Chapter 2

While I was still drowning in sorrow, a pair of warm, large hands gently wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes and pulled me into an embrace.

"Don't be afraid. I'm right here. Are the wounds still hurting? I've already asked the doctor to prepare special painkillers for you."

"I found a world-class specialist who can perform skin graft surgery. I promise you'll get your beautiful body back. Just take a short nap, and everything will be back to the way it was."

I felt the warmth of his chest, just like every time he used to comfort me whenever I was sad.

Yet all I could feel now was an icy chill. The man holding me was a total stranger.

I took a deep breath and looked up at him with pleading eyes. "Alexander, can I really go back to how I was? Will I ever see again? And where is Chloe? I..."

I still wanted to test our worth in his heart, begging for a shred of conscience to save my daughter and me.

I was wrong. The next second, his entire body stiffened. His tone turned sharp as he cut me off. "Enough! You're a mother now, and we've been married for so long. Do you still not trust me? Do you think you're still a young girl who needs to obsess over looks? Don't teach Chloe to be so vain."

Seeing how pale my face was, he finally realized his tone was harsh. He softened slightly, stroking my hair. "Be good. I'm here, so there's nothing to fear. I will never abandon you. Just sleep, and it will all be over. Let's be brave and set a good example for Chloe, okay?"

Could a single nap really erase everything that happened? Of course not. Waking up would only bring deeper grief and more deceit.

I closed my eyes, only feeling Alexander press a kiss against my forehead.

Then, a needle pierced into my skin from somewhere unseen, and my consciousness began to slip away into a haze.

Blinding surgical lights bore down on my body, dazzling my already blurred eyes.

In that moment, I could only feel the life draining from my veins, cold metal instruments digging inside me, and the distinct smell of burning flesh rushing into my nose.

Next to me, there seemed to be another person undergoing surgery. But that person radiated pure warmth and joy.

I knew she was the next owner of my kidney—Mia. Tears silently streamed down my face once more.

The surgery went smoothly. Heavy layers of bandages were wrapped around my waist and abdomen, standing between my body like the endless barriers between our feelings.

"Chelsea, you were so brave. Whatever you need, just tell me and I'll do it for you. Be careful not to let the wound get infected."

"If our Chloe knew, she would be so proud of her mother. Oh, right, I also adopted a little boy named Leo. He's a brave little man. Don't worry, we'll always protect you. We won't leave you alone in the dark. We'll give you strength."

He couldn't even wait to introduce Leo to me. The radiant happiness around him was probably because his real family was finally reunited.

In the past, I would have thought he was a dependable husband, cherishing the warmth of our family. But now, I could clearly hear the wavering hesitation in his voice and the cold indifference beneath it.

Love and the lack of it were so obvious. Not only was I going blind, but my heart had been blind, completely ignoring all the lies.

Perhaps the anesthesia hadn't fully worn off. The moment I closed my eyes, I sank back into a heavy sleep.

When I woke up again, the room was empty.

I sat up, gritting my teeth against the searing agony tearing across my abdomen, and set out to search for my daughter's room.

The sound of laughter from the room next door immediately caught my attention.