The Man Who Gave His Kidney Away

The ache in my chest ebbed like the tide. I lifted my head, staring at Nina."I can go… but Nina, if I die out there, you'll be the one who drove me to this."My voice was quiet, yet it hit Nina like a slap. She froze, stunned, her words catching in her throat. After a long pause, she finally forced out a few ragged, broken sentences."You… what are you pretending for? It's just a kidney donation! My family took you in for three years! Didn't you hear? The commander's sending someone tomorrow. Go pick up more pastries! If you can't even handle something this small, I've wasted my care on you."She opened her mouth to argue further, but I couldn't take it. I turned, my body burning, and headed downstairs.Before we were married, whenever I got sick, Nina had cared for me without rest, day and night. One night, I'd muttered in my sleep that I wanted a cup of spiked hot cocoa. She'd walked six miles to the all-night convenience store to get it.Back then, our apartment had been just

I found a cheap motel and made do for the night.The next morning, there was a knock at the door.Two female soldiers stood in the hallway, their posture straight, their bearing cold and disciplined. One of them raised her hand in a formal salute, her tone respectful."Are you Caleb Barnes? Commander Jennings instructed us to tell you to meet her at ten o'clock this morning in front of the City Hall."I let out a long breath. Finally, the weight on my chest eased.Nina and I had agreed to file for divorce at eight. I waited at the entrance.Soon, I saw her arrive arm in arm with Theo, strolling in unhurriedly.They were dressed in bright, flashy colors, as if they were about to walk down the aisle the next second.Nina had been worried I might cause trouble, but when she saw how cooperative I was, she finally relaxed.Suddenly, a factory worker suddenly rushed in and whispered urgently into Nina's ear.Her face changed instantly. Her gaze turned sharp as a blade and stabbed s

Throughout the three years Nina and I were married, her mother never let me forget that I hadn't given her a grandchild.But Nina adamantly refused to let me touch her. How could I possibly get her pregnant?Later, Nina's father developed kidney failure and, as a result, required a kidney transplant. When the kidney match came back positive, the Dawson family showed up at my door on their knees, begging me to donate a kidney to save him, who was literally at death's door.I didn't hesitate. I gave him one of my kidney, and it cost me a long time to recover.And what did I get in return?Nina got pregnant with Theo's child—while I was still lying alone in that hospital bed.Back then, the whole family had sworn up and down that they'd spend the rest of their lives repaying me.Now, after I gave up a kidney, here's what I got instead: my wife carrying another man's child, her mother calling me a freeloader and shoving a divorce agreement in my face, demanding I leave with nothing.

Nina was being dragged across the ground, her face burning red with rage as they hauled her away.Then, out of nowhere, she found some burst of strength and wrenched herself free. Teeth clenched, she lunged straight at me."Caleb! I hope you die in agony!"Before anyone could stop her, she was already in my face. Her voice went shrill as she raised both hands to shove me with everything she had—Suddenly, my abdomen seized up violently. My vision went black.Blood poured from my mouth in thick streams.Before her hands even touched me, my body went rigid and I collapsed backward.Right before I blacked out, I saw panic flash across Nina's face. She stood frozen in front of me, mouth open like she was screaming my name."Caleb!""Caleb!"By the time she yelled it the second time, I'd already hit the ground and slipped into darkness.When I came to, the steady beeping of machines filled my ears.I opened my eyes to the dim glow of an old hospital light overhead.A sharp, twi