Chapter 1

It was my girlfriend's birthday.

I went to the hospital where she worked, carrying a gift. I hid behind a curtain, hoping to surprise her.

Instead, I heard her first love, Lysander St. Claire, ask a chilling question. "How do you plan to take Elias Sterling's eyes?"

Victoria Ashford replied coldly. "I will stage an accident in three days. As the attending physician, I can naturally transfer his eyes to you."

My heart skipped a beat. I remembered her confession to me.

It happened right after Lysander injured his eyes while supposedly saving her.

She showered me with affection and praised my beautiful eyes. It was all a lie to steal them.

But she didn't know the truth. I was the one who actually saved her that day.

1

"I know this is unfair to Elias, but I really want to see you again," Lysander said, his voice trembling with a hint of sorrow.

"I was only good to him because of those eyes," Victoria coaxed him gently. "I can always give him more compensation money later."

A sharp pain stabbed my chest.

Through the gap in the curtain, I saw Victoria stand on her tiptoes to kiss him.

Lysander's ears turned red as he kissed her back.

I stood frozen behind the curtain. My blood ran cold, and I felt like I was falling into an abyss.

Tears hit the gift box in my hands. The Rolex she wanted had cost me a whole year's salary.

Looking at it now, it felt like a cruel joke.

"Let me take you back," Victoria said, smoothing his hair.

"Are you in a rush to get rid of me? Are you afraid Elias will find me here?" Lysander teased.

Victoria paused. "I'm just worried about your health. I want you to rest."

"Fine," Lysander hummed and turned around.

Victoria quickly took his hand as they walked out together.

The office fell silent again.

I fought back the agonizing pain in my heart and walked toward the Chief of Nursing's office.

"Chief, I want to apply for a two-year academic exchange program at an out-of-state hospital."

The Chief looked surprised. "Didn't Dr. Ashford refuse to let you go before? Did you change your mind?"

"This is my life. She doesn't get to make decisions for me anymore."

"If you've made up your mind, then cherish this chance," the Chief nodded.

I thanked him and left.

When I got home after work, I started packing my clothes.

The doorbell rang aggressively.

I opened the door to find Victoria standing there with a frown. Her voice sounded panicked. "Why did you apply for that exchange program?"

"It's a rare opportunity. I want to improve my career," I said calmly.

Victoria was stunned.

"Elias, did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me?"

Her sudden display of concern made me daze for a moment.

In the past, she was always so sweet. I never thought about leaving her to pursue my own goals.

But now I knew her care was just a way to groom me into an organ donor for her obsession.

I curled my lips into a cold smile. "I'm just tired of revolving my whole life around you."

Victoria's brow furrowed. "I know I've been busy lately. I'll make it up to you. Don't be childish, okay?"

"Didn't you say you had a surprise for your birthday?"

Her eyes landed on the gift box on the table. She walked inside and opened it.

When she saw the watch, her eyes lit up. "Elias! You remembered I wanted this!"

"You listened to my casual remarks. It proves how much you love me. You were just talking out of anger, right?"

I snatched the watch back from her hands. My gaze was icy.

"This isn't for you."

She looked shocked. "Elias, are you joking with me?"

"I'm tired. Let's break up," I said coldly.

Victoria froze. "Why? What did I do that makes you want to end things?"

"You and..."

Before I could finish, her phone rang.

She glanced at the screen and her expression changed instantly. She hurried to the side to answer it.

I watched her with a cold gaze. Her face grew serious.

"I have an emergency," she said after hanging up. "Wait for me to come back."