Chapter 2
Three days ago, the sunlight at six PM spilled into the villa's living room, stretching a warm golden glow over the glossy marble floor.
Vivian set the last dish onto the table, arranging two sets of dinnerware with practiced hands.
The seat across from her was still empty.
She waited for twenty minutes out of habit and then picked up her phone.
The last message she sent three days ago—"Are you coming home for dinner tonight?"—still sat unanswered in the chat window.
Vivian lowered her head and slowly took a few bites of her meal.
The fish was cooked to perfection, but unfortunately, it had gone cold.
This villa was the smallest property under Leon's name. They'd been living here for three years. Technically, not they, it had been her alone.
Leon only showed up at home once or twice a week, and never stayed longer than three hours.
The only maid was a part-timer who cleaned for two hours every morning. The rest of the day, Vivian spent alone in this huge villa.
The electronic lock beeped at the entryway.
Vivian paused mid-bite, instinctively looking up.
Leon walked in, his suit jacket casually draped over his arm.
He glanced at the table but didn't stop as he headed for the stairs.
"Have you eaten?" Vivian stood up, her voice soft. "I cooked something."
"No." He didn't pause. "Grab a few clean clothes for me. I need to head back to the hospital in thirty minutes."
The hospital.
He meant the Harmony Private Hospital where Rachel was staying.
Vivian felt a chill in her fingertips. "Is she... is it really bad?"
"Acute rejection." Leon was already halfway up the stairs, turning to look at her with a weariness etched deep in his features. "The doctors say she doesn't have much time left."
His words stabbed right into the softest part of Vivian's heart.
She remembered how exhausted Leon had looked six months ago, when Rachel was first diagnosed with kidney failure.
That night, he'd been drinking, and for the first time, he'd really opened up to her. He told her how Rachel had gotten sick saving him, how he owed her his life, and how he'd never be able to rest easy if he couldn't find a suitable kidney donor for her.
Back then, Vivian had held his hand and promised, "We'll find a donor."
She never imagined she'd be the one they'd end up finding.
"Leon." She followed him up the stairs, speaking just before he pushed open the bedroom door. "The doctor said I've been pretty anemic lately. Is it possible to reconsider—"
"So what?" Leon turned around, his eyes turning cold. "Rachel's lying in the ICU, and you're telling me about your anemia?"
Vivian's throat tightened. "I just..."
His phone rang abruptly.
Leon answered right away, with an urgency Vivian had never heard from him. "Dr. Carter? Is Rachel alright?"
As he listened, Vivian saw Leon's face grow paler and paler.
"Alright, I'll be there immediately." He hung up, and when he looked at Vivian, his eyes went completely cold. "Tomorrow morning at nine, Harmony Private Hospital. You'll be tested for donor compatibility."
"What?"
"I said, get the donor compatibility testing done." He pronounced each word with icy precision. "Vivian, you owe this to her."
Vivian opened her mouth, wanting to ask, "What do I owe her?" but the words stuck in her throat, not a single sound coming out.
Leon had already turned and walked into the walk-in closet.
She heard the drawers sliding open and the rustling as he quickly packed his clothes.
A few minutes later, he came out carrying a small suitcase, not even sparing her a glance.
"Leon." As he brushed past her, Vivian grabbed his sleeve. "What if the compatibility test comes back positive?"
Leon stopped, his face looking even more stone-cold in the dim hallway light.
"Then the surgery will proceed." His voice was flat. "Rachel can't die."
There was the sound of a door closing downstairs.
Vivian stood alone in the empty hallway. She could still feel the touch of his sleeve on her fingertips.
She slowly released her grip, looking down at her own pale fingers.
Outside, the sun had vanished completely.