tear me apart.

“They’re both men. What if losing a kidney ruins their health for the rest of their lives? Willa, how can you be so cruel at your age? You’re trying to harm your own brothers!”

Jenna rushed to Eleanor’s side and supported her, wearing a dutiful, understanding expression.

“If only I were your biological daughter, Mom. I’d gladly give my life to save you.”

The Sedgewick family’s contempt for me deepened.

Damian stepped forward. He reached inside his jacket and pulled out an organ donation consent form.

“Willa, donating a kidney is your second test for joining the Sedgewick family. Sign this, and from this day on, you’ll truly be one of us.”

“One of you?” I scoffed, my voice firm. “From the very beginning, I never wanted to be part of this family, and I will never donate my kidney.”

With that, I turned to leave.

“Stop right there!”

I ignored the furious shouts behind me. But as soon as I opened the examination room door, two bodyguards stationed outside blocked my path.

They dragged me back inside roughly and forced me to sign the consent form.

Immediately after, they bound me tightly and hauled me into the operating room.

The surgeon picked up the anesthesia needle and was about to inject when Jenna shrieked, “No anesthesia! Doesn’t she think she’s tough? Since she dares to oppose the Sedgewick family, she needs to be taught a lesson!”

The surgeon froze mid-motion, clearly conflicted. He instinctively turned to Eleanor.

“But… doing this without anesthesia would be unbearable. The pain could kill her.”

With a sneer, Eleanor spoke in a harsh tone.

“If she dies from the pain, it’s her own fault. She brought this on herself. If anything happens, our family will take responsibility. Just do it.”

The scalpel, glinting coldly under the lights, edged closer and closer until it was about to pierce my skin.

I stared at the white ceiling, trembling uncontrollably in despair.

Suddenly, a deafening bang echoed as the heavy doors of the operating room crashed down.

A sleek, roaring motorcycle burst straight through the entrance, its engine screaming as it skidded into a sharp drift and stopped right next to the operating table.

My adoptive mother, Natasha Steele, ripped her helmet off and hurled it forward. It struck the scalpel cleanly out of the surgeon’s hand.

Meanwhile, my adoptive father, Hank Jernigan, kicked the lead surgeon to the floor and scanned the room with bloodshot eyes.

“Which of you has a death wish? How dare you touch my daughter?!” he roared.