Chapter 2

"Why would we regret it? This is a fair trade." My mother's voice was devoid of warmth.

She smoothed the wrinkles on her designer dress, looking at me with that familiar mix of impatience and disdain. "You provide the kidney, we provide compensation. Besides this money, Audrey will also prepare properties and other funds that will keep you set for life."

I thought it over.

Once the divorce agreement was in effect and the surgery was done, she'd have no obligation or reason to continue funding my lab.

I couldn't let my project vanish along with me.

"Fine," my voice came out hoarse, like I'd been sandpapered.

I pressed my hand on the check. "I need the full amount today, including the buyout for the research funds Audrey promised."

My father frowned, a flicker of disgust crossing his face. "What's the rush? You greedy bastard. With that calculating look on your face, it's no wonder Audrey can't stand you!"

"I'm just worried I won't live long enough to spend this money," I cut him off, forcing a dry, humorless smile. "And I'm no longer the Sterling president's husband. Without this cash, how am I supposed to support my team?"

"Enough," my mother snapped, narrowing her eyes. "It's just a kidney donation. They do this kind of surgery every day. Why do you have to be so dramatic? Is it for attention? I'll arrange the transfer now; take the money and shut up. Just hearing your voice makes my heart ache!"

I didn't argue. I just pulled out my phone, watching the mobile banking notification pop up.

Once everything was settled, I stepped out of the house.

The winter wind cut through my exposed skin like a knife.

My fingers trembled as I dialed the number.

"Evan?" A warm, concerned voice came through the phone. It was Professor Vance, my mentor and the core researcher of my team. "We didn't expect to hear from you. How's everything with the Sterling Group board?"

"Good," I forced a hint of cheerfulness into my tone, something I didn't genuinely feel. "Professor, listen, I just secured a private sponsorship worth about thirty million. I'm transferring it to the lab's independent trust account right now. This money will cover the team's salaries for the next five years, supercomputer expenses, and all R&D costs."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, followed by an audible gasp. "Evan... this... this is incredible. But where did this money come from? Did Audrey approve it?"

"Don't worry about where it came from, and don't ask Audrey. This is my personal buyout money." I took a deep breath, suppressing the deep pain in my chest. "All you need to do is promise me one thing—keep this project running, no matter what. It can't stop, okay?"

"Of course, Evan. We... we all miss you. The lab feels empty without you; everyone misses your data analysis!" After a pause, his voice turned hesitant. "Evan? You sound... weak. Are you crying?"

I touched my cheek, feeling the cold wetness.

How pathetic.

My wife had just bought my organs like spare car parts, my parents had tossed me aside like old junk, and no one had asked if I was in pain. Yet here, a colleague I hadn't seen in a while could hear my weakness and sorrow just from my breathing.

"No," I lied, looking up at the gray sky. "I'm just... watching a stupid movie. The main character is getting bullied so badly; everyone's betraying him, and it's just a bit hard to take."

"Oh," Vance sighed in relief. "Well, don't watch those kinds of tragedies. Take care of yourself; we're all here for you. No matter how Audrey treats you, you still have us."

"Yeah, I know."

...

That evening, we attended a charity gala at the Ritz.

My mother insisted I go.

"We need to show the world the Cross family is united," she had said. "Just because you've been hostile toward your brother doesn't mean outsiders should think our family is dysfunctional!"

I sat in the VIP lounge, cradling a cup of warm water, feeling the entire room spin. The dizziness from my organ failure was swallowing my consciousness.

Colin, dressed in a tailored white tuxedo, sat like a star, glowing as people praised his "brave fight against illness."

Maybe he was tired of the compliments and wanted to show off in front of me, so he came into the lounge too.

A young boy happened to walk in.

He looked barely over twenty, wearing a motorcycle jacket and casual pants, which stood out at the gala.

His name was Julian.

He held a glass of champagne, looking down at his phone, walking with a spring in his step.

In his hurry, the boy's elbow brushed against the back of Colin's chair.

It was just a light bump. He didn't even spill his drink.

But Colin inhaled sharply, the bone china teacup slipping from his hand.

The sound of porcelain shattering on the marble floor was painfully loud.

"Oh my God!" Colin cried out in an exaggerated tone, clutching his arm. "Aren't you watching where you're going?!"

The boy, Julian, stopped, took off his earbuds, and looked at Colin with confusion. "Sorry? I just bumped the chair; I didn't touch you."

"You did it on purpose!" Colin shouted, tears welling up in his eyes. He looked at me. "Brother! He hurt me! He knows I'm sick; he's trying to kill me!"

At that moment, my head was pounding, and the room felt like it was tilting.

I stood up, intending to defuse the situation, to apologize to the boy and take Colin away.

"Please, Colin," I murmured, my vision starting to blur. "He didn't mean it..."

But Colin was quicker, grabbing a shard of broken porcelain and throwing it at the boy.

"Take that! You think you can push me around? You lowlife brute!"

The boy frowned and pushed Colin's arm away. Colin surprisingly had a lot of strength at that moment; I tried to pull them apart, but Colin shoved me back hard.

That push sent me off balance. I fell backward, my head slamming against the wooden edge of the velvet sofa, and the world plunged into darkness.