chapter 3

The compatibility test results came back—Sophie was a compatible donor.

Dressed in hospital pajamas, she lay on the gurney as it was wheeled toward the emergency room.

Seeing this, I finally relaxed a little.

"Good luck. I'll take my leave."

My tone was light, but Sophie shot me a sharp glare.

The emergency room doors closed behind her, and she disappeared from my sight.

My eyes stung, and I had a headache. When I stood up, dizziness hit me, and my throat felt dry and sore.

Since Jasper was diagnosed with uremia, I'd accompanied him to every dialysis session.

Especially this time, when he suddenly collapsed in critical condition, I had stayed awake by his side for four or five hours straight.

The doctor told me to rest more.

My stomach ached faintly, and before I could say anything, everything went black.

When I woke up, it was already the afternoon of the next day.

"You're awake," the nurse said during a routine check.

"What happened to me?"

"You collapsed due to exhaustion, so we brought you here to rest."

Still dazed, I gathered my thoughts.

I got up and asked around. Then, I learned that Jasper's surgery had been successful.

My heart sank, unsure whether to feel happy or disappointed.

I walked to Sophie's ward, and through the window in the door, I saw Morgan and Ivana holding her hands while smiling brightly.

My father, Fabian, was standing nearby.

He was the hospital's vice president.

He approached Ivana and kindly comforted Sophie, who was still lying down.

"Dr. Lynch, thank you for your kindness. You saved a life."

Fabian held Sophie's hand solemnly.

"Yes, thank you so much, Sophie. If it weren't for you—"

Ivana choked back her tears and wiped her eyes.

Then Fabian took a certificate from the nurse behind him and handed it to Sophie as a small token of appreciation for her selfless act.

A photographer quickly snapped a group photo of Sophie with Morgan and Ivana.

Sophie remained silent as tears streamed down her face.

"Thank you. I would've done the same no matter who the patient was—especially if it was Jasper."

Other patients and their families in nearby beds admired Sophie's generosity and applauded.

When I pushed open the ward door and stepped inside, the applause died down, and everyone turned to look at me.

Sophie's smile faded. "Amelia? Are you here for Jasper? He's not here ... "

Morgan and Ivana's smiles vanished instantly, replaced by looks of disgust.

Ivana sneered, "Aren't you pregnant? Shouldn't you be off somewhere resting?"

Fabian turned to me, his chest heaving with anger.

"How did I raise a daughter like you, who wouldn't even save her own husband?" He scolded.

Other patients and family members nearby all looked at me.

"I've heard about this woman who won't save her husband."

"Yeah, her in-laws are practically throwing their wealth at her, but she still refuses."

"Thank goodness for the patient who matches."

"What a cruel person."

One patient's family member couldn't stand it anymore.

Disgusted, she spat a half-chewed apple onto me and said with a sideways glance, "Disgusting! Shameless woman!"

Apple pulp mixed with saliva slid down my face, and others began throwing fruits at me as well.

"Why is someone like her even alive? She stood by and let her husband die!"

"Shameless! And pregnant, no less. How could someone vicious like her raise kind children?"

"Scum!"

"Ugh—"

"Don't know how a kind-hearted father could have such a cold-blooded daughter. What a curse!"

...

"So, I'm the villain now, huh?"

I smiled.

Sophie looked so fragile, as if a gust of wind might blow her away.

She whispered with tears in her eyes, "Amelia, Jasper loved you so much, yet you're so cruel to him ... You still only care about yourself."

Her sobs echoed painfully.

"Back then, I thought I could be with Jasper, but then you appeared ...

"It's fine for me. I'll just quietly watch you both be happy. As long as Jasper's happy, that's enough for me. But now—"

She raised her trembling voice, making everyone's heart ache.

"You're mistreating him! If it were you who needed a kidney now, Jasper wouldn't hesitate to give you one!

"Don't tell me those ten years meant nothing to you!"

The ward erupted in murmurs, and more spectators had gathered outside.

They pointed at me and whispered.

"She's shameless! Sounds like the wife is the mistress."

"She stole him, huh?"

"The patient is really devoted. Tsk tsk."

I heard Sophie's words and the murmurs all around.

Heh.

I couldn't help but sneer.

Seeing my stubbornness, Fabian strode toward me and slapped me.

I clutched the numb side of my face, and I felt a trickle of blood at the corner of my mouth.

Sophie stopped Fabian. "Please don't hit her. Today should be a good day—don't let this ruin the mood."

Ivana nodded in agreement.

As the ward's tension gradually eased, I burst out laughing.

Then I stared coldly at Sophie and said slowly, "Impressive."

I couldn't help but applaud her.

Sophie's face stiffened, and Ivana beside her frowned impatiently, shouting at me, "Amelia, can't you read the room? This isn't the place to cause a scene."

I glanced around and nodded approvingly. "But this is a nice place for a nice occasion."

"What do you mean?"

I smiled and said in a flat voice, "I'm here today to thank Sophie for saving my husband." I paused and added slowly, "Here's a little gift for you."