Chapter 3

Adele's POV 

“What?!” Nessa exclaimed, and I had to bit down on my lips to stop the smirk curling at the corners of my lips. “Adele, what do you think you're doing?” She sneered, and tried grabbing my phone, but I sidestepped just in time, and kept on relaying information to the donor organization. “Eric wouldn't want that!”

“Excuse me?” I arched a brow at her. “Who do you think you are to tell me what my husband wants, and doesn't?”

“I–ermm–,” she cleared her throat awkwardly, as she was drawing attention to herself. “Eric– Dr. Pearson wouldn't have wanted to donate his organs–”

“You don't know my husband more than I, Nessa. I suggest you stay out of this,” I said harshly without mincing words.

Nessa gulped, and took a step back slightly, but I could tell she had more to say but decided against it last minute.

But hey, having her run her mouth would be to my advantage because she might end up slipping up about their affair.

But what I had in store for them was more important than an affair scandal.

“My husband was a good man,” I broke into a sob. “He's always wanted to help, even till his last breath,” I sniffled, and someone passed me a tissue.

Nessa stood around awkwardly for a few minutes before slipping away, leaving a dead..no, soon to be dead, for real this time, Eric.

The moment I realized Nessa was out of sight, and earshot, I pulled out my phone again.

At the first ring the call was answered.

“Hello, is this the crematorium?” I asked, and they confirmed. “I’d like to book a cremation.”

I wasn't leaving any way out for Eric or Nessa to play me dirty. I'm sure she's planning something right now, and I've got to be at least a hundred steps ahead of her.

The universe enjoyed good timing, because a few moments after I ended the call, a man in scrubs stopped in front of me. He was sent by the donor's organization, his team was already here retrieving another patient's organs.

“Hello, are you the one who called for a donor donation?” 

“Yes,” I sniffled, still keeping my act in check. “My husband's over there,” I pointed at Eric.

Eric was taken back into the operating room, and while they made preparations to cut Eric open, I had to bite down on my lips to curb the excitement bubbling within me.

I'm supposed to be a grieving wife, not an excited golddigger who's sugar daddy is on their death bed; sadly Eric has got no gold.

“We're ready to proceed,” the representative told me. “Your husband's sacrifices won't be forgotten, and–”

“Stop!” Nessa stormed in alongside Clara, Eric's younger sister.

“What are you doing?!”Clara rushed over to Eric suddenly, pushing aside the representative. “He's not dead.”

I froze, not out of shock over the fact that she said Eric was alive, but because she knew.

They all knew, and I was the only one left in the dark.

Back in the past when her family chose to cast me aside she cried bitterly beside me and begged them not to, but It was just an act.

I stared at Clara in disbelief, tears burning at the back of my eyes at her betrayal. I've treated her like my sister, spent all my life savings supporting her dreams as an artist, and yet this is all I got in return.

“What do you mean not dead?” My voice was low, but sharp. “Are you saying that Eric is alive?”

Panic flashed through her face for a brief second, but she immediately schooled her expression.

I've got to give it to her though, she's good. No wonder she was able to fool me all those years.

“I know you're in denial, Clara,” I said calmly, but anyone with brains could tell I was anything but calm. “Eric is indeed dead. Here's his death certificate,” I handed it over to her. “Nessa signed it herself.”

“His body is still warm, Adele!” She cried dramatically, like I was the villain here. 

“Ma’am your brother's organs could–”

“I said no!” She snapped. “I'm his family. I won't let you carve him up like meat.”

From the look on the donor representative's face I knew this was a lost battle. But I didn't get a second chance at life, to get used by these people again.

“Let's give her a minute alone with her brother,” I told the representative.

He nodded in understanding and we both left.

A few minutes later when I returned, I had the same glass of water Nessa had offered me.

Clara and Nessa seemed to be having a serious conversation and by the time they saw me, Clara went back to her act-crying her eyes out, and even hyperventilating.

“Here, drink this,” I offered the glass of water to her. “You need to calm down, please.”

Clara didn't hesitate. She took it in on gulp.

“Don't drink that–!” Nessa screamed.

“Why? Is there something in it?” I asked innocently.

Nessa's lips parted, but no words came out and in no time, Clara passed.

“Oh no!” I gasped dramatically-two can play the game. “She must have passed out from grief,” I added. “Please Nessa, attend to her and make sure she's fine.”

Nessa hesitated for a moment and I knew what she was thinking.

“Don't worry, I won't take his organs anymore,” I assured her with the sweetest smile ever.

That put her at ease a bit, as she took an unconscious Clara out in a wheel chair.

The option of taking Eric's organs might be off the table, but that didn't mean he was off the hook entirely.

I still had a few cards up my sleeves, but first, I needed to make sure Eric doesn't wake up anytime soon.