Chapter 1

My little brother was in the end stages of kidney failure and urgently needed a transplant.

I spent all the inheritance our parents left us to finally find a donor kidney.

But my fiancé stole it to save his "pure love" instead.

In my moment of despair, my childhood sweetheart Damien returned from overseas. He was a match and volunteered to donate his kidney to my brother.

Sadly, the surgery was unsuccessful. My brother's life ended at just eighteen years old.

To repay Damien for his kindness, I broke off my engagement and married him instead, vowing to take care of him for life.

But seven years later, I accidentally overheard a conversation between my ex-fiancé and Damien.

"Damien, you have to give me this project, or else... Tell me, how do you think Scarlett would react if she found out the man she's been devotedly caring for all these years as her savior actually caused her brother's death? Would she kill you, or herself?"

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My steps faltered as I was coming downstairs. "!"

The glass shattering was accompanied by Damien's voice, barely containing his fury.

"Are you threatening me? If what happened back then comes to light, do you think you'll come out unscathed?"

The man sitting across from him seemed unconcerned:

"But this was all your idea. Besides, I had already sent people to deliver the kidney to Scarlett's brother. You think I don't know that the bandits who hijacked the organ donation en route were your men?"

"Damien, a murderer has no right to negotiate with me. I want to see your signature on that contract by Monday."

Damien gripped the glass shard tightly in his hand.

"I can give you anything you want, but if you dare to make Aria shed a single tear, I'll come after you even if it costs me my life."

My ex-fiancée's mocking voice came from the main entrance,

"My, aren't you the devoted lover, Damien."

I nearly lost my balance, leaning weakly against the railing.

Damien suddenly looked up and saw me, a flicker of guilt passing through his startled eyes.

He quickly came to my side, carefully supporting me as if genuinely concerned for my well-being.

"Scarlett, what's wrong? You don't look well. Are you too tired? I've told you, you don't need to make me nourishing soups every day. After all these years, my health has greatly improved thanks to your care."

I forced a smile, but he couldn't see the despair hidden within it.

Years ago, when he returned to the country and rushed to the hospital for tissue typing, voluntarily donating a kidney to my brother, I was genuinely grateful to him.

But now I know that it was all a deception. He never donated his kidney at all.

The reason my brother didn't survive was because he had intercepted the kidney sent by my former fiancé.

Kept in the dark, I've spent the last seven years treating him as my savior, marrying him out of gratitude for saving my brother's life.

For these seven years, I gave up my own career, willingly taking care of him, finding ways every day to improve his health.

Little did I know that the person I've been nurturing so carefully was actually the one responsible for my brother's death.

How absurd and laughable.

I spoke weakly, "I want to go see my brother."

To go to his grave and atone for my sins. I don't deserve to be his sister. He shouldn't have died at the bright age of eighteen.

Damien flinched slightly, a flash of panic crossing his eyes, though I didn't notice it.

Then, as if soothing a child, he carried me to the bedroom.

"Didn't we just visit your brother a week ago?"