Chapter 3

3

While Toby remained in the intensive care unit, Audrey never left the hallway outside.

I stayed beside her the entire time, watching her run around frantically to arrange everything for him.

A bitter envy bloomed inside my chest.

He didn't have to do anything to earn her unconditional love.

Audrey had drained all her savings just to treat his condition, though finding a compatible donor had seemed impossible.

If Audrey knew the kidney inside him belonged to me, would she ever smile at me again?

A floor nurse ran up to her in a panic. "Dr. Mercer, you have a scheduled surgery tonight. The patient's family is already waiting in the pre-op area..."

Audrey waved her hand dismissively. "Cancel it. I have to stay right here until Toby wakes up."

The nurse gasped, stunned by her unprofessional response.

I stared at Audrey in disbelief as well.

How could she do this?

Audrey used to say her greatest dream was saving lives and helping people heal.

Yet now, she casually threw away a critical surgery for Toby.

Those people had waited months for this life-saving chance.

Was she really going to discard them with a single sentence?

I paced around anxiously, wanting to find Dr. Harrison to talk some sense into her, only to remember a second later.

I was already dead.

Hearing that Audrey intended to cancel the procedure, Dr. Harrison stormed down the hallway with a furious expression.

"Audrey Mercer! That patient has waited nearly half a year for you! You cancel just like that? Have you considered their family at all?"

"Toby is about to wake up, and I must be here to monitor him for acute rejection," Audrey replied, keeping her eyes glued to the glass window.

"Besides, aren't there other surgeons on our floor? They can handle it just fine. It doesn't have to be me."

Dr. Harrison's face turned crimson with suppressed rage.

"Audrey! This is not a game! A human life is on the line!"

"If I can't be sure Toby's surgery was a success, I won't have the focus to operate on anyone else anyway," Audrey snapped defensively.

Dr. Harrison took two deep breaths to steady himself. "Fine, Audrey! Just fine!"

He turned to leave, but suddenly stopped and threw an admission chart onto her lap.

"I saw Lance's name on the oncology intake list. What on earth happened to him?"

Audrey glanced at the chart with sheer disgust before tossing it aside. "What else could it be besides another pathetic act?"

"Ever since our parents died, when has he ever been truly sick? His teacher calls me constantly claiming he passed out or threw up, but the clinic always says it's just low blood sugar or mild stomach irritation."

She let out a mocking laugh. "Does he think pulling stunts like this will make me visit him? He can dream on!"

Dr. Harrison suppressed his fury and pointed at the paper. "Look closely! That is an oncology admission form!"

Hearing my name repeatedly throughout the day had drained every ounce of Audrey's patience.

"Are you trying to tell me Lance has stomach cancer? That is obviously a desperate cry for attention! Can't you see through his lies?"

Audrey crossed her arms coldly. "I have no idea what kind of spell he put on you to make you defend him like this."

Dr. Harrison's jaw tightened into a rigid line before he nodded in utter disappointment.

"Fine! Keep blinding yourself, Audrey!"

With those parting words, Dr. Harrison walked away without looking back.

I stood behind Audrey, lowering my eyes in silence.

Perhaps the pain had gone on for too long, because my phantom heart felt entirely numb.