Chapter 7
Julia felt like she’d just been struck by lightning.
Her lips moved, but nothing came out. Pain shot through every inch of her body, raw and relentless.
He frowned when he saw her like this, but finally let his voice soften. “It’s just an apology, Julia. That’s all. Nothing’s going to happen. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”
Those words chilled her to the core. Julia started fo shake, about to protest, when the butler burst in, breathless and panicked.
“Mr. Haskins! Something’s happened! Ms. Keller–she jumped! She’s at the hospital, in surgery!”
Nathan’s face went white as a sheet.
He grabbed Julia’s arm and rushed her out the door, tearing through three red lights on the way to the hospital.
The red “surgery in progress” light above the operating room door was blinding.
A doctor rushed out, voice urgent. “Her kidney’s ruptured. She needs an immediate transplant. According to our records, only someone named Julia is a match.”
Nathan froze, then slowly turned to look at her.
Julia instinctively backed away, but before she could escape, he was right in front of her, grabbing her hand.
‘Julia,” his voice was tight, almost desperate, “Sarah did this because of you…”
Julia was shaking head to toe, staring at him like she didn’t even know him.
He really wanted her to give Sarah her kidney?
‘If you hadn’t had those people hurt her, she never would’ve done this,” Nathan said through gritted teeth, his hand like a vise on her wrist. “Just… just do this to make up for it.”
‘Nathan, I’ll say it one last time–I don’t owe her anything!” Julia ripped her hand out of his grasp, her voice ragged. “I never hurt her, and I’m not giving her my kidney!”
She tried to leave, but four bodyguards blocked the door.
‘Nathan!” Julia’s voice was raw, her whole body cold with fear. “Do you even realize what you’re doing?”
Nathan’s eyes went dark. He looked at the doctor. “Get ready for surgery.”
‘Let me go!” Julia screamed, fighting with everything she had. Her nails dug bloody scratches into the guards‘ arms. “Nathan! You’re a monster!”
They forced her onto a gurney, strapping down her arms and legs.
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Chapter 7
As the anesthesiologist walked towards her with a needle, Julia’s mind flashed back to last year–she’d cut her finger, and Nathan had flown home overnight just to hold her hand, eyes red with worry. “Julia, I wish it was me instead…”
Now, he was the one sending her to the operating room, letting them cut her open.
The sting as the needle slid into her vein sent her body into spasms.
But the pain wasn’t just physical.
It was her heart, being torn in half.
As the anesthesia started to pull her under, Julia’s vision blurred. Through the haze, she saw
Nathan standing at the door, his lips moving silently: “Julia, forgive me.”
A single tear slipped from her eye, soaking into the white pillowcase.
No.
Nathan, I’ll never forgive you.
The pain woke Julia at three in the morning.
The anesthesia had worn off, leaving her side burning with every breath.
The hospital room was empty except for the steady beep of the monitor.
She turned her head, slowly, to look out the window. It was still dark.
“Ms. Hughes, you’re awake?” The assistant came in, carrying a cup of warm water. “Mr. Haskins… he’s busy. He asked me to look after you.”
Julia tried to smile, but her eyes stung with unshed tears.
She’d seen this coming.
The assistant carefully helped her sit up and drink, but before Julia could say anything, her
one vibrated on the bedside table.
stream of messages–every one from Sarah.
The first photo: Nathan peeling shrimp for Sarah, looking at her like she was the only person in the world.
The second: Nathan and Sarah lying together on a hospital bed, Sarah nestled against his chest, his arm wrapped around her.
And then, a video,
On screen, Sarah’s eyes were red and puffy. “Nathan, every time I close my eyes, all I see is those men–touching me.”
She clung to his sleeve. “Kiss me, please? Help me forget…”
Nathan frowned, pulling away. “Sarah, stop. I’m married.”
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“I know!” Sarah burst into tears. “I know you love Julia. But it’s her fault I’m like this! And I saved your life, remember? Can’t you… just this once, repay me?”
Nathan didn’t say a word for a long time.
Finally, he leaned in and kissed her.
It wasn’t a quick or gentle kiss–it was deep, lingering.
Sarah responded right away, arms wrapping tight around his neck.
The video timestamp said the kiss lasted five minutes.
Julia’s phone slipped from her hand, hitting the floor with a dull thud.
The screen was still lit up, paused on Nathan cupping Sarah’s face, kissing her like he meant it.
Julia’s breath caught in her throat. She pressed her hand against her side, feeling something cold and wet.
Blood.
Her stitches had split open, fresh blood seeping through the bandages.
But she couldn’t even feel it.
What was a little pain, compared to the way her heart was being ripped out?
She curled up, pulling her knees to her chest, face buried in the pillow.
Soon, the pillow was soaked with something warm. She couldn’t tell if it was blood or tears. Maybe it was both.
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