The Final Judgment

In the courtroom.

My husband, Joseph Miller, gazed at his one true love with an anxious expression, his eyes full of confusion. "Quin Olson! How did you turn so cruel now? Don't you know that Helly is suffering from severe kidney failure? If she doesn't get a transplant, she'll die!"

The "Helly Shaw" Joseph referred to was, of course, his precious true love. Helly leaned against Joseph, tears streaming down her face.

"That's right, Quin. When you were in that car accident, I didn't even hesitate before donating my blood to you. But now that I'm sick, you won't even spare me a kidney? I really don't want to make things hard for you, Quin. I just want to live…"

Seeing that I didn't react at all, Helly cried even harder. I looked up at the two of them, my face completely expressionless. It took me a while to realize that… I had been reborn.

In my last life and right here in this courtroom, Joseph and Helly had twisted everything around and labeled me as ungrateful. Judgment had been rendered. My husband, who was also a doctor, had personally conducted the surgery and taken out my kidney while I was still alive in front of billions of viewers worldwide. The searing pain had swept through my body, dragging me into utter despair.

As I collapsed helplessly to the floor, I had crawled inch by inch to Joseph's feet using the last of my strength, crying and begging, "Joseph… Please save me… It… It hurts so much…"

The platform in the courtroom had been covered in my blood. It was a blinding scarlet. I didn't even have the strength to speak as my voice faded to the point I couldn't hear it anymore.

I don't remember what I said in the end. I just remembered it feeling so, so cold.

"Joseph… am I dying?"

All I had gotten in response was a cold scoff from Joseph. "You refused to donate a kidney to Helly, so this is what you get for returning hate for love. Besides, you have two kidneys, don't you? Why are you being so dramatic? Helly just had a transplant, and she is weak. I have to take her home now. Don't make a scene."

But I had only had one kidney left… If only, back then…

Just before I lost consciousness, I had seen the smug satisfaction in Helly's eyes.

"Let me tell you the truth, Quin. We have never had any deep bond between us. I've been with your husband for a long time. And not only that, Joseph and I are the ones who planned the car accident that almost took your life. Too bad you survived back then. But honestly, it doesn't matter now, because you're about to die anyway. Hahaha…"

Scenes from my previous life flashed through my mind, over and over again. Without realizing it, I clenched my fists, and a hint of hatred burned in my eyes.

Seeing that I hadn't responded for a long time, Joseph's brow furrowed. His face was full of anger as he questioned me, "Quin! I never thought you were such a heartless and ungrateful woman! Have you forgotten everything Helly has done for us? When you were in that car crash, if it hadn't been for Helly transfusing her blood to you, you would've died… Understand?!

"Anyone can refuse Helly's request, but not you! You owe her your life! Now that she needs a matching kidney, what's wrong with me asking you for one?"

In my past life, these words from Joseph had filled me with guilt. Helly really had saved me during that critical moment. Yet now, I couldn't repay her because of my own selfishness.

So, before the judge could even give me a chance to defend myself, I had immediately confessed to being "ungrateful".

But this time, I knew exactly what kind of person Joseph was.

I let out a bitter laugh and held my ground.