Chapter 2

The next morning, while I was still "asleep," nurses wheeled me into the operating room.

The surgical lights blazed, and cold instruments hummed faintly around me.

Through a glass wall, I could vaguely see their anxious waiting figures.

Eleanor covered her mouth, her eyes red, performing a show of deep mother-daughter affection.

Serena, nestled beside her, couldn't hide the triumph curving her lips.

Dr. Wyatt put on his mask, picked up the scalpel, and gave a reassuring gesture to Arthur Valerius through the glass.

"Prepare the anesthesia."

Cold liquid flowed into my veins. I took one last look at that family.

Then, my consciousness plunged completely into darkness.

…

"It's a success! The surgery was a complete success!"

I don't know how much time passed before I was "awakened" by a burst of ecstatic shouts.

Of course, I wasn't truly awake.

My body had already been declared "massive intraoperative hemorrhage, resuscitation failed."

At this moment, the "me" was merely a detached consciousness, an observer.

I saw Caleb Valerius wheeled out of the operating room, all his monitoring instruments showing normal readings.

Eleanor saw her son emerge and immediately rushed forward.

"Caleb, my Caleb! You're finally well!"

Arthur Valerius, for once, allowed a rare hint of a smile. He fought back tears as he clapped Dr. Wyatt on the shoulder.

"Thank you."

Serena was even more excited, practically jumping up and down.

"That's wonderful! Caleb is fine!"

The whole family gathered around Caleb, celebrating his new lease on life.

Meanwhile, in another operating room, my body was slowly growing cold.

No one cared.

In fact, as Eleanor passed the gurney carrying my "body," she averted her gaze in disgust, as if even a glance would bring bad luck.

"Mom, what's that?"

Serena suddenly pointed to the bedside table in my old hospital room.

There was an envelope there.

It was in my handwriting.

It read: To my dear Parents.

Eleanor frowned, a look of revulsion on her face as she picked it up and tore it open.

Arthur Valerius and Serena also leaned in, curious.

The letter contained only a few short lines:

\[Dad, Mom, thank you for finding me and giving me the chance to give my heart to my brother.

Actually, I had already been diagnosed with heart failure when I was in the countryside. Doctors said I wouldn't live three months.

Now, to use this useless heart to buy my brother a lifetime of health is my greatest honor.

Goodbye, I love you.

The letter fluttered to the floor.

Eleanor's face instantly went ashen, her lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.

Arthur Valerius snatched the letter, reread it several times, then ripped it to shreds.

"Nonsense! This is impossible! Dr. Wyatt clearly said the heart was perfect!"

He roared, as if grasping at a last straw.

"Quick! Get Wyatt over here!"

Just then, in Caleb Valerius's room, a piercing alarm suddenly blared!

"Beep—beep—beep—"

The heartbeat curve on the monitor slowly dropped, then flattened into a straight line.

A young nurse scrambled out, her voice shaking uncontrollably:

"Mr. Valerius! It's bad!"

"Young Master Caleb… he has no heartbeat!"