Chapter 2

Disappointment dripped from every word. Maya seemed to notice, grabbing my sleeve tightly.

From the moment she forced me into this car, I knew who truly mattered to her.

No matter how much I gave, even if I laid down my life, I would never measure up to Ryan.

For the next few hours, I stayed silent. The black SUVs boxed us in. My elderly parents were in the backseat, completely at Maya's mercy. I couldn't run.

Whatever the test results showed, my marriage to Maya was over.

The driver pulled up in front of a rusted, abandoned warehouse with heavy iron gates. The second the car doors opened, several burly men surrounded us.

"We're taking him in first. Make sure you wire the rest of the payment."

Maya stood frozen, silent. My parents were shoved back into the car by armed guards. If I fought back, they'd hurt my parents. My only desperate prayer was that my blood and tissue didn't match Ryan's.

I was dragged down into a filthy underground operating room. The air reeked of mildew and blood. Inside an open medical supply box on a metal counter, rats scurried around cotton swabs.

The shady surgeon took my blood, glancing at me with a smirk.

"I've been in this business a long time, but this is the first time I've seen a wife sell out her own husband."

"That little lady out there is ruthless. She even held your folks hostage so you wouldn't bolt."

I said nothing. Every syllable was a dagger twisting in my gut. When the thick needle pierced my vein, pain shot up my arm, turning my face ghostly pale.

Two hours later, the results were in.

A perfect match.

When Maya heard the news, her face lit up with pure joy. She grabbed the surgeon's hand, practically begging him to harvest my kidney immediately.

I stared at the woman I had shared a bed with for five years in utter disbelief. At that moment, every ounce of love I had for her turned to ash.

"Maya! Logan has treated you like a queen all these years! How could you do this to him?!"

My mother broke free from the car and ran toward us, only for a bodyguard to yank her by the hair, throwing her to the ground.

"Get your hands off my mom!" I screamed, lunging forward, but it was useless. Two thugs tackled me, tying my hands and feet before dragging me toward the basement OR.

Throughout it all, Maya watched with cold indifference. "Logan, I'm sorry. If you weren't a match, I wouldn't have forced you. But the doctor said your kidney can save Ryan. I can't let him die!"

"The surgery will be quick, don't worry! I asked the doctor—you can live a normal life with one kidney. You won't die!"

"Babe, don't hate me. I love you so much. Once Ryan is out of danger, I will give you anything you want."

Her hollow promises shredded whatever was left of my heart.

"Save your breath. The moment this is over, we're getting a divorce."

Maya froze. Her eyes went wide, tears spilling down her cheeks. "Logan, I know you're mad. I know I crossed the line, but I had no choice!"

"Don't say things you don't mean! Once Ryan and you both heal, we'll go back to our happy life."

"Didn't you always want kids? I'll give them to you! As many as you want, okay?!"

Her voice trembled as she tried to clutch my hand.

The surgeon tapped his watch impatiently. "Are we doing this or what?"