Chapter 2

The pen scratched across the paper, and the moment my name was signed, a dull, heavy ache pulsed in my chest again.

I pressed my hand to my left side, cold sweat tracing paths down my cheeks.

It took a while for the pain to subside slightly. I folded the organ donation consent form and tucked it into the deepest part of the drawer.

The lock clicked as I turned the key, just as the front door downstairs swung open.

"Watch your step, don't twist your ankle."

That was Daniel's voice, hushed and unusually gentle and patient -- a tone he rarely used with me.

I held onto the banister as I walked downstairs. Daniel was carefully escorting a woman inside.

It was Bella Rivera, his college sweetheart, the woman who once made him smoke an entire pack of cigarettes alone late at night. Now, she was brazenly walking into my home.

Bella scanned the living room after entering, her gaze finally landing on me.

A smile played on her lips, but her body subtly snuggled closer to Daniel.

"Eleanor, I'm so sorry. I just got back to the country and haven't found a place yet. I'll have to bother you for a few days. You don't mind, do you?"

I gripped the banister tightly, my failing heart pounding even harder in my chest.

What good would minding do?

Last night, Daniel hadn't even discussed it with me; he'd simply informed me she was moving in.

Before I could answer, eight-year-old Leo, clutching a new pair of slippers, ran up to Bella.

"Bella, wear these. They're super soft."

My vision blurred as I looked down. Those were the slippers I'd trekked to three different stores under the scorching sun to buy just two days ago.

When I first brought them home, Leo had clung to my leg, playfully begging, saying I would look the prettiest wearing them.

Now, he didn't hesitate to give them away to impress another woman.

Bella smiled and ruffled Leo's hair as she put on the slippers. They were a bit too big, and she frowned prettily.

Seeing this, Daniel immediately glared at me, his brows furrowed in displeasure.

"Eleanor, you're usually just idling around at home. Why can't you even manage basic preparations for a guest? Bella has small feet. Giving her such big slippers, are you deliberately trying to embarrass her?"

My stomach churned with acid. I took a deep, nauseous breath. They were bought for me, of course they wouldn't fit her.

I didn't argue. I just turned and walked towards the sofa. My body swayed as I moved too quickly, and I had to grab the back of the sofa to steady myself.

Daniel didn't notice anything amiss. He pulled Bella to sit opposite me.

"You've been busy all morning, Bella must be hungry. Go to the kitchen now and prepare something light. Bella has a sensitive stomach and can't eat greasy food."

He leaned back on the sofa, issuing orders. In the past, I would have rushed into the kitchen, eager to earn a word of praise.

But today, I was simply too exhausted. The sharp pain in my chest had drained all my strength, let alone the energy to cater to his first love.

I took off my apron and draped it over the back of the sofa.

"I'm a bit tired. I don't feel like cooking. You guys can order takeout or go out."

Daniel froze, apparently not expecting his usually obedient wife to dare to refuse him in front of an outsider.

A cold, angry sneer quickly appeared on his face.

"Eleanor, you've grown a temper, have you? Bella just arrived today, and you're already putting on airs as the lady of the house, even haggling over a single meal? This little game you're playing, it just makes me sick."

Even my refusal to serve them was seen as a tactic to gain his attention.

Before I could speak, Leo pouted and pointed at me.

"Mom is so selfish. She never does anything around the house, and she won't even cook something for us. Bella just got back and worked so hard, you don't even care about her. Bella is much gentler than you."

Each word from my eight-year-old son pierced my heart. This was the home I'd sacrificed my career to care for, for eight years.

This was also the consequence of the heart condition I developed after risking my life to give birth to him. In the end, I couldn't even compare to a stranger.

My heart began to beat erratically, and my vision blurred again. I knew I couldn't stay.

I calmly turned, dragging my heavy steps towards the guest room on the first floor, leaving the master bedroom and living room to the three of them.

"Stop right there. Who are you putting on this 'poor me' act for?" Daniel demanded from behind me, his voice simmering with rage. I didn't pause until I reached the guest room and closed the door behind me.

Soon, Bella's soft, comforting voice could be heard outside.

"Daniel, don't blame Eleanor. She's probably upset that I'm here. Let's just go out to eat."

Leo chimed in, eager to take her out for a fancy meal, and then the front door slammed shut.

The house fell silent instantly, leaving only my labored breathing.

I slid down the door to the floor, fumbled for my emergency medication, and dry-swallowed a few pills.

Once my breathing steadied, I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Dr. Miller, it's Eleanor Vance. I've already signed the organ donation confirmation form. How long does the process usually take?"

The voice on the other end sounded heavy, sighing just before I heard the sound of a key turning in the lock outside the door.