Chapter 2

I opened my eyes, the blinding operating lights searing into my pupils.

My whole body ached as if someone had sliced me open, inch by agonizing inch.

I tried to move, but my hands were strapped tightly to the operating table.

The anesthesia had worn off.

I could distinctly feel the cold scalpel carving its third incision across my lower abdomen.

Tears blurred my vision, and I strained my head, desperately looking toward the observation window.

Through the glass, I saw him.

Julian Knight, my husband, stood there, his arm wrapped around a woman.

That woman was my stepsister, Serena Hayes.

He pointed at my body, saying something to the lead surgeon.

His voice crackled through the intercom: "Take the uterus and kidney together. No scars. They're for Serena later."

I froze.

What was he saying?

I tried to scream, but a nurse’s hand clamped over my mouth.

The nurse looked at me coldly: "Ms. Hayes, don't struggle. Mrs. Knight said your life was salvaged from that car accident because you shielded her daughter. Now it's time to return what's rightfully hers."

Return what's rightfully hers?

My mind roared, and the scene of that car accident five years ago suddenly flashed before me.

It was a stormy night. My stepmother and I had argued, and she'd thrown me out of the house.

Julian Knight's car pulled up to the driveway. He smiled at me and said, "Need a ride? I can drop you off at school."

I got in.

As the car drove to the outskirts, an out-of-control truck suddenly veered towards us.

I remember him sharply turning the steering wheel and shoving me toward the passenger door.

The door flew open on impact, and I was thrown out.

Then, I remembered nothing.

When I woke up, I was in a hospital bed, that memory erased.

Julian Knight sat by my bed, gently holding my hand: "You took the brunt of the crash for Serena. She's so grateful."

I thought it was an accident.

I thought he had saved me.

For five years, he had been meticulously devoted, showering me with care and concern.

I thought it was love.

It wasn’t.

That car crash wasn't an accident. He had pushed me out of the car himself.

These five years of tenderness were nothing but a twisted game of cultivating my organs.

The operating lights swam before my eyes, and Serena Hayes’ sickly sweet voice drifted into my ears.

"Thank you for dying for me, sis. Next life, remember to stay far away from what's mine."

I tried to speak, but only muffled whimpers escaped my throat.

Julian Knight turned, his gaze passing through the glass to me.

His eyes were terrifyingly calm, as if he were looking at an item about to be scrapped.

I struggled desperately, the straps biting into my wrists.

The lead surgeon picked up the scalpel, ready to continue cutting into my abdomen.

I felt the icy touch of the blade against my skin.

It hurt.

It hurt so much.

I wanted to beg, to scream for them to stop, but I couldn't even make a sound.

Large tears streamed down my face, splattering onto the white surgical sheet.

Julian Knight remained expressionless behind the observation window.

Serena Hayes leaned on his shoulder, smiling exquisitely.

I closed my eyes, refusing to look at them anymore.

The scalpel sliced into my body, inch by inch, and the scent of blood filled the air.

I felt my life slowly draining away.

My consciousness grew hazy, and the voices faded into the distance.

In my final moments, I had only one thought.

If I could do it again, I would never have gotten into his car.

Then, everything went black.