Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Landon is living with one of my kidneys inside his body.

He just doesn't know it.

After I developed severe post-transplant complications, Dr. Mercer urged me to tell him the truth.

"Why hide it? He has everything now. Even if it's just to save your own life, you should tell him!"

"Dr. Mercer... his father died saving me," I whispered.

Landon's mother passed away when he was little, so his firefighter father raised him alone.

When I was fourteen, a massive fire engulfed my family's house. My parents shielded me with their bodies and perished instantly.

In that blazing inferno, Landon's father broke through the flames and carried me out to safety, but the roof collapsed before he could escape.

I owed the Bradley family a life.

So when my kidney matched Landon's five years ago, I signed the donor consent form without a single second of hesitation.

Landon is just like his father―loyal, protective, and deeply principled.

If he had known the donor was me, he would have chosen death over taking my organ.

So, I fabricated the cruellest lie I could think of to break his heart.

I told him I had met a wealthy older man who promised me a life of luxury.

"No... Maya, you're not like that," he had pleaded from his hospital bed.

"That is exactly who I am!"

I had turned my back to him, staring at a withered sunflower on the windowsill so he wouldn't see the tears streaming down my cheeks.

"I'm sick of your broken body, Landon. I'm sick of working three jobs and living in fear of your death notices. I'm done."

"We can break up, but how could you sell yourself for money?!"

"Because we worked like dogs just to get rich! Now I took a shortcut. You should be happy for me."

My voice had cracked, barely holding the lie together.

"Goodbye, Landon. Don't ever look for me again."

The screeching brakes of the city bus jolted me back to reality.

I climbed off and walked into my cramped, rented basement apartment.

It was freezing in the winter and sweltering in the summer, with an electrical panel so fragile that a single hot plate could blow the fuse.

Thankfully, my roommate was kind and always looked out for me because of my poor health.

"Maya? Is that... is that really you on the news?" Jenna asked softly as I stepped inside.

I offered her a self-deprecating smile.

"Yeah. Turns out I'm a notorious gold digger. You might want to stay away from me."

"What are you talking about?!" Jenna protested, grabbing my arm. "When my dad kicked me out, you took me in, fed me, and bought me warm clothes! You're the kindest person I know. There has to be a mistake!"

Looking at her fierce, protective eyes, my vision blurred with tears.

Ever since I left Landon, I rarely allowed myself to cry. Surviving with a failing body took every drop of energy I had.

Before I could say anything, my phone buzzed with an incoming call.

It was the manager of the convenience store where I stocked shelves. Because my face was all over social media, they were letting me go immediately.

Having lost my only source of income, I sank into a plastic chair and closed my eyes, feeling the darkness slowly swallow me whole.

"Don't worry, Maya," Jenna said, squeezing my cold hand. "The owner at the bistro where I work is amazing. I'll ask her to hire you!"

"Okay. Thank you, Jenna."

I turned my head toward the small window, watching the clear blue sky outside.

The weather was beautiful today.