I struggled to open my eyes, each breath causing a sharp pain in my right side. The blood-soaked bandages clung to my wound, and any movement sent a searing agony through me. Time seemed to crawl, but neither Calvin nor my father returned.

Late into the night, the door hinges creaked as someone gently pushed open the door to my hospital room. Yara Tucker entered cautiously and, upon seeing me, tears filled her eyes. "Miss Emory..."

She pulled a thermos from under her coat and helped me sit up against the headboard. "How can they leave you all alone, with your wound getting infected..."

She turned away to wipe her tears. I parted my cracked lips, my throat burning. "Yara, please... don't cry."

She spun around quickly, her hands trembling as she opened the thermos and ladled out some steaming chicken soup. "Don't talk, Miss Emory, just eat something."

She blew on the soup to cool it and brought it to my lips. Seeing my difficulty swallowing, she dabbed the corners of my mouth with a handkerchief, her voice quivering: "Calvin, that heartless man, is marrying Teresa in three days. Everyone's saying..."

Her voice faltered, and it took a moment before she continued. "He's spreading lies about you being unfaithful, entangled with several men, and that’s why someone powerful abducted you at his wedding to steal your kidney..."

Calvin concocted countless vile rumors, painting me as deserving of disgrace. Those who once blessed our union now reviled my alleged "scandal."

"Come with me!" Yara suddenly grabbed my hand. "I've saved up some money. You can come back to my hometown with me, away from these monsters."

I shook my head. "There's no escaping this. You should go. If they find you, they won't let you off."

The pain intensified, and darkness clouded my vision. In my final moments of consciousness, Yara clung tightly to my hand, refusing to let go.

When I opened my eyes again, the morning light streamed through the window. Calvin stood at my bedside.

"Awake?" he asked.

He reached out to touch my face, but I turned away. His hand hovered awkwardly before he pulled back, frowning.

"Emory, Teresa isn't doing well. Her only wish is to wear a wedding dress. I want to marry her to fulfill that wish."

"You know that if it weren't for her asking her mother to take me in all those years ago, I would have starved on the streets. I'm just trying to repay her kindness. You understand, right?"

I stared at his deceitful face, the pain in my wound intense, yet not as piercing as the ache in my heart.

"So you took my kidney, ruined my reputation?"

"I gave you everything—my love, my savings. And this is how you repay me?"

Calvin's eyes widened in alarm.

"You—how do you know? Were you eavesdropping?"

He suddenly grabbed my wrist, speaking rapidly in his panic:

"Emory, it's not what you think. You're misunderstanding me."

"I never meant to harm you. The debt of saving a life is overwhelming, and I had no choice. Asking you directly to donate an organ—given your nature, you would have definitely said no. My hands were tied..."

His grip tightened, desperation deepening in his voice. "I've talked it over with your dad. As soon as Teresa recovers, we'll set up our wedding. I promise, you're the only one I love."

I forced a bitter smile, tasting the blood on my lips.

"You know I've been weak since I was a kid, relying on medicine to get by. You planned to take my kidney—were you trying to kill me?"

At this, anger flashed in his eyes, and any lingering guilt disappeared.

"It's just a kidney. Why are you making such a big deal out of this? Isn't it a noble act to save Teresa with yours?"

"And besides, I vowed to take care of you for the rest of your life. Let's not blow this out of proportion."

His words left me speechless, a loud ringing filling my head.

Just then, the hospital room door swung open and Myra walked in with my father, Danny, beside her.

"Emory, since you know everything now, there's no point in hiding it. We owe you a debt of gratitude. Thanks to your kidney, Teresa is healthy again."

Before I could say anything, she turned to my father, her voice soft and coaxing:

"Danny, weren't you the one who promised to give Teresa and me our rightful place? Once we're officially united, the Reyes family will be in our corner, and securing those projects in the West End will be child's play."

"But Emory will need to be removed from the family registry and leave the West family."

A sharp pain pierced my heart.

My mother died believing she was cherished, blind to the betrayal by the man she trusted.

My father hesitated for a moment, then suddenly stepped forward, his hand tightening around my throat, his eyes full of scorn.

"Remember, from today, you're no longer a West."

I groaned in pain, but heard him murmur:

"This is just temporary. Once the Reyes funds are fully invested, I'll bring you back."

Myra chuckled, "Danny, there's so much to plan for Teresa and Calvin's wedding. We should head out."

Before my father could respond, she was already leading him out, glancing at Calvin, "What are you waiting for?"

Calvin hesitated, then hurriedly followed.

At the doorway, he turned back, his eyes lingering on my blood-stained bandage, a hint of regret visible.

"Emory, focus on your recovery."

With that, the three of them left the room.

The door slammed shut, leaving me to stare at the empty space they left behind, pain engulfing me, unable to tell if it was from my physical injuries or my broken heart.