Chapter 2
I clutched my chest; it felt so empty, like something vital had been torn out.
So this was what heartbreak felt like at its worst.
A nurse nearby couldn't hold back and tried to fill Justin in on my condition.
"Mr. Madden, Ms. Mcneil—she..."
Justin snapped at her, cutting her off.
"Just give her the top meds and make sure she doesn't die. Don't bother me unless it's something else. I'll swing by when I can."
His gaze was locked on Rebecca alone, like I was some irrelevant nobody.
"Justin, are you still mad at Jeanette? I totally get why she wouldn't want to donate her kidney," Rebecca said, her voice dripping with coy charm.
"Look, I'm perfectly fine now. Cut her some slack."
"Okay, okay—don't overthink it. I've got everything under control," Justin replied, his voice turning gentle.
The nurse hesitated, like she had more to say, then just sighed and turned away.
I stood there, rooted to the spot, staring at his back as he walked off.
So this was the man I'd poured my love into for ten whole years.
I was just 15 when I first fell for Justin.
Back then, I was totally average—plain looks, mediocre grades, the kind of girl who blended into the background at school.
Justin, though? He was the star of our private academy.
Cool, distant, drop-dead gorgeous—the classic straight-A ice king.
Every girl's ultimate crush.
I never imagined our paths would even cross.
Until that one rainy day.
I was standing alone under the school building, spacing out.
He walked up and thrust an umbrella into my hands.
In that moment, my heart fluttered.
From then on, I started paying quiet attention to him.
I heard he liked gentle girls, so I learned to do my makeup and put effort into my style.
I dove headfirst into my studies—all of it just to get a tiny bit closer to him.
Little by little, I became the teacher's pet, the top student.
Turned into the girl everyone buzzed about for her looks and smarts.
Finally, I had what it took to stand beside him.
We became friends, and I inched closer and closer.
But I never had the guts to confess—I was scared of rejection.
Terrified it would ruin even our friendship.
I loved him so cautiously, treading on eggshells.
I thought I'd finally melted that icy heart of his, but nope—it was all in my head.
I couldn't help mocking myself: five years... heck, even a dog would show some loyalty after that long.
But compared to Rebecca, it meant absolutely nothing.
I flashed back to right after she returned, when she sent me that smug text.
[Jeanette, you realize Justin's always been in love with me, right?]
[If it weren't for that family-arranged marriage, you really think you'd get to be by his side?]
[Oh, and I forgot to tell you—I have chronic kidney failure and need a transplant.]
[Guess whose kidney Justin plans to give me?]
I was so clueless then; I figured she was just trying to drive a wedge between me and Justin.
I ignored it.
That was, until I found the matching report in his study, with "Jeanette" printed clear as day.
That was when it sank in—it was all true, and I was the last idiot to know.
No wonder he'd suddenly turned back into that caring, attentive guy around then.
Fussing over my daily meals and schedule.
Even instructing the nanny to make me special nutrient-packed stuff.
I assumed he'd figured out Rebecca's illness wasn't my fault.
That he felt guilty and wanted to make it up to me.
Little did I know, he just wanted me in prime condition for the donation.
He was afraid I wouldn't agree to donate the kidney, so he tricked me into going to the hospital for a checkup, pretending it was all about getting ready to have a baby.
But I was completely oblivious, totally in the dark.
I even sat there giggling like a fool while they drew my blood.
Over the moon at the thought of becoming a mom soon.
When I confronted Justin with the matching report in hand, my eyes red and puffy from crying.
He just gave me a cold stare and said, "Jeanette, she's my sister.
"You need to be more understanding.
"Losing one kidney won't affect you much. But without it, Rebecca will die."
Understanding?
If I played along, would that make you love me?
No, it wouldn't.
In his eyes, Rebecca was the only one who truly mattered.
I shook my head and murmured, "Justin, do you remember what you promised when you asked me to marry you?"
He froze, obviously caught off guard by the question.
"You said you'd love me forever, that you'd never hurt me."
I forced a smile, even as tears streamed down my face, splashing onto the floor.
With a quiet plop.
"But now, you're doing exactly that—hurting me.
"Don't you get it? Without that kidney, I'll die too."