Chapter 7

Seth's face paled in an instant. Without a word, he dashed out of the villa.

By the time Bella arrived at the hospital, the doctor had just stepped out of the emergency room. He looked at Seth, his expression grave.

"The patient's condition is critical. The kidney transplant has been moved up—surgery will begin in thirty minutes. Can you reach the donor? See if they're available now?"

Before Seth could respond, Bella's voice rose behind him, "I'm available, doctor. I'm ready."

Bella stepped forward, clutching the side of her face where she'd been struck. There was no lingering attachment left in her heart. All she wanted now was to get away from Seth. From the Rogen family. To sever everything, completely.

Seth's expression shifted, just barely, before he finally said, "Thank you."

Bella didn't reply. She simply opened her phone and rescheduled her flight for that afternoon.

Thirty minutes later, she lay on the operating table. There was no fear in her—only a quiet sense of release. Relief.

Just as she settled into place, a nurse burst into the room, flustered. "We're out of anesthesia. There's only enough for one patient."

The doctor took off his gloves and stepped outside to speak with Seth. Through the open door, Bella heard his voice. "Faye is too frail. She needs the anesthesia."

…

After a pause, the doctor returned, his gaze filled with sympathy.

"Bella, you'll have to undergo the operation without anesthetic. If you don't think you can bear it, we can cancel now."

"No need," she said. "I can handle it."

It was the answer she'd expected, yet still, it chilled her to the bone.

Her dear uncle. Her only family. And yet, as always, he chose Faye over her, even though she had never once hurt anyone.

The doctor said no more. He stayed by her side, offering quiet comfort as the procedure began.

The pain was unimaginable.

Without anesthesia, the sensation tore through her like glass under the skin—deep and cold and merciless. Her veins bulged, her forehead drenched in sweat. Though she gritted her teeth, the scream still tore from her throat.

By the time the transplant was complete, Bella had long since passed out.

When she woke again, the room was empty. A nurse came in to change her dressing and gave her a concerned look.

"You're awake, Bella. That uncle of yours... he's really something. Let his girlfriend get the anesthesia, and made you go through it like that."

Bella didn't reply. She offered a pale smile. Once the nurse left, she checked the time on her phone.

Two hours.

That was just enough to get her things and make it to the airport.

She let out a breath and tried to get up—but pain, sharp and tearing, hit her like a wave. It was the kind of agony that lived in the marrow, the kind that pulled screams from the soul. Every heartbeat felt like a knife's stabbing.

But still, the thought of leaving Seth pushed her forward. She gritted her teeth, braced herself against the bed, and stood.

She changed, slowly, into her own clothes. She picked up the letter she'd carried with her for so long—the formal statement to sever all ties—and began her slow walk toward Faye's room.

Inside, Seth sat beside Faye, watching her sleep. He didn't notice Bella until she stood before him, the letter held out in silence.

Only then did he look up. When he saw what she was handing him, his face darkened.

"What is this supposed to mean?" he asked quietly. "You really want to cut ties with me? I've told you before, there's no future between us. Why are you still holding onto this?"

Bella was trembling, sweat forming at her brow. But she looked him in the eye.

"This is what you promised me."

His gaze lingered on her pale, exhausted face. A flicker of irritation passed through him. Then, after a beat, he took the paper and pen, and signed his name.

She finally allowed herself to exhale. Holding the signed paper close, she turned to leave—limping with every step.

Seth frowned.

"You just had surgery. You're still weak. Why aren't you resting in your hospital gown? Why change clothes? Where are you going?"

Her throat was dry. Her thin frame looked as if a breeze could knock her down.

"The hospital feels suffocating," she said. "I'm going for a walk."

He watched her go, and for once, there was a hint of concern in his voice.

"The wind's strong today. Don't stay out too long."

Bella gave a soft, vague reply. But in her heart, she whispered, 'Seth, I'm not coming back.'

She retrieved her suitcase and boarded the flight to Caledon.

As the plane lifted off, sunlight poured over her frail silhouette. She turned her head, taking one last long look at the city.

"Goodbye," she murmured. "Goodbye to the place I lived for twelve years. Goodbye, Seth."