Chapter 2

After that, Nicole moved out of her home and lived with me in a cramped rental studio apartment during my internship.

Life was hard, but at least it was happy. Then, one day, I came back from my internship to find Nicole lying on the floor. Her face was deathly pale.

After rushing her to the hospital, she was diagnosed with severe congenital anemia.

When her parents arrived in a panic, Mrs. Hayes immediately slapped me across the face without a word.

However, after hearing that Nicole would need continuous blood transfusions for the rest of her life, and that my blood type matched hers, her attitude changed instantly. She began praising me for my deep bond with Nicole.

I was not naive. I understood exactly why her attitude shifted.

It was not complicated. Nicole’s blood type was rare. Relying on hospital blood supplies for life would be extremely expensive.

Using me as a donor would save them a fortune.

I was young then, and I valued love deeply. I could not bring myself to abandon Nicole just because she was sick.

In the end, I did not argue with Mrs. Hayes, and I began this long path of blood donation.

For ten years, I did not take a single cent of the hospital’s donor compensation. Though my body was severely drained from repeated donations, I never once asked Nicole’s family for nutritional support.

There were even many times when I covered Nicole’s medical bills myself when she could not afford them.

I thought Nicole and her parents understood everything I had done over the last ten years. I never expected that just a few words from Nurse Jayden would make them believe I had earned $200,000 from her.

What I expected even less was that Nicole believed marrying me was nothing more than emotional coercion.

A bitter ache rose in my chest. When my strength finally returned a little, I pushed myself up from the chair and slowly walked toward the consultation room.

However, before I even reached the door, I heard Jayden’s voice inside.

“Miss Hayes, and Mr. and Mrs. Hayes, as a nurse, my job is to save lives. I really can’t stand people who profit off patients, or who use a patient’s illness to pressure them into marriage.

“Here’s what I propose. I also have a rare blood type. From now on, I’ll donate blood to Miss Hayes instead. Don’t worry. I’m just kind-hearted. I don’t want money, and I certainly don’t want to marry her.”

His voice carried an energetic, almost too-bright confidence.

Before I started donating blood to Nicole, I used to speak just like that, full of strength and energy. However, after ten years of donations, I could barely even raise my voice anymore.

As soon as he spoke, Mrs. Hayes immediately exclaimed excitedly, “Really, Jayden? You’re such a good person!

“Honestly, I’ve never liked Evan. If it weren’t for Nicole’s illness, I wouldn’t have accepted him as a son-in-law at all.

“I’ve tolerated him for ten years, and now, I find out he’s been profiting off my daughter all along. It’s disgusting!”

“Well, it’s not exactly profiteering. It’s the hospital’s policy, and Evan can’t really be blamed for taking the compensation.” Mr. Hayes tried to smooth things over.

Jayden spoke again.

“I’m not saying he’s at fault. I just think it’s unfair that he took compensation for Miss Hayes without telling you, while you all were grateful to him. And now, he’s using that gratitude to push for marriage. That’s what feels inappropriate.

“If I donate blood instead, there won’t be any of these complications. You won’t have to force yourselves to accept him as a son-in-law either. It solves everything.”

Mr. Hayes said nothing more.

Nicole, who had been silent all along, suddenly spoke.

“Are you sure you can keep this up? I’ll need lifelong transfusions.”

That question alone meant she was already tempted.

Jayden smiled. “Of course. I have professional integrity.”

Mrs. Hayes immediately made the final decision. “It’s settled.

“Once we’re out, she’s breaking up with Evan. I’ve had enough of him for the last ten years!”