All Chapters of Left to Die So Her First Love Lives: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

The other end of the phone fell silent. After a while, Astrid Garrett drew a deep breath. Her voice was taut with emotion, as though she were desperately trying to hold something back. "Are you sure?"I closed my eyes. "Yes," I said quietly. "Of course, I am." Nicole Sterling had just signed the consent form authorizing the amputation of my leg. At the time, she had been standing beside the doctor, her white coat still stained with Conrad's blood.She still looked as cold and composed as ever, as though the man about to lose his leg weren't her husband, but simply another patient she was responsible for. …Five years ago, I had turned my back on the entire Garrett family for Nicole. Back then, she was nothing more than an insignificant resident at a small affiliated hospital, while I was the sole heir to Garrett Group. That year, her mother fell gravely ill and was left with an enormous mountain of medical debt. Without telling my family, I sold the first house I h

The doors to the operating room swung open, and I paused outside for one final check. The doctor looked at me, clearly hesitant. "Mr. Garrett, the anesthesiologist is ready. But…""But what?""Your blood tests show that the venom has caused severe coagulopathy and impaired kidney function. The surgery carries a high risk, and you'll need dialysis for some time afterward."If we can't get the infection under control, you may also need a second procedure to remove the infected tissue."I nodded calmly. "I understand."The doctor looked surprised. "Are you sure you don't want to wait for your family?""No," I said, signing my name on the surgical consent form. "I'm not waiting."As the nurse wheeled me farther down the hall, the doors to the operating room slowly closed behind me. Just before the anesthesia took effect, I faintly heard my phone vibrate. The nurse picked it up for me. It was a message from Astrid."The helicopter has taken off. It should be there in about

The door burst open, and my sister, Astrid Garrett, strode in wearing a black trench coat, followed closely by several lawyers and assistants.Her expression was dark as she came straight to my bedside. The moment she saw my missing right leg, all the anger she'd been holding back finally erupted. "Andre…"Her voice was soft, as though she were afraid even the slightest sound might shatter something. "Astrid, you came," I said, smiling at her. "I'm sorry."As soon as those words left my mouth, Astrid's eyes turned red. She bent down and wrapped her arms around me, carefully avoiding the tubes attached to my body. "What are you apologizing to me for?" she choked. "We should've looked after you better back then. If we had, you never would've let this woman fool you.""It was my choice."I leaned against her, breathing in the familiar scent of cedar. For the first time in five years, the tension I'd been carrying inside me finally began to ease. Nicole stood at the side

As I grew lost in thought, the door suddenly opened. Conrad walked in on crutches. He was dressed in loose white clothes, his face pale. Around his wrist was a bracelet Nicole had given him. "Mr. Garrett." He lingered in the doorway for a moment before speaking. "Can I talk to you?""No," Astrid replied bluntly. Conrad stiffened. "Ms. Garrett, I just wanted to apologize to Andre.""Who do you think you are to act like you're close to him?" Astrid cut him off. "Get out."Conrad clenched his jaw, his expression turning ashen. "I know you hate me because of the antivenom, but I swear I never thought things would turn out this way."Nicole told me you were strong and healthy, and that you'd be able to hold on until the rescue team arrived. If I'd known you were going to lose your leg, I never would have…""Never would have what?" I asked, looking at him. "Taken the antivenom?"Conrad froze. "I didn't take it from you," he argued. "Nicole made the decision to give it to me

Just then, sirens sounded outside the hospital room. Several police officers walked in. "Mr. Hayes, we've received a report alleging that you deliberately tampered with emergency communication equipment, falsified medical information, and intentionally caused harm."We need you to come with us."The color drained from Conrad's face. He turned to Nicole, as though she were the last person who could save him. "Nicole, please," he begged. "You have to help me. You said you'd protect me no matter what happened."But Nicole stood where she was, unmoving. "Conrad, stop lying to me," she finally said after a long silence. As the police led Conrad away, he passed my bedside. He suddenly stopped, lowered his voice, and let out a quiet chuckle. "Andre, you think you've won just because you're getting a divorce?" he taunted. "Nicole still loves me more than anyone. Even if I go to prison, she'll never forget me.""Then I hope the two of you will always love each other," I replie