Chapter 1
My daughter’s birthday wish was for the whole family to travel together. My
husband immediately suggested hiking up a mountain.
I happily agreed, but on the day of the hike, they left me behind halfway up the
mountain.
Sudden rain poured down, the terrain was steep and when my trekking pole broke, I fell off a cliff.
While lying unconscious in the hospital, I overheard my husband and daughter’s conversation, “If Mom really becomes a vegetative state, Aunt Kourtney will be saved! We can give Mom’s kidney to Aunt Kourtney! Dad, then you can finally be with Aunt Kourtney!”
My husband’s laughter was filled with anticipation, “Yes, finally.”
I silently shed tears with my eyes closed,
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continuing to pretend I was unconscious.
Very soon, they were eager to make the decision on my behalf, agreeing to donate my kidney.
The moment anesthetic was injected into my body, just as Kourtney was being wheeled into the operating room, I opened my eyes and said, “Sorry, I don’t agree.”
After being wheeled out of the operating room, the doctor immediately marveled to Simon, “It’s a miracle! Your wife actually woke up.”
I squinted slightly and saw the stiff, pale expression on Simon’s face. I asked softly, “Honey, aren’t you happy that I woke up?”
He shook his head hastily, “No, of course not!” He leaned over to stroke my cheek, “Honey, I’m really glad you woke up.”
But my daughter’s face showed more disappointment. She hid behind Simon and
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mumbled, “Mom, why did you wake up? Dad, if she’s awake, what happens to Aunt Kourtney?”
I turned my head to look at her, “Who is Aunt Kourtney?”
Simon immediately interrupted, “No, Vivian didn’t say anything. She’s just too happy you woke up.”
Vivian quickly plastered on a smile, “Yes, Mom, it’s great that you woke up! I thought I was going to lose you!”
Even though I knew they were both pretending, my heart still ached
unbearably. Over the years, I had poured my heart and soul into them, yet I hadn’t expected them to resent me so much.
In the following days, as I recovered, I overheard bits of their conversations in the hospital room.
The doctor came to confirm the decision on the kidney donation, “Mr. Webster, given your wife’s current condition, we
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can’t guarantee she’ll survive the operation. Are you sure you want to proceed with Miss. Simpson’s surgery?”
Simon’s voice was resolute, “Yes.”
Under the blanket, my hands clenched tighter, my nails digging deep into my palms as I struggled to control my
emotions.
Suddenly, the nurse shouted, “Dr. Llyod, something’s wrong! Her heart rate is skyrocketing and her blood pressure is spiking!”
The doctor and nurses rushed over to
check on me. After a round of
observations, my emotions gradually stabilized and my blood pressure and heart rate returned to normal.
Dr. Llyod again asked for confirmation from Simon. “Mr. Webster, your wife’s condition is extremely unstable, as you just witnessed. Are you sure you still want to proceed with the surgery?”
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The quiet hospital room was filled only with the beeping of medical equipment. Ast the doctor waited for his reply, I also held my breath, hoping for a different answer.
“Maybe…” Just as Simon began to speak, a woman’s voice suddenly came from the doorway, “Simon…”
“Kourtney, why are you here!” Simon’s tone was full of nervousness.
Kourtney spoke in a weak voice, “I was worried about you staying at the hospital alone with Adriana. I was afraid you’d be too exhausted. Let me take care of her instead… cough cough…” Before finishing her sentence, Kourtney began coughing uncontrollably.
Anxiously, Simon patted her back and comforted her, “Kourtney, are you okay? How did you end up coughing blood?”
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