2
The sudden incident caught everyone off guard.
No one expected the engagement party to turn out like this.
The manager rushed over to apologize, but Orion ignored him, focusing solely on me. I used to be so delicate, but even after being publicly humiliated, I didn’t say a word. Instead, I instinctively blurted out: “I’m sorry, Mr. Orion.”
Contrary to feeling triumphant, Orion felt a blockage in his heart. “You let someone like her in on my engagement day. If you want me to let it go, you must fire her!” Hearing Orion wanted me fired, I quickly raised my head: “No! I… I need this job…”
“Orion, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been here. Please don’t make the manager fire me…” Seeing my teary eyes, Orion smirked maliciously: “A heartless woman like you doesn’t deserve anything!” “If you’re so desperate for money, I can introduce you to some patrons. Guaranteed
income!”
I stared in disbelief at Orion, who was now slut–shaming me. The shame and anger made me cry instantly: “Orion, you’re too much…” Seeing my tears, Orion’s previous arrogance was replaced with panic. He almost instinctively wanted to wipe my tears as he did three years ago.
However, the next moment, Celeste clutched her right eye and whimpered: “Orion, my eye hurts…” Hearing Celeste’s voice snapped Orion
back to reality.
Concerned, he picked her up: “Celeste, is your eye acting up again? I’ll take you to the hospital right away!” As they passed by me, gritted his teeth and spat: “Nora, I’ll get back everything you owe me!”
Orion
After Orion left, the engagement party ended abruptly. The manager, not wanting to offend Orion, immediately fired me. No matter how much I begged, the manager shook his head repeatedly: “Nora, do you realize who you’ve offended? That’s Orion! We can’t afford to offend him, you’d better find another job!”
Clutching the crumpled three hundred dollars, I wandered aimlessly through the streets. The cold wind made me shiver, as if placing me back on the cold operating table from three years ago. As my vision blurred, my legs gave way, and I collapsed on the street.
When I woke up, I was in the hospital. My brother, Quentin, helped me sit up, his eyes filled with fear: “Sis, how did you end up like this? Didn’t I tell you not to worry about money? I can work more jobs, you just need to focus on getting better.”
“Sis, I heard everything. Orion is such a jerk, aren’t you going to tell him the truth?”
I weakly shook my head.
10:24
<
Since I made my decision three years ago, I never intended to turn back.
Three years ago, Orion was diagnosed with kidney failure, and only a kidney transplant could save him.
But the hospital had a shortage of kidneys, and Orion couldn’t get one. To save him, I secretly donated a kidney.
I knew him well enough to know that if he found out I nearly exchanged my life for his, he wouldn’t accept the donation. So, I pretended I didn’t want to be burdened by him and disappeared after he was hospitalized.
In reality, I was preparing for his kidney transplant. But due to my weak constitution, I developed chronic renal failure after the surgery.
I didn’t want Orion to live with guilt, so after being discharged, I left for three years. Because of the need for dialysis, Quentin and I lived frugally, even working multiple jobs. That’s why I was working as a waitress at Orion’s engagement party.
After waking up, despite Quentin’s protests, I insisted on being discharged. We simply couldn’t afford to stay in a top–tier hospital. However, just as Quentin was helping me out, we ran into Orion and Celeste in the corridor.
Seeing me, Orion immediately frowned: “Nora, are you following me here? You’re shameless!” Hearing Orion insult me, Quentin immediately stepped in front of me: “Orion, what nonsense are you talking about!”
Seeing a strange man in front of me, Orion’s eyes darkened, and the temperature around him dropped.
“What’s that in your hand?” Orion reached for the medical report I was holding.
Afraid he’d see the results, I quickly stepped back. Seeing my reaction, Orion’s hand froze mid–air. Just then, Celeste spoke up: “Since Nora is coming from the obstetrics department, could that be a prenatal check–up report?”
When Orion began to hurl insults at me, Quentin quickly stepped in front to shield me.
“Orion, what on earth are you talking about?”
Orion’s expression turned cold upon seeing a stranger standing in front of me, and the atmosphere seemed to chill.
“What are you holding there?”
Orion spotted the medical report in my hand and reached to snatch it. Afraid he would see the results, I quickly stepped back. Seeing my reaction, Orion hesitated, his hand stopping mid–air.
At that moment, Celeste chimed in:
“Since Nora came from the obstetrics department, could that be a prenatal check–up report?”
It was then that I realized the obstetrics department was indeed just behind me.
“I never thought, Nora, that you were already pregnant.”
“Although you wronged Orion in the past, he isn’t someone who holds a grudge. If you had just mentioned it earlier, he wouldn’t have treated you that way yesterday, right, Orion?”
As Celeste’s words sunk in, Orion’s face darkened with anger, his eyes blazing as if they could cut through Quentin, who stood protectively before me.
I knew Orion was relentless once he pursued something. To avoid further questions about the report, I chose to stay silent.
Seeing my tacit admission, Orion gritted his teeth, nodding sharply:
“Nora, you’re unbelievable!”
“A heartless woman like you–how have you not met your comeuppance yet?”
“I must have been blind to have been with you for so many years!”
10:24 AM
<
Watching Orion storm away, his anger still palpable, my heart grew heavy.
Celeste approached me with a triumphant smirk:
“Nora, don’t expect Orion to love you like he did three years ago. His heart belongs to me now!”
“You, his past love, should be long forgotten!”
