Chapter 1

My boyfriend, Liam Tatum said, "Estella, when you die… could you donate your corneas?"

I stared at him, and thought this day had finally come.

I replied, "Oh? To give them to that 'Chloe' you keep talking about?"

He froze, completely thrown off, and asked how I knew.

I closed my eyes. Suddenly, all the confusion I had made sense.

The so-called love at first sight he had for me? It was all premeditated from the start.

I told him to get out.

Half a year later, after I finally got my heart transplant, I ran into that girl named Chloe.

*****

"Estella, when you're gone, could you leave your corneas to me?" Liam's voice echoed in my mind. "Estella! Give them to me, okay?"

I jolted awake, gasping for air, my heart pounding in my chest.

My hand went to my chest. Feeling my heart beat strong and steady, I let myself breathe easy.

I'd recovered, and wasn't the broken Estella anymore. No one could hurt me now, not even Liam.

Since I was already awake, I got up and started getting ready. I had a routine check-up at the hospital today.

Right now, nothing mattered more than my health. I was so grateful to the person who donated their heart to me.

Even though I didn't know who they were, what their name was, or where they lived, I truly hoped they had passed away peacefully, and that their family would stay safe and healthy.

The hospital was always buzzing with people, whether one was in the clinic or up in the wards.

When my doctor said I was in great shape, I actually found the hospital kind of endearing. After all, this place gave me my life back.

When I went to pick up my meds, two names were called at the same time.

"Estella Hodge, please come to counter 2 to pick up your medication," the voice announced.

"Chloe Irving, please come to counter 3 to pick up your medication," another voice called out.

Maybe it was because I knew the name all too well, and nearly hated it, but I couldn't help but glance over.

And just like that, our eyes met.

Just one look and I knew she was the Chloe Liam was always talking about.

So her real name was Chloe Irving. The way Liam said her name, all sweet and affectionate, made me feel sick.

He called my name sweetly when he was with me in my hospital room, but the moment he was out the door, the name on his lips switched to Chloe.

Chloe looked me up and down, then smirked, her eyes full of challenge. Clearly, she knew who I was and didn't bother to hide it.

After picking up her meds, she waited nearby with her arms crossed. "Wow, you're a tough one, huh? Not only did you beat your illness, you look healthier than ever."

I didn't say a word.

She went on. "If you'd just kicked the bucket earlier, I could've gotten my corneas ages ago. But no, I had to wait forever. The only reason you're standing here is because I found another donor. Otherwise, I'd have made your life a living hell."

I never expected someone who was after my corneas to be so brazen. Even if I had died back then, there was no way I'd ever let her get her hands on them.

I packed up my meds and looked at her. This was the first time I'd seen the Chloe Liam was always talking about. She was the whole reason he got close to me in the first place.

"So, Liam couldn't get you the corneas you wanted, and you kicked him to the curb?" I asked.

She stared at me, her gaze complicated, full of emotions I couldn't read.

"As if. He's just away on business. He and I had been together for years. Nothing could ever come between us. If it wasn't for your corneas, do you really think he'd even look twice at you?" she said.

I gave her a cold smile. "Trash belongs with trash. Hope you two are stuck together for life and leave the rest of us alone."

Without bothering to look at her face, I just walked away.

Her voice rang out behind me. "Estella, don't think you're anything special just because you got a second chance at life. We had you wrapped around our fingers from the start. Face it—Liam will always love me."

I sneered inwardly. As if I'd ever fall for a guy who wanted to carve me up for spare parts. All I feel for him now was hatred and disgust.

*****

Liam and I first met right outside the hospital. I'd just found out I had a heart problem, and my head was spinning, still trying to process the news.

As I was leaving, I accidentally bumped into his car. He got out to check on me, and everything just hit me at once. I started crying uncontrollably.

He thought I was hurt, so he scooped me up and rushed me back into the hospital for a check-up.

Even though I turned out to be fine, he still gave me his number and said I could call him anytime if I needed help.

The second time we ran into each other was at a different hospital. Deep down, I was clinging to the hope that my diagnosis was just a mistake, so I went for another check-up.

When Liam spotted me there, he thought something was wrong and insisted on coming with me to see the doctor. But unfortunately, the results didn't change.

I ended up sitting in the lobby for what felt like forever, my legs practically numb. And when I finally glanced up, he was still there.

Right then, all I wanted was to spill my guts to someone kind, a total stranger who'd just listen.

I told him everything: my rough childhood, how hard life had been, and how just when I thought things might finally get better, life hit me with the worst blow yet. The words just tumbled out before I could stop them.