01
The moment the doctor declared my daughter brain–dead, the hospital corridor outside her room filled with people. Relatives crowded together, and even some of my husband Zion’s coworkers showed up, their faces a mix of pity and curiosity.
Then Zion’s childhood sweetheart, Anita, suddenly appeared. She entered the room, dropped to her knees, and begged me to donate my daughter’s heart to save their illegitimate son.
The onlookers froze, their faces a blend of shock and anticipation. Though no one dared speak in front of me, I could feel their eyes on me, silently speculating. Would I agree? Or would I refuse? To them, it was a spectacle.
“Chloe,” Anita sobbed, her voice trembling with desperation. “I know Zion and I wronged you, but you’re a mother too. I’m begging you for the sake of my son. Benny’s only hope is Quinn’s heart. It’s the only match. I’ve tried everything, and I’m out of options. Please, do this one good deed. Just help me save him, I’m begging you!”
Before I could react, my cousin Reela exploded. “You shameless homewrecker! How dare you come here asking for Quinn’s heart? Are you blind? Can’t you see Quinn is still breathing? I’ve seen shameless mistresses, but you’ve taken it to another level! Not only did you steal her husband, but now you want her daughter’s life too? I’ll kill you!”
Reela, hot–tempered as ever, grabbed Anita by the hair and slammed her to the ground.
“How dare you hit her!” Zion’s mother, Maria, rushed to shield Anita. “Does your family think you can just beat people whenever you like? Where’s the law in that?”
She glared at me, her tone sharp and full of blame. “Can’t you just talk this over? Why so rude?”
Reela laughed bitterly, her voice laced with rage.
“The law? You old hag, you’re so busy protecting this mistress that you forgot who your real family is! What a joke! You’re all teaming up to bully Chloe, aren’t you?”
Reela was always hot–tempered. She had never felt so irritated before, and Zion’s family’s shamelessness was now driving her crazy. She shielded me like a lioness, which made me feel even more touched and aggrieved.
Maria flinched at Reela’s words but quickly regained her composure. She glanced at the crowd watching from the hallway, then turned back to us with renewed venom. “And who are you to speak here? You’re just an outsider. Our family matters have nothing to do with you!”
She turned her sharp gaze to me. “Chloe, how many times have I told you not to air family issues to outsiders? But no, you’d rather run to Reela with everything. Honestly, I’m not sure who you’re closer to, her or Zion.”
Reela’s temper flared even more. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to fight, but I grabbed her arm firmly, holding her back.
At that moment, Zion finally decided to speak. “Chloe, Mom’s right. For every little issue, you run straight to Reela. People might start thinking the two of you are a couple, and I’m just the extra.”
Reela’s grip tightened in mine, her knuckles white with fury. If I hadn’t held her back, she would’ve lunged at them again.
Zion’s expression darkened as he shot Reela a hostile glance before turning back to me. “Chloe, we’ve been married for eight years. Be honest with yourself. Have I ever treated you or Quinn poorly? I raised her with nothing but love. But life and death… that’s out of my control. Since things have come to this, why not try to move on?”
His words were calm, almost sorrowful, but I could see through the facade. I met his gaze and asked coldly, “What are you trying to say?”
He hesitated for a moment as if searching for the right words to soften the blow.
Finally, he spoke. “Chloe, I don’t want this any more than you do. But you know I’m the only son of my family. And since you… you can’t have more children, Benny is all I have left. I can’t stand by and watch him die. I hope you can understand.”
Maria, sensing my growing resistance, softened her tone. “Chloe, please, just agree. Benny is family too. Yes, they’ve wronged you, but that doesn’t mean you should deprive an innocent child of his chance to live.”
Their words, dripping with self–righteousness, made my chest ache as if a thousand ants were gnawing at my heart.
They were willing to sacrifice my daughter’s life to save the child they cherished most.
Reela stepped forward before I could respond, her voice trembling with rage. “Zion, isn’t Quinn your flesh and blood? How can you stand here and act like only that boy matters? Can’t you see Quinn is still breathing?”
As she turned to Quinn, who was lying on the hospital bed as though peacefully asleep, her eyes were filled with tears of anger and grief.
I had always known that my in–laws wanted a grandson and had never been fond of Quinn. But I never expected them to be so brazen, saying such heartless things at my daughter’s deathbed.
And Zion… his so–called love for Quinn had been nothing but a facade.
Unmasked by Reela’s accusation, Maria dropped all pretense. “And who are you to criticize us? You’re not even family! The donation papers don’t need your signature. If Quinn can help her brother, she should feel honored. At least it won’t waste all the care her father gave her over the years.”
Zion, his face cold, barked at Reela, “How many times do I have to tell you to stay out of our family’s affairs? Why can’t you just stay away from us?”
Then he turned to me, his tone severe. “Chloe, I need you to be rational about this. Don’t let her cloud your judgment.”
I met his gaze, my voice icy. “So you already planned to give Quinn’s heart to your illegitimate son.”
11:30 AM
My words struck like a thunderclap. Zion and Maria froze, their faces betraying the guilt they tried so hard to hide.
Reela scoffed in disgust, “Zion, you’re truly despicable. My aunt trusted you so much. Have you forgotten the promise you made to her on her
deathbed?”
“You jinx! Can’t you just shut up? Do you enjoy messing with our family that much?”
Maria, enraged, lunged at Reela, her hand raised to shove her.
I stepped forward, shielding Reela. “Maria, how dare you touch her? What did she say that was wrong?”
Maria glared at me impatiently and then looked at Reela, who was ready to strike anytime.
Just then, some whispered about how my late mother had treated Zion like her own son.
Unable to bear the humiliation, Maria collapsed theatrically to the floor, wailing.
“Why is my life so hard? Widowed at thirty, raising my son alone, and now this? My granddaughter’s dying, and my grandson’s sick. Why are you all tormenting me? I might just die as well! Why can’t Chloe just agree to save Benny?”
The hallway buzzed with louder whispers, some expressing pity, others scorn.
Maria sobbed theatrically, snot and tears smearing her face.
Zion, moved by her performance, approached me, his voice hoarse. “Chloe, I know you’re hurting. But please, we really don’t have other choices. You know that. Benny can’t wait any longer.”
Reela clung to my arm. “Chloe, don’t listen to him!”
She truly worried that I would agree.
I looked at Reela, her fierce determination mirroring the protective love my late mother had shown me. But since she was gone, I had to make decisions myself.
I squeezed her hand and said softly, “Reela, trust me this time. Let me decide.”
Her eyes searched mine before she reluctantly nodded.
I released her hand and turned to Zion and Maria. Finally, I looked at Anita, still kneeling and sobbing quietly.
“Do you really want to save your son?”
Anita’s head shot up, her eyes filled with desperate hope. She nodded frantically.
Maria immediately stopped crying and stood. “Chloe, listen to me. Saving Benny will only bring you benefits. It’s better to end Quinn’s suffering as soon as possible, and Benny would grow up remembering the sister who saved him.”
I fixed her with a cold stare. “You’ve known about Benny all along, haven’t you? You knew Zion had a child with her and kept it from me. And what about the company? Have you been scheming about that too?”
Maria paled, unable to respond.
Anita looked away guiltily, her eyes darting to Zion.
Zion finally spoke. “If you agree, we’ll sign the donation papers together.”
I had long noticed Zion’s calm yet expectant gaze. Then, I glanced at the secretary behind him, who was holding an agreement.
I nodded. “Fine. Since you’ve all planned so thoroughly, I’ll agree.”
“No! You can’t sign this!”
Reela grabbed my arm, and everyone around gasped.
Maria and Zion, however, lit up with relief and joy.
Maria beamed. “You’ve made the right choice, Chloe! That’s wonderful!”
Anita, however, remained tense. She stared at me warily as if afraid I might change my mind.
Seeing that I had agreed, Zion took off his mask and pulled Anita to her feet.
“What’s your condition?”
I turned to Quinn’s still form on the bed. “Give me one month. If Quinn doesn’t wake up by then, I’ll agree to the donation.”
Anita started to protest, but Zion silenced her with a firm grip.
Reela tugged at my sleeve, panicked. “No, Chloe, don’t sign anything!”
Zion snapped at her, “Shut up! This has nothing to do with you.”
I looked at Reela and continued, “And if you want me to sign, you’ll also sign the divorce papers and transfer your shares of the company to me. I’ll have a lawyer verify everything.”
María scoffed, “You? Run the company? Don’t make me laugh.”
I didn’t dignify her with a response. Instead, I addressed Zion directly. “Once this is done, we’re finished. Don’t ever contact me again.”
Zion tried to backpedal. “Chloe, I didn’t mean we should divorce…”
He sounded reluctant, but I knew it was just a show for the outsiders.
Traised a hand to cut him off Turning to the go
loudly “You’re all witnesses Once we sign there’s no turning back. After this. Zion
30 AM
I raised a hand to cut him off. Turning to the gathered crowd, I said loudly, “You’re all witnesses. Once we sign, there’s no turning back. After this, Zion
and I are strangers.”
Reela’s eyes filled with tears. “Why did you let them have it? I won’t let anyone touch Quinn!”
I almost burst out crying. Deep down, I felt sorry for Quinn more than anyone else.
The crowd behind me kept whispering. Some called me a fool, some called Zion a ruthless bast**d, and some scolded Anita for being shameless. But no matter what they said, life had to go on.
Zion didn’t want a divorce, but in the end, he chose Benny over me.
One month later, on the day of the scheduled surgery, I received a furious phone call from Zion. “You b**ch! Where the hell is Quinn?” he roared.
