Chapter 2

"You're not suited for the pairing," the doctor said.

But I kept silent.

"Sophia, are you deaf? Go home right now," he commanded.

"I can do it. Please, let me try," I just pleaded.

Then, I stood up and stepped forward.

"You?" The doctor seemed speechless.

"You just had a miscarriage a few days ago. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

As I reached the doorway, I hesitated for a split second.

"It's just a pairing; it's not like it'll kill me," I shot back.

Behind me, the doctor let out a weary sigh.

However, there were just so many things they needed to check.

So, I decided to stay in the hospital for three days to go through all these.

It was also a perfect chance to let my body recover.

Soon, three days passed.

After all the tests were done, I went up to the fifth floor.

But what I saw made me pause. My parents were sitting beside Emily's bed, gently looking after her.

My dad was the first to notice me. He stood up, waving his hand.

I nodded and walked in.

"Dad, Mom, Emily," I greeted them.

"So, any results yet?" my dad asked.

"Not yet," I replied. "I'll go home."

My eyes met Emily's for a brief moment.

But the next second, she lowered her head.

My mom shot me a look. "Alright, you can go."

I nodded, not saying a word.

Just as I was about to step out the door, my dad called out to me.

"Sophia, Jason probably left this pendant behind. Can you take it to him?"

I turned around.

My dad handed me a silver pendant, and I froze for a second.

"It was found the day Jason came," he said.

Instinctively, I glanced at Emily and my mom.

Still, I reached out and took the pendant.

"Okay," I agreed and turned around to leave.

As soon as I stepped out, I heard my mom's voice.

"What are you doing? Afraid she won't get a chance to see Jason?" she asked.

"Things are quite awkward between them. I doubt they'll be able to stay together much longer."

I didn't look back, my steps echoing in the empty hallway.

The other day, I went to Reed Corporation.

I waited there for half an hour until Jason finally came back after finishing his meeting.

As soon as he noticed me, his brows furrowed.

I finished the last sip of coffee and stood up. Then I took out the silver pendant and handed it to him.

"I'm here to give it back to you."

Jason glanced at the pendant in my hand.

Somehow, his frown deepened with impatience.

To my surprise, he didn't take it.

Did he think it was dirty just because I touched it?

I turned around and placed the pendant on his large desk.

Then, I nodded at him, ready to leave.

"Wait." Jason stopped me, walking toward his desk.

I paused, looking back at him.

"Is there anything else?" I asked.

Jason pointed at the sofa. "Have a seat."

I stood there, frozen for a few seconds.

He shrugged off his jacket but didn't say a word.

But still, I noticed that his hands had clenched into fists.

I said, "Are you wondering if the pairing was successful?"

I was about to tell him that the results weren't out yet.

But the next second, my phone buzzed.

I unlocked it to check the message.

At the same time, Jason's phone buzzed too.

Instantly, I knew what was going on.

He'd been keeping a close eye on the results this whole time.

I couldn't help but smile.

"If there's nothing else, I'll head home and get some rest. Gotta make sure I'm in top shape for the surgery," I said.

Just as I reached for the door to leave, Jason spoke up.

"Sophia, after the transplant, we'll live our life as a real couple," he said.

My hand froze on the doorknob.

What did he just say? He was finally willing to accept me?

But he always claimed that I was the worst woman he had ever met.

And worse... I was done playing this love game with him.

I was exhausted. Truly.

Right now, I didn't even have a single trace of strength left to keep myself going.

Without a word, I just opened the door and left.

Soon, I returned home.

I stewed a chicken before walking out of the kitchen.

Feeling bored out of my mind, I grabbed the remote and switched on the TV.

Eventually, I ended up falling asleep with the TV on and a bowl of chicken soup in my hands.

When I woke up the next morning, I was still lying on the couch.

Everything was quiet inside.

Only the gentle sunlight slipped through the curtains, spilling softly into the room.

This entire villa just felt way too big and empty.

Maybe I should get a cat.

Then, I reached for my phone and started scrolling online.

But after I actually found one I liked, I ended up closing the app.

Seriously? Get myself a cat?

That would be unnecessary.

Owning a cat was a lifelong responsibility, not just something I could do on a whim.