Chapter 1

I’m weak, all because I only have one kidney.

So my parents, deep down, couldn't stand me. They saw me as a stain on the family name.

They showered all their love on my younger brother. Me? I was like a debt they owed from a past life, and they made me suffer for it.

Then, I grew up and met Evie.

We fell in love, got married. She took such good care of me. I felt like I’d finally been saved.

But then Lucas – my “perfect” younger brother – got “accidentally” hurt “protecting” Evie. His kidney was ruptured. And she insisted I give my only healthy kidney to save him.

She said it was my time to contribute to the family.

What she didn’t know was that their wealth came from selling one of my kidneys years ago.

And that kidney, was inside her right now, giving her a second chance at life.

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1

“Your brother Lucas isn’t like you, Ethan. He’s the golden boy, the future of the Vance family. How can he live with only one good kidney?” Her voice was as cold and sharp as a scalpel.

“Even if you give him your healthy one, you’ll still have one left. It might not be perfect, but it’ll be enough.”

“I promise you, Ethan, I’ll do the surgery myself. I’ll put that ‘decent enough’ kidney back in you properly.”

Evie’s words, every single one, felt like an ice pick to my heart. I couldn’t believe it.

I’d told her about my health, about how much I’d suffered my whole life with just one kidney. Every medical report was like a death sentence.

But Evie, my Evie, never seemed to take it seriously. Maybe she just thought I was complaining for no reason.

“But I want to live too, Evie. If you put that bad kidney in me, I won’t make it.” My voice trembled with desperation.

A flicker of impatience crossed Evie’s beautiful face before her professional calm returned.

“Enough, Ethan. Stop lying. Don’t I know your body? You’re perfectly healthy. Saying you only have one kidney… that kind of pity ploy is just cheap.”

“You’re just jealous of Lucas. You don’t want him to outshine you. Now he’s hurt because of me. You don’t have a choice. You have to do this.”

Evie wouldn’t listen to me. Her eyes only showed worry for Lucas and a coldness I’d never seen before. All she cared about was getting me into surgery.

I could only weakly grab her hand. The hand that once gave me so much warmth now felt as cold as iron.

“My monthly reports, all those pills… you’ve seen them, Evie. You know I don’t lie to you, especially not to you.”

But it was like she was completely possessed by some idea. She pulled her hand away.

“Your parents told me all about it! How you’ve faked things your whole life just to get attention, making up all sorts of lies!”

“Your brother Lucas is so kind, so good. He almost died for me! You can’t be this selfish, Ethan, only thinking about yourself!”

Evie was convinced I was acting, that I was a dark, twisted person. She wouldn’t listen to a word I said.

Helpless, as they pushed me into the pre-op room, I used all my strength to shout,

“I’m not lying, Evie! The kidney they sold… it’s inside you! It’s *inside you*!”

My voice echoed in the cold hall, a desperate, bloody cry.

But all I got in response was Evie’s determined back walking away, and the scornful looks of a few doctors in the room.

“People these days will say anything to get out of donating a kidney. Trying to guilt-trip Dr. Reed. What a freak show, always something new.” A young doctor sneered.

“And after Dr. Reed specifically told us to take good care of you. Turns out you don’t want to help your future brother-in-law, and you even try to smear your fiancée’s name with lies. Disgusting.” Another one chimed in. They clearly thought I was some loser bothering Evie.

“Everyone knows Dr. Reed’s fiancé is an elite guy like Lucas Vance. This one’s probably just jealous. No class. He should be grateful for the chance to donate to his future brother-in-law. What’s he making a fuss for?”

Evie’s colleagues looked me over with a mix of disgust and contempt.

It was like I was the evil villain trying to break up Evie and Lucas, the golden couple.

But I was the one who secretly married Evie at City Hall, Ethan Vance. Lucas was the leech, always sucking the life out of me, wanting everything I had.

It was because I was ashamed, used to hiding in the shadows. I didn't dare let the Vance family or Evie's high-society friends know she’d chosen me, a "worthless" artist. That's how Lucas slipped in, playing the part of Evie's "real boyfriend," even "fiancé," in front of everyone.

At that moment, I couldn’t hold back the flood of shame and despair rising in my chest.

“What are you talking about! I’m Evelyn’s husb—”

My words were cut off as Evie rushed in, pushing a gurney. Lucas lay on it, pale, but from a hidden corner, he shot me a smug, cold smirk.

Evie looked frantic, tiny beads of sweat on her forehead, which somehow made her look even more vulnerable and sexy than usual.

“Your brother Lucas is in critical condition. You have to have the surgery now!” she ordered, no room for argument.

The doctors beside her immediately grabbed me, like I was a criminal.

At the doorway, Lucas, through his oxygen mask, mouthed silently to me: “Bro, you owe me all of this.”