ManyWriters

It was common knowledge that Lucas Ryan had wed me solely out of resentment, unable to be with the woman he truly adored.
Throughout our five-year union, he played the role of the ideal spouse in public—a celebrated heart specialist admired by many. However, within the confines of our home, he was aloof and detached, frequently requesting a divorce.
Then Evelyn Snow, his first love, came back to the country due to health issues. Lucas dedicated himself to her care, rarely leaving her side. He even cautioned me repeatedly: "Eve's heart condition is fragile. If you dare appear and cause her stress, our marriage is over for good."
At last, during his hundredth plea for a divorce, I conceded.
What Lucas was unaware of, though, was that I was already expecting his child.
En route to the courthouse to complete the divorce proceedings, I was involved in a vehicular collision. My life and that of my unborn baby were extinguished in a moment.
Lucas didn't receive the divorce papers that day, but he did get word that Evelyn had found an ideal heart donor match.
Elated, he hurried back to the medical center and conducted the operation himself, extracting the heart from my lifeless form and implanting it into hers.
It wasn't until afterwards that he recalled our divorce—but by then, my phone would never ring again.

The Heart He Stole Twice

Lucas Ryan returned to the hospital in less than half an hour.


He rushed down the corridor, panting, and embraced Evelyn Snow. His voice brimming with happiness and relief, he exclaimed, 'Evelyn, you're going to be alright at last.'


Evelyn's eyes became misty, and she nestled against his chest, her voice quavering as she murmured, 'Lucas, without you, I wouldn't even desire this heart... I'd be ready to give up.'


Lucas held her tighter, softly kissing her forehead. His voice was filled with an unshakeable vow: 'Don't fret. I'll end my marriage with Claire soon.'


'I only wed her because I was cross with you.'


Although this seemed to be common knowledge, hearing it from Lucas himself still sent a pang through my heart.


This was the depth of his affection for Evelyn Snow.


Even after five years, I had failed to thaw the ice encasing his heart.


The pain in my chest intensified as Lucas reassured Evelyn, instructing her to prepare for the operation. He then entered the surgery room with Mason to get ready.


For Lucas, performing a heart transplant was a mere routine. It was a procedure he could carry out blindfolded.


However, when he saw the blood-covered body on the operating table, he couldn't help but grimace.


'Mason, why wasn't this cleaned before being brought in?' he inquired sharply.


Mason hesitated, avoiding Lucas's gaze nervously. He stuttered, 'Dr. Ryan, Evelyn's match is incredibly rare... And, well... preserving the heart's freshness was the main concern.'


Lucas didn't immediately respond. Instead, he took the scalpel from Mason and prepared to begin.


But just as he was about to make the first cut, he paused.


I followed his gaze and realized he was fixated on my left hand.


There, on my ring finger, was the diamond wedding band I had created myself. The blood covering it only made it more conspicuous.


I had even crafted a matching ring for Lucas for our wedding, but he had despised it. On our wedding day, he had locked it away in a drawer, never to wear it again.


'What's the matter, Dr. Ryan?' Mason asked, puzzled by his hesitation.


Lucas shook his head but spoke with a hint of remorse in his voice.


'She was unfortunate. Her spouse must be heartbroken.'


As he said this, he made the incision, opening my chest.


Mason stood beside him, handing him instruments as needed. At one point, he added, 'And... after conducting the tests, we discovered she was two months pregnant.'


This time, Lucas remained silent. The atmosphere in the room grew more somber, as if an invisible burden was weighing everyone down.


I observed him from afar, memories rushing back.


Last winter, I fell severely ill. My temperature was so high I couldn't even leave my bed. Lucas was home that night, but he barely noticed. He was too engrossed in writing a paper for a medical journal.


I spent the entire night alternating between chills and fever, too weak to call for help. When I was finally rushed to the hospital, the doctors said I had barely escaped death.


When I finally regained consciousness, Lucas's first action was to reprimand me.


'You're a grown-up. If you're feeling this awful, why didn't you speak up?!!' His eyes were icy, filled with fury. 'Or was this your method of seeking my attention?'


I wanted to remind him that he had always instructed me not to disturb him, even when I was ill. I had been nothing but compliant, so why was he still furious?


Now, standing in this operating room, I couldn't help but wonder: How could Lucas show empathy for a stranger but be so cruel towards me, the woman who had stood by him for five years?


Chapter 2