Chapter 3 · My Blood Was Priceless

I asked again, "Let me ask you again. When do I get the money?"

His eyes shifted nervously. "But... you said you didn't want the money before."

I shrugged. "Yeah, well, I changed my mind. Is that a problem?"

He was at a loss for words. "Tiffany, Sophia's treatment is costing a ton already. Let's just forget about the money, okay?

"Besides, once we're married, what's mine will be yours anyway. If you start demanding money now, my parents will like you even less. What if they try to keep us apart?"

I said calmly, "Then we're done."

Ryan looked at me, like he'd just been slapped. "Wait, you're breaking up with me?"

I nodded. "Yes.

"And I'm not donating to your sister."

With that, I turned around and walked off.

Ryan yanked me back, practically shouting, "Tiffany, Sophia's life is on the line. You can't just bail and walk away like it's nothing!"

The hospital entrance was bustling with people, and as soon as he yelled, people started turning to look.

Noticing the attention, Ryan put on a show, his voice getting even louder. "Tiffany, if you want the 150,000 dollars, I'll steal it, I'll rob someone—whatever it takes. But you can't just stand by and let my sister die!

"Please, I'm begging you. Just save her."

As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears, turning red.

He really deserved an Oscar for this.

The crowd started pointing and whispering about me. I caught words like "heartless" and "profiting from tragedy."

I swept my gaze around, my eyes growing colder by the second.

There are always people in this world who love to stand on their moral high horse and judge others. In my previous life, it was this same kind of self-righteous noise that made Dad's health spiral out of control.

I looked at Ryan, unable to hide my disgust as I asked, "Wait, weren't you a match for Sophia too? If you don't want to pay me, why don't you just donate to your sister yourself?"

Ryan suddenly looked nervous. "No, I wasn't a match."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? Wanna go ask the doctor together and see what he says?"

He turned red with anger. He stammered, but couldn't say a thing.

Seeing this, the crowd immediately caught on and started calling Ryan out instead.

Satisfied, I turned and walked into the hospital.

I'd like to see, without me around, how long his "perfect family" act lasted. I doubted they'd all stay so close once I was gone.

In the VIP ward, Lily Easton was asleep in her hospital bed, with her parents watching over her.

When they saw me, they quietly slipped out of the room.

Lily's mom, Edith Easton, said, "Thank you for being willing to save our daughter."

I replied, "No need to thank me. You're paying me, remember?"

She shook her head. "Even though donation is pretty safe nowadays, it's not without risks. There's always a small chance something could go wrong.

"It'll have some impact on your body, but don't worry. We'll make sure you get all the nutrition and care you need during your recovery."

Her honesty surprised me.

I remembered how nervous I felt when the doctor started listing all the risks in my previous life. Ryan's mom just rolled her eyes and said, "It's basically like giving blood. What's the worst that could happen?"

Back then, I was still Ryan's girlfriend.

Yet Edith, who barely even knew me, was upfront about what could happen.

Lily's dad, Carl Easton, didn't waste any time. He just whipped out his phone and transferred the money right then.

"You'll receive 100,000 dollars now, and the remaining 200,000 dollars will be yours after the procedure is complete," he said.

Right in front of them, I checked my bank account. The payment was already there.

We all got what we wanted.

I went through a full day of tests at the hospital before signing the donation consent form.

The doctor said I was in great shape and scheduled me to be admitted next week. I agreed.

I could see the relief on Edith's and Carl's faces.

Before I left, I mentioned Dad's condition to them.

Carl frowned. "Finding a kidney donor... that's not something I can easily arrange."

I nodded. "I understand. The hospital has already put him on the waiting list."

In my previous life, Dad was lucky enough to get matched with a kidney, but sadly, he never made it to the transplant.

"All I'm asking is this—if my dad does get a kidney, could you help me make sure he gets the best surgeon possible?" I said.

He gave me a long, thoughtful look, then nodded.

Chapter 3

I asked again, "Let me ask you again. When do I get the money?"

His eyes shifted nervously. "But... you said you didn't want the money before."

I shrugged. "Yeah, well, I changed my mind. Is that a problem?"

He was at a loss for words. "Tiffany, Sophia's treatment is costing a ton already. Let's just forget about the money, okay?

"Besides, once we're married, what's mine will be yours anyway. If you start demanding money now, my parents will like you even less. What if they try to keep us apart?"

I said calmly, "Then we're done."

Ryan looked at me, like he'd just been slapped. "Wait, you're breaking up with me?"

I nodded. "Yes.

"And I'm not donating to your sister."

With that, I turned around and walked off.

Ryan yanked me back, practically shouting, "Tiffany, Sophia's life is on the line. You can't just bail and walk away like it's nothing!"

The hospital entrance was bustling with people, and as soon as he yelled, people started turning to look.

"Please, I'm begging you. Just save her."

As he spoke, his eyes filled with tears, turning red.

He really deserved an Oscar for this.

The crowd started pointing and whispering about me. I caught words like "heartless" and "profiting from tragedy."

I swept my gaze around, my eyes growing colder by the second.

I looked at Ryan, unable to hide my disgust as I asked, "Wait, weren't you a match for Sophia too? If you don't want to pay me, why don't you just donate to your sister yourself?"

Ryan suddenly looked nervous. "No, I wasn't a match."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, yeah? Wanna go ask the doctor together and see what he says?"

He turned red with anger. He stammered, but couldn't say a thing.

Seeing this, the crowd immediately caught on and started calling Ryan out instead.

Satisfied, I turned and walked into the hospital.

I'd like to see, without me around, how long his "perfect family" act lasted. I doubted they'd all stay so close once I was gone.

In the VIP ward, Lily Easton was asleep in her hospital bed, with her parents watching over her.

When they saw me, they quietly slipped out of the room.

Lily's mom, Edith Easton, said, "Thank you for being willing to save our daughter."

I replied, "No need to thank me. You're paying me, remember?"

She shook her head. "Even though donation is pretty safe nowadays, it's not without risks. There's always a small chance something could go wrong.

"It'll have some impact on your body, but don't worry. We'll make sure you get all the nutrition and care you need during your recovery."

Her honesty surprised me.

Back then, I was still Ryan's girlfriend.

Yet Edith, who barely even knew me, was upfront about what could happen.

Lily's dad, Carl Easton, didn't waste any time. He just whipped out his phone and transferred the money right then.

"You'll receive 100,000 dollars now, and the remaining 200,000 dollars will be yours after the procedure is complete," he said.

Right in front of them, I checked my bank account. The payment was already there.

We all got what we wanted.

I went through a full day of tests at the hospital before signing the donation consent form.

The doctor said I was in great shape and scheduled me to be admitted next week. I agreed.

I could see the relief on Edith's and Carl's faces.

Before I left, I mentioned Dad's condition to them.

Carl frowned. "Finding a kidney donor... that's not something I can easily arrange."

I nodded. "I understand. The hospital has already put him on the waiting list."

In my previous life, Dad was lucky enough to get matched with a kidney, but sadly, he never made it to the transplant.

"All I'm asking is this—if my dad does get a kidney, could you help me make sure he gets the best surgeon possible?" I said.

He gave me a long, thoughtful look, then nodded.