Chapter 1

Right before I gave my kidney to save my mother, I happened to see the transplant match numbers floating above everyone's heads.

Above my sister, the one who'd been doted on all her life, was 80%.

Above my twin brother, born only minutes apart from me, was 85%.

I blinked, not believing it, and found an excuse to go to the restroom.

Only to see that above my own head sat just 60%.

My whole body went rigid. I told myself it had to be pre-surgery nerves, some hallucination.

Then I heard my mother, her voice low, warning my sister and brother.

"Not a word about the match numbers, do you hear me!"

"Leonora Walker's getting married soon. I won't drag her down."

"And Rupert Walker's a man. He can't go ruining his body over me!"

After all that tenderness, when she finally brought me up, there was only one line left.

"That one's husband cheated on her anyway, and the baby in her belly's about to be gone. Giving up one kidney is no big deal for her."

The words were sharp, like a needle driven straight into my heart.

To trick her into agreeing to the transplant, I'd deliberately put on an act with my husband, Clyde Farley, and I'd nearly aborted the only firstborn grandchild of the Farley family.

I never imagined I was the child with the lowest match in the whole family.

Then this kidney? I'm not giving it.

1

"Secretary Chavez, send a car for me now."

Staring at that clear 60% above my head, I called Ivan Chavez.

A bitter smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

"Right away, Mrs. Walker. I'll have a car come for you."

"Should I contact Mr. Farley?"

"...Not yet."

I thought of Clyde, whose overseas acquisition had reached its critical stage.

After a few seconds' hesitation, I said no.

I hung up and slid the phone into my bag.

【Aria's Pregnancy Log Group】

A text popped up.

【Aria, did you get rid of the baby?】

【I don't mean anything by it. I just know your donation surgery is coming up, and I want to build your strength back.】

【Aria, please don't read too much into it!】

My mother-in-law sent one message after another.

When I still didn't reply, she finally just wired over a million.

【Aria, this is a little something from me.】

【Buy yourself plenty of the things you like to eat.】

I held my phone, and my eyes went damp before I could stop them.

Seven years married to Clyde, and I'd put my career first and never had a child.

The Farleys never once pushed me.

Even this time, when I insisted on aborting the baby so I could donate a kidney to my mother.

They quietly supported me too.

The laughable part was my own birth mother.

She'd lied to me, out of nothing but favoritism.

【Mom, I'm keeping the baby.】

I typed fast and had just sent the message.

When the restroom door was pounded hard.

"Aria Walker, what are you doing in there?!"

"Don't tell me you've changed your mind about giving Mom a kidney?!"

"You're the only one of us three who matches. You can't back out now!"

Rupert's voice came through, thick with impatience.

I reached out and opened the door, and without a word, I slapped him across the face.

"Rupert, I'm your older sister. Watch how you speak to me!"

Rupert froze from the slap, fury in his eyes.

He was about to hit me back when Leonora yanked him away.

"Don't be angry, Aria. Rupert was just worried something might happen to you in there."

"After all, it's almost time for the miscarriage—"

"I'm not going through with the miscarriage."

I cut Leonora off, saying it flat and plain.

"And I won't be donating the kidney either."

"What?"

"Aria, what are you saying?"

"You're the only one who matches. If you don't donate, what happens to Mom?"

"Do you want to just stand there and watch Mom suffer until it kills her?"

Leonora wiped at her tears and shouted the words out.

The ward door wasn't shut all the way, and the other patients crowded close, muttering their outrage.

"What an ungrateful wretch!"

"Raising a child like that would be enough to drop you dead!"

"Not a shred of devotion. Someone like that ought to get hit by a car the second she steps outside!"

Every cursing word carried into my ears.

I looked again at the 80% and 85% floating above their heads.

And said it calmly.

"I'm going to contact the county hospital and pull up your transplant match results."