Chapter 5
Cassandra's POV
The pen fell from my hand.
"What...?"
"Surgery had to be cancelled. The child's condition is critical. We must find a new donor quickly, or..." The doctor paused. "Time may be running out."
My world collapsed.
Since my compatibility test didn't match, I couldn't donate my liver directly to my daughter. This donor took great effort to find...
"Are there other options?" I gripped the phone, voice trembling. "Please, there must be another way!"
"Living donor liver transplant is the fastest option. The child's father is usually the best donor, but requires his personal consent."
The call ended.
Father?
Lily's father wanted her dead immediately.
I collapsed in the chair, tears flowing unstoppably.
I waited outside Blackwood Corporation, snow stinging my face like needles.
After what felt like forever, the black Bentley finally appeared.
The car door opened and Damien stepped out.
I rushed over and knelt at his feet: "Damien!"
"You AGAIN!" He shook me off in disgust.
I desperately grabbed his pant leg: "The donor is DEAD! Lily doesn't have much time! Please do the living donor transplant!"
"Let GO!" He tried to kick me away.
"She's your daughter!" I clung to his leg desperately. "Your blood flows in her!"
Damien's face turned livid, raising his hand to hit me.
"Damien, stop."
A gentle voice spoke up.
The other car door opened and Serena elegantly stepped out, holding a white cane.
Damien immediately softened: "Serena, be careful with the steps—your eyes aren't good."
"Don't treat her like that." Serena approached us. "The child is innocent."
I looked up at her.
"Cassandra, I have an idea." Serena knelt down, whispering in my ear. "Trade your corneas for Damien saving Lily."
I signed my name on the organ donation agreement.
The ink wasn't even dry when I felt an unprecedented sense of relief.
Finally, I could do one last thing for Lily.
"Cassandra, are you sure about this?" Dr. Martinez held the agreement. "Corneal transplant is irreversible..."
"I'm sure." I said calmly. "When is the surgery?"
"Tomorrow morning." The doctor sighed. "You'll need to rest for a week after surgery."
I nodded, looking out at the night skyline.
City lights flickered like countless stars. This might be the last time I'd see this world clearly.
But that's okay, as long as Lily could live.
I closed my eyes, recalling Serena's words:
"You want my eyes?"
"My eyes can't see because of you." She said gently. "If you give me your corneas, Damien will save Lily. This is your chance to atone, Cassandra."
Atonement...
Maybe she was right. I owed her, and now it was time to pay.
The next day, operating room
The moment anesthesia entered my bloodstream, I felt consciousness slipping away rapidly.
My last thought was of Lily's smile.
When I wake up, she'll be healed.
Darkness rushed over me like a tide, swallowing me completely.
I don't know how long passed before I slowly regained consciousness.
I tried to open my eyes, but only endless darkness greeted me.
I couldn't see anything.
Terror flooded through me like ice water, but I forced myself to stay calm.
"Doctor... doctor!" My voice was hoarse. "Lily... how did her surgery go?"
The room fell silent for several seconds.
"The surgery... was successful." Dr. Martinez finally spoke. "Rest well, everything will be fine."
It worked...
Tears burst forth instantly, not from pain, but from joy.
"She's really okay?" I asked with a trembling voice.
"She'll recover." The doctor patted my shoulder gently. "You're an amazing mother."
Lily survived... she survived...
I clutched my chest tightly, tears streaming down.
It was all worth it.
One week later
I lay in the hospital bed, my eyes wrapped in gauze.
Nurses came daily to change the dressings, but never let me get out of bed.
"When can Lily come see me?" I asked Nurse Jenny.
"She's still recovering," Jenny's voice sounded unnatural. "The doctor said... wait a few more days."
A few more days.
I'd already waited a week.
"What about Damien? Has he been to see her?"
Jenny didn't answer, hurrying out of the room.
Strange...
That evening, I heard whispered voices in the hallway.
"That poor woman still doesn't know..."
"Know what?"
"Her daughter died three days ago."
