Chapter 3

It had been three years, over a thousand days and nights.

That was enough time for a helpless newborn to grow into a little girl who could run, jump, and talk up a storm, and it was enough time for a desperate housewife, thrown out with nothing, to become someone entirely new.

Two months after the divorce was finalized, I gave birth to my daughter, Annie. She was healthy, always laughing, and she had my eyes.

Rachel took care of everything during those first weeks of recovery. Once I was back on my feet, I split my time between the baby and studying around the clock.

Six months later, I passed the bar exam, scoring fifty points above the cutoff.

A year after that, I joined Rachel's law firm as an intern.

I worked as if my life depended on it, and I always pursued the toughest cases, such as divorce litigation, asset division, and custody battles.

Every woman trapped in a bad marriage reminded me of who I used to be. I fought tooth and nail for every one of them, and in the process, I built a reputation for myself.

By the third year, I bought a penthouse in the best part of the city with money I earned myself.

Rachel and I went from employer-employee to full partners at the firm.

I bought my parents a new house back home and hired the best caregiver I could find.

My life revolved around work and Annie.

On Annie's third birthday, Rachel watched the little girl race across the lawn and shook her head in admiration. "Aurora, you are the most badass woman I have ever met."

I smiled. What choice did I have? No one stood behind me, so I couldn't afford to fall.

Linda stood in front of me now, sobbing so hard her voice had gone raw.

She held a disability certificate high above her head like it was some get-out-of-jail-free card.

"Aurora, I know I was wrong. I'm sorry. Please, I'm begging you." She broke down sobbing before she even finished.

Neighbors and security guards started crowding in, whispering and pointing.

I stared at her, expressionless. "Your son's crippled, so go find a doctor. Or go pray to God. Why are you coming to me? I'm not a surgeon, and I'm not a saint."

My voice was low, but every word carried.

Linda's sobbing hitched, and she looked up at me in disbelief. "Aurora, how can you be so heartless? Victor is Annie's father!"

There it was. She finally said it.

Annie's father. It was the funniest thing I'd heard in years, and I laughed before I could stop myself.

I sneered, "Oh, so you remember he's Annie's father now, Linda?

"Three years ago, you wrapped a rope around your neck and threatened to kill yourself unless we got divorced. You called the baby inside me a waste of money. Where was all this 'father' talk then?

"When Victor signed those papers without a second thought and threw his pregnant wife out on the street, did he think about being a father?

"In three years, has either one of you come to see Annie? Even once? Have you sent her a single dollar?"

With each question, the color drained a little more from Linda's face.

Her lips trembled, but nothing came out.

I stepped forward and looked down at her. "My daughter's name is Annie Wynn. She has a mother, a godmother, and grandparents who love her.

"On her birth certificate, the line for 'father' is blank. So take your sob story somewhere else and stop wasting my time."

I turned without another glance and headed for the stairs.

"Don't go!" Linda threw herself at me like a woman possessed, locking both arms around my leg.

Her grip was terrifyingly strong. "You can't abandon us, Aurora. Victor needs a kidney. He'll die without one!"

And just like that, the truth came out.

I stopped mid-step as everything clicked into place. So that was what this was really about.

Three years ago, I walked out of my marriage with nothing. Nothing except one thing.

It was a signed organ donation agreement I'd drawn up before the wedding, along with a compatibility report for Victor and me.

The results showed my kidney was a perfect match for his.

I'd had the tests done because he drank so heavily for work, and I wanted to be ready if his body ever gave out on him.

Looking back, the irony stung.

Linda was still on the ground, sobbing. "The doctor said your kidney is the best match. Please, I'm begging you. Save him. I'll do anything you want."

I reached down and peeled her fingers off me, one by one.

Then I looked her straight in the eyes and spoke slowly, making sure she heard every single word.

"Is that so? Then go die. Once you're dead, I'll donate."