The Kidney That Never Came

When the hospital said Stella's kidney went to someone else, everything shattered.

She'd been hanging on for six brutal months—her only shot at staying alive.

I clutched the doctor's sleeve. "Please, you have to help me. My daughter's dying. My wife runs this hospital. Just help us."

Stella had been stuck in that hospital bed for six months. Kylie barely showed up. Said being director meant she couldn't visit too often—people might start talking.

Every night, Stella cried in pain, whispering how much she wanted Mom. I swallowed it down and never called. Kylie was busy. I figured if I could just hold on, I wouldn't have to drag her into it.

But this was different. That kidney was Stella's lifeline.

So I dropped Kylie's name. I had no choice.

The doctor froze. His eyes blew wide.

Then he muttered, "I'm sorry, Mr. Abel. Dr. Thornton personally reassigned the kidney. She said her friend's son needed it more urgently. Maybe... try calling her?"

His words hit like a bullet to the skull.

I just stood there, numb, and called Kylie.

It rang forever before she finally picked up, already irritated. "Didn't I say not to call me during work?"

My voice shook. I didn't want to believe it. Couldn't. Not Kylie.

"Kylie... the doctor said Stella's kidney was given to someone else. That's not true, right?"

Then came the gut punch.

"It's true. Caleb's son needed it. I gave it to him."

Caleb Reaver.

Everything inside me just—stopped.

"What the hell are you even saying? That kidney was for Stella. We waited six months. How could you just give it away without even telling me?"

In ten years of marriage, I'd never raised my voice at her. I'd always been the quiet one—the one who kept the peace.

So when I finally snapped, she lost it. "I'm the director of this hospital. I don't need your permission to assign a kidney.

"Evan was in bad shape. I helped him—what's wrong with that?

"Your daughter's a kid, so is someone else's son. Why are you being so damn selfish?!"

My fists clenched. I screamed so hard my throat burned. "Kylie Thornton! Do you even know what Stella's been going through? She's in agony every day! And you—her own mother—just gave away her lifeline.

"Do you actually want her to die?!"

"That little drama queen's not my daughter. It's just a minor illness. She'll live. She's just like you—always playing the victim. Evan's surgery's done. Quit dreaming. If she dies, then let her."

Click.

She hung up.

The kidney was gone. Evan had it. Stella never would.

That truth caved in my chest. I dropped to the floor and broke.