Chapter 3

For several days straight, I holed up in my sister's hospital room, barely stepping outside for anything.

It wasn't until the afternoon of the third day that I finally went down to the payment window on the first floor to settle the medical bills.

As I walked back, I heard a familiar voice around the corner. "You donated blood, gave bone marrow last month, and now you're donating part of your liver?

"Lauren, just because your mom is gone doesn't mean you have to act like a saint.

"A liver donation is no joke. If things go south, there are massive risks."

My feet felt like lead.

Then I heard Lauren's voice. "I'll be fine."

A liver transplant carried huge risks.

I had no idea he'd donated bone marrow and blood recently.

The hospital shouldn't have allowed this.

A wave of unease washed over me, and I found myself zoning out for a moment.

When I snapped back to reality, the voices had faded. They must've left.

I turned the corner, only to suddenly find myself staring into a pair of familiar eyes.

Lauren was still standing there, his cold gaze locked right on me.

It was like he'd known I was coming all along.

I hadn't meant to eavesdrop, but I felt the panic of being caught red-handed.

I scrambled into the elevator.

The tall figure stepped in right behind me.

I heard him let out a soft sneer.

We were the only two in the elevator.

It wasn't crowded, but I felt like I was standing on pins and needles.

My palms were slick with cold sweat.

When the elevator doors finally slid open, I bolted out, almost running for my life.

A detached, sarcastic voice drifted from behind me. "You should really stop doing things you have to feel guilty about. Don't you agree, Miss Morgan?"

I couldn't take another step.

I was rooted to the spot, not daring to turn around.

Regardless of the history, I was the one who owed him.

Lauren stopped pretending. He walked over at a leisurely pace, looking down at me.

I didn't dare meet his eyes.

After a pause, he clicked his tongue. "You took all that money, and this is how you're living."

I panicked, desperate to leave. "Sorry, I have to go."

I tried to rush past, but he grabbed my wrist.

This was the man who used to worry about my health, afraid to hold me too tightly.

Now, there was no mercy in his grip.

My wrist throbbed. I looked down, trying to shove him away, and caught sight of the back of his hand.

It was covered in a web of hideous, terrifying scars.

I couldn't fathom how he'd sustained them.

My mind went blank for a second.

Lauren quickly pulled his hand back, letting out a cold, mocking laugh. "I heard your sister killed a man overseas.

"She came crawling back here for a transplant.

"I'm curious to know what kind of fool would unknowingly donate an organ to a murderer."

I snapped my head up.

He ran a pharmaceutical company and worked with hospitals.

It wasn't strange for him to hear about my sister.

But there was no way he knew he was the donor.

If he did, he wouldn't be acting like this.

I tried to stay calm, but sweat drenched my back.

Lauren looked at me, like he was watching me fall apart and actually enjoying it.

After a moment, he let out a mocking snort. "Why are you panicking? It's not like I'm going to stop the guy from donating to you."

I didn't dare stay a second longer.

I turned and hurried back to the hospital room.

Just then, Richard Wilson, director of Hepatobiliary Department, walked toward us.

He looked surprised as he glanced at the person behind me. "Professor Bennett? What brings you here? Do you and Miss Morgan know each other?"

Lauren's voice carried a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Just an old friend. How is her sister?"

Richard Wilson didn't suspect a thing, answering warmly, "You should have told me! She's stable. We'll do the transplant next month."

Lauren asked casually, "Has the donor cleared his vitals?"

"He checks in on the 29th," Richard replied. "The screening files are with the Chief. I haven't even checked them yet. Let me pull it up..."

I spun around.

They were just stepping into the elevator, and I saw Richard pulling out his phone as the doors slowly started to close.

Without thinking, I lunged forward like a madwoman, blocking the doors.

Richard stared at me, completely stunned.

All I could feel was pure terror, and before my mind could catch up, my voice broke out in a desperate scream. "No... don't show it to him!"

Lauren's gaze snapped to me.

The warmth in his eyes faded, replaced by icy indifference as he caught the panic in my expression.

With how smart he was, it was obvious he'd already guessed the truth.

His eyes grew colder, the chill in them deepening.

He turned to Richard. "Did you say he checks in on the 29th?"

It wasn't meant to be classified, but the Richard realized something was wrong.

He clamped his mouth shut, looking panicked.

I forced myself to sound calm. "Lauren, don't try to dig up the donor's info just to stop this. That's a breach of privacy."

Lauren's gaze landed on my face, sharp as a blade.