Chapter 1

By my fifth year married to Edward Grant, after eight failed IVF rounds, I finally got pregnant—with twins.

But just four months into my pregnancy, Nina Thompson, the woman Edward could never get over, was diagnosed with kidney failure and flew back from overseas for treatment.

From then on, Edward stopped coming home after work. He spent his nights at the hospital instead.

The parenting books on his desk were soon replaced by medical ones.

One day, after disappearing for a while, Edward suddenly came home. He was thrilled, wrapping his arms around me.

He said, "Allison, you're my lucky star. Out of thousands tested, only you and Nina are a match.

"If you donate your kidney, she'll live."

I thought I'd misheard him. Carefully, I asked, "You mean... you want me to end my pregnancy to give Nina a kidney?"

Edward was still lost in his excitement. "We can always try for another baby," he said. "Nina's health comes first."

I stared at Edward in disbelief; his excitement, mixed with such heartless words, made me wonder if he even knew what he was saying.

But Edward didn't notice the shock on my face—he just kept talking, "Once Nina gets your kidney, she'll be as good as new."

My head was buzzing.

I looked him straight in the eye, just to make sure I heard him right. "You're really asking me to give my kidney to Nina?"

Edward tapped my nose lightly, not bothered at all. "That's my clever, sweet wife. Nina was actually worried you'd refuse because of the pregnancy."

When did I ever say I agreed to this?

My voice shook with anger. "I went through hell to get pregnant, and you want me to give up my babies for Nina?"

Edward saw how serious I was, and a flash of impatience crossed his eyes.

"Don't be so emotional, okay?" he said. "We don't even know what the babies would look like, but Nina's been part of my life for over twenty years. You want me to just let her die?"

Panic, disappointment, and helplessness crashed over me all at once. I was so overwhelmed, my legs buckled and I collapsed onto the couch.

There was no trace of worry or care in Edward's eyes—just impatient urgency as he hauled me up from the couch.

"Don't just sit there. We need to get to the hospital—there are a bunch of tests waiting," he ordered.

He dragged me off the couch, not caring that I was only in flimsy pajamas.

As we reached the doorway, I clung desperately to the doorframe.

"You seriously expect me to go outside dressed like this?" I said.

Edward snapped out of it with a half-hearted "Oh," then just grabbed a coat and threw it over my shoulders, barely paying attention.

"You're already four months pregnant and as heavy as a cow. Doesn't matter what you wear," he joked.

Then he flashed the smile that used to make my heart race. "Not like I'd ever be bothered by it."

But I could clearly see the contempt in his eyes, even as he claimed he wouldn't be bothered by my weight.

Right then, the beautiful wedding photo on the wall felt like a cruel joke.

I used to be a gorgeous bride with a slim figure and a heart full of happiness.

But after popping all those fertility meds just to get pregnant, I had a waist like a barrel.

The car sped down the street, and in no time, we pulled up to the hospital where Nina was staying.

Doctors, nurses, and even some patients said hello to us as we walked in.

They all recognized Edward because he was the largest shareholder in the hospital.

And as for me, everyone pretty much knew me as the woman who'd stuck it out through the most IVF attempts—and racked up the most failures—in the whole hospital.

We walked straight into Lucas Goodman's office—he was both the chief doctor and Edward's friend. Edward skipped all the pleasantries. "Allison and Nina are a match for the kidney transplant. Schedule the surgery as soon as possible."

Lucas was mid-sip when he heard that—he actually spat his water out. "Edward, do you even hear yourself right now?"

Edward's cold face twisted into a look of disdain. "I know you're not the sharpest, but I didn't think you were also deaf.

"I want you to schedule an abortion for Allison. She's donating her kidney to Nina."

Lucas's jaw dropped as he stared at Edward, eyes wide with disbelief.

I knew exactly why he was so stunned.

I had gone through eight rounds of IVF and endured countless egg retrievals to get pregnant. Clearly, there was no way I could give up my babies so easily.

"Did Allison agree to this?" Lucas pressed on, unwilling to give up.

"It doesn't matter whether she agrees," Edward replied coldly.

His attitude made my heart plummet again.

All my patience and tolerance over these five years had given him the false impression that my opinion didn't matter.