chapter 2

"Amelia, Jasper is already in critical condition! And you're still in the mood to watch some guy dance?

"Your kidneys are a match—why won't you save him?"

I ignored her, my eyes still glued to the screen.

Then, out of nowhere, she slapped the phone from my hands. It hit the ground with a thud, and the screen went black.

I missed the best part, where the streamer danced while blowing kisses.

I was instantly annoyed.

"Sophie, what the hell is wrong with you?"

Ivana walked over and told Sophie I couldn't donate because I was pregnant.

However, Sophie pulled out my medical report and handed it to Ivana. "Pregnant? Amelia was never pregnant to begin with.

"She's perfectly healthy to donate a kidney."

Ivana stared at the report, then smacked her thigh and broke into sobs, wailing at me.

"Amelia Todd, how could you! You faked a report just so you wouldn't have to save your husband!

"I'm begging you, how can you be so cruel? He's suffering and dying in there! Jasper has done so much for you, and this is how you repay him?"

I replied flatly, "I'm not donating no matter what."

"Amelia, if you agree to the surgery, I'll replace your phone. I'll even give you all of our savings and assets!"

Morgan sat down beside me, eyes filled with hope.

"Would that be enough?" He asked cautiously.

I glanced at the pitiful Morgan and pondered silently.

He had worked his whole life and had achieved financial freedom years ago.

All his savings combined were worth tens of millions.

Trading one kidney for that didn't seem like such a bad deal.

I looked at him and softened my tone. "Alright, I can donate. But—"

I deliberately drew it out.

The moment I finally agreed, Morgan was overwhelmed with joyful tears, waiting eagerly for my next words.

"But we'll have to sign a contract first. Otherwise, what if you go back on your word after the surgery? It's not like I can take the kidney back."

At that, gasps erupted around us.

Morgan looked at me in disbelief.

Even the bystanders couldn't take it anymore.

A woman shouted at me, "Young lady, he's your father-in-law! You're family! How can you be thinking about that at a time like this?

Others chimed in, full of disapproval.

"Right! She's heartless. She could save her husband, but she chooses to watch him die!"

"What a shameless, cold-blooded woman. Even strangers are willing to donate. That man is her husband, for God's sake!"

I crossed one leg over the other calmly.

I let them point and scold me however they wanted.

"No contract, no donation," I said firmly.

At that moment, a nurse hurriedly stepped out from the emergency room. Her gloves were covered in blood, and there were smudges on her face as well.

She looked frightened, her voice quivering.

"The patient just went into cardiac arrest but was revived. He asked me to pass along a message to his parents.

"He said, ‘Mom and Dad, please don't make things hard for Amelia. I know she must have her reasons. I trust her.'"

I was silent for a moment before speaking calmly, "See? He said not to trouble me."

Hearing that Jasper had just been resuscitated, along with my words, Ivana almost fainted on the spot as she clutched her chest in distress.

Morgan supported Ivana and started begging.

The elderly pair, overwhelmed with grief, struggled to stay upright.

Morgan grabbed my hand as he looked at me with tears streaming down his face.

"Amelia, I've never demanded anything from you, but this is a matter of life and death. I'll give you whatever you want—just save my son!

"Please?"

Morgan said through clenched teeth.

Then both of them looked at me desperately.

A flicker of hesitation stirred inside me.

My mother died when I was young, and my father, Fabian Todd, threw himself entirely into work, leaving me neglected.

I had never known the warmth of a loving family.

Ever since I got together with Jasper, he had introduced me to his parents early on.

Morgan and Ivana weren't the strict and cold parents I had imagined.

They treated me with genuine warmth, almost like I was their own daughter, sometimes even better than they treated Jasper.

I never celebrated birthdays with my parents.

But ever since I joined the Colemans, every birthday had been warm and joyful.

They would plan surprises with Jasper.

Morgan decorated the house in advance, Ivana baked cakes and cooked for me, and Jasper would buy gifts ahead of time for me.

I never wanted children because of my troubled childhood.

So, when relatives pressured me to have children, Morgan and Ivana would sternly tell them, "Amelia has the freedom to choose. If she wants children, we'll help raise them. If not, that's fine too—we will love her like family regardless."

In that moment, all my bitterness faded, and I couldn't hold back my tears of gratitude.

I vowed to cherish and repay their love.

But now—

The elderly couple had wept until their eyes were red and swollen, begging me over and over.

I clenched my fists and looked away, saying nothing.

Seeing the exhausted pair, Sophie hurried over to support them.

She whispered soothing words to Morgan and Ivana.

"Morgan, Ivana, don't worry. There must be a way to save Jasper."

Ivana sobbed, "Sophie, my heart aches for Jasper. He's still suffering in there ... "

Sophie glanced at me coldly.

"I've seen how well you usually treat Amelia. I never expected her to be so heartless at times like this. How could she leave Jasper to die?

"I will save Jasper no matter what.

"If all else fails, I'm willing to undergo a compatibility test to see if I can help."

I suddenly looked up at her sharply.

Morgan and Ivana kept thanking Sophie.

The bystanders around us who were worried for Jasper were deeply moved by Sophie's kindness.

"Dr. Lynch is honestly such a good person."

"I heard she's the patient's childhood friend, and they've known each other forever."

"That guy must be blind. His wife doesn't even come close to Dr. Lynch."

Compared to them, I looked selfish and heartless.