Chapter 1

On the day Melody became a movie star, the host asked her to call the most unforgettable person in her life.

The next moment, my phone rang.

"Brent, do you regret leaving me?"

Hearing that familiar voice, I lay in my hospital bed, using all my strength to say, "Queen Shaw just won a major award, becoming one of the richest actresses in Hollywood. Can you give me six hundred grand?"

A soft laugh came from the other end of the line. "You're still so obsessed with money. Why should I give you anything?"

What she didn't know was that those six hundred grand could save my life.

This was what she owed me.

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1

I got uremic poisoning. Five years ago, I donated a kidney to Melody. Now, the one I have left is failing too.

Six hundred thousand dollars is enough to cover my dialysis costs, allowing me to cling to life for a few more years.

Five minutes after hanging up the phone, my bank account received a deposit of exactly six hundred thousand dollars.

I was dumbfounded for a moment, then I smiled. Melody, you still can't forget about me, can you?

But less than half an hour later, Melody showed up. When she saw that I was really in the hospital, her eyes couldn't hide her disgust.

"Brent, you've really outdone yourself. To scam me, you even got yourself admitted to the hospital."

"Wasting public resources, don't you feel ashamed?"

She didn't come alone; her manager Randal was with her.

Seeing me, Randal chuckled, "I think he regrets it now. Back then, he was dead set on breaking up with you. Now that he knows you're an A-list actress, he's playing the pity card again."

"I guess anyone would regret it!"

A look of revulsion flashed across Melody's face as she frowned slightly and said, "Brent, when you broke up with me back then, was there something you weren't telling me?"

Hearing this, Randal visibly trembled, clearly nervous.

I looked at Melody, fully aware that if she knew the truth, she would definitely not let me go.She had fought tooth and nail to claw her way up to her current position in this industry. With me as a burden, she wouldn't be able to go far.

Not to mention, a renowned director had returned to the country and specifically requested her for the lead role. This was her crucial moment to break into the international scene. I couldn't hold her back.

So, I let out a light sneer, "Hidden reasons? Sure, I'm just bored of her."

Hearing this, Melody's face suddenly darkened, her fists clenching tightly.

Randal relaxed beside her, "Melody, don't bother with him. There are still reporters outside, let's go!"

Melody took a deep breath, "Take care of yourself!"

She turned to leave, while Randal stayed behind, tapping on the bedside table, "Brent, do you have any idea what she's been through all these years? You really have the nerve to ask for six hundred grand!"

"That was her voluntary gift. What's it to you?"

Probably not expecting me to speak to her like that, Randal's face turned sour. She then coldly said, "Return the money as soon as possible. That was Melody's house-buying money."

"Aren't you curious which house she bought?"

"You guessed it, it's the rental apartment you two used to live in! Brent, if you have any shame left, give the money back!"

As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and left.I lay on the bed, taking a good while to recover before getting up. A friend request came through on my phone - it was Randal.

After accepting, he sent me an ultimatum, "Brent, unjust enrichment is a jailable offense. You don't want that, do you?"

"Have Melody talk to me herself. Who do you think you are?"

After sending that message, I blocked him.

Clearly, Randal was furious. Soon after, I received a call from a lawyer, "Hello, Mr. Carlisle. I'm Melody's attorney. My client demands you return the unjustly acquired $600,000. If you don't comply, we'll be forced to take legal action."

The glimmer of hope I just had vanished just like that.

I let out a bitter laugh, hung up the phone, and turned away.

Melody, you're truly ruthless. But I don't blame her; she doesn't know the truth.

It's just that my illness can't wait any longer.

When it rains, it pours. Right after I paid back the money and got discharged from the hospital, I received a layoff notice from the company's HR. I'd been with the company for five years, and now with this layoff, I only got $50,000 in severance.

If I'm frugal, I can survive for four more months.

Unexpectedly, after returning to my rental, the landlord called me, "Brent, I'm not renting out the place anymore. You need to find somewhere else to move. I'm giving you three days!"I was stunned. "But I signed a contract!"

"Well, you didn't tell me you had a terminal illness, did you? That's bad juju!"