Her Living Sacrifice
Luckily, my mom and I had been tested for compatibility ages ago, a precaution due to our familys medical history. We were a perfect match. The decision was simple. Id give her my heart; Id take the artificial one.
The mountain of medical bills was staggering. When I pleaded with Amber for help, she claimed her cash was tied up. The next day, she married him. His name was Stellan.
Thats when Dr. Evelyn Reed stepped in. She covered every last cent, and as the top cardiothoracic surgeon in the state, she personally scrubbed in to perform both of our surgeries.
When I woke up, the first thing I saw was Evelyns face, etched with a sorrow so profound it seemed to carve new lines into her skin. She told me there had been a complication. My mothers body had violently rejected the transplant. The surgery failed. She was gone.
Evelyn held me as I fell apart, her arms a strange comfort in the sterile white room. She whispered that she had fallen for me, that she wanted to spend the rest of her life taking care of me.
Seven years later, I overheard her talking to her best friend, Chloe, through the half-closed door of her study.
The fact that you swapped Leos heart into Stellan, right in front of his mother Evelyn, thats a different level of cold.
I didnt have a choice, Evelyns voice was low, smoky. His heart was the only one that matched Stellans.
Thats not true! They found another donor. Stellan would have had to wait, what, half a day? You were that impatient?
Evelyn sighed, a sound heavy with something I couldnt name. I couldnt stand to see him suffer. Not for a second.
1
Inside her study, a curl of smoke rose from her lips. Her voice was a raw whisper. The world wont let me have him. The least I can do is make sure he lives a long, safe life.
Chloes tone was a mix of awe and horror. But Leo His blood type is so rare. Finding another match is nearly impossible. Hes spent years coughing up blood, dealing with that constant, stabbing pain in his chest.
She pressed on. Dont forget, that artificial heart of his has a one-month lifespan. It has to be replaced, again. Are you going to make him endure being cracked open for the rest of his life? He loves you, Evelyn. Give him his heart back. Youve already got a dozen backup donors lined up for Stellan.
Evelyns reply was instant, sharp as a scalpel. No. Every backup donor is another layer of security for Stellan. I will not gamble with his life.
Chloes voice rose in desperation. What about Leo? I can still see his mothers face, the bloody tears streaming down her cheeks as she died. Arent you afraid of what hell do when he finds out? Arent you afraid hell kill you?
A long silence. Then, a humorless laugh from Evelyn. If he wants my life, he can have it. I was planning on taking care of him forever anyway. Another drag of her cigarette. As long as Stellan is happy, I can die with no regrets.
The doorknob felt slick with sweat in my hand. The veins on my skin stood out like ropes as an uncontrollable tremor shot through my arm. I raised my phone, hit record, and captured the rest of it. Then, before she could sense my presence, I stumbled back to our bedroom in a daze and slid to the floor.
My body had never fully accepted the artificial heart. It left me perpetually weak, a prisoner to bouts of coughing that brought up blood and a piercing pain that felt like a hot poker being twisted in my chest.
Evelyn had told me a reverse transplant was impossible. Since my mother had passed, there was no "living donor" to give the heart back to. The logic seemed sound at the time.
It made sense, I thought. At least my heart could be with my mom forever.
No wonder she had insisted I was too weak to get out of bed, too fragile to see my mother one last time. She had handled all the arrangements herself, a grieving angel by my side.
It was all a lie. The salvation, the profound loveit was just dressing on an altar shed built for someone else. She never even operated on my mother.
My mom, and me we were just offerings. Sacrifices for the man she truly loved.
To ensure her plan went off without a hitch, she had wheeled my mother into the operating theater first. She made my mother watch as her own sons heart was cut from his chest and placed into the body of another man. Powerless. Forced to watch until the agony, the betrayal, stopped her own failing heart for good. She died weeping tears of blood.
Even without a real heart, the pain in my chest was so immense it stole my breath. I doubled over, spitting a fresh mouthful of blood onto the polished hardwood floor.
Leo?
Evelyn was there, suddenly. Her eyes widened at the sight of the blood. She rushed to my side, guiding me to the bed, her touch impossibly gentle as she wiped my lips. Im so sorry, Leo. Im not taking good enough care of you. Dont worry, Ive already sourced the best new model for you. Well get you a new artificial heart in a few days.
Her eyes were red-rimmed with what I had always mistaken for guilt-ridden love. It was the same look she always gave me when the pain hit. I used to be the one comforting her, telling her it was okay, that I was strong enough.
God, I was such a fool.
Evelyn, I whispered, my voice hoarse. Im so tired of the pain. Can I please can I stop using the artificial hearts?
You have so many backups for Stellan, I wanted to scream. Cant I just have my own back?
She paused for only a fraction of a second before smiling, stroking my hair. Leo, dont say such silly things. We dont have a donor for you. Without the artificial heart you want me to just watch you die? Youd have to kill me first.
No donor?
But the heart beating inside Stellans chest it was mine.
The blood in my veins turned to ice. I managed a weak smile. Youre right. That was stupid of me.
Later, under the guise of drawing her a bath, I emptied an entire bottle of lavender sleep-inducing essential oil into the steaming water. She emerged from the bathroom wrapped in a towel, and within minutes, she was dead to the world, lost in a deep sleep.
She must have been dreaming of him. She murmured his name, a soft, longing sound.
Stellan Ill always protect you. Even if it kills me.
I looked at the woman I had loved with every fiber of my being for seven years, and for the first time, the tears came, hot and silent.
I called Mark, my doctor friend from med school. Hed just returned to the States after years with Doctors Without Borders in Africa.
I need you to do a surgery for me.
Yes, Im sure. See you in three days.
What was there to be afraid of in dying? The real torment was being forced to live like this.
After hanging up, I slipped Evelyns phone from her nightstand and went to her study. The password, unsurprisingly, was Stellans birthday.
I discovered she had a second, private messaging profile I never knew existed. She must have forgotten to switch back to her main account. The profile picture was two elegantly intertwined letters: E.S.
The meaning was as simple as it was brutal. Evelyn loves Stellan.
I opened her photo gallery. It was a shrine to him. Hundreds of pictures of Stellan, each with a caption that was a veiled, yet blatant, declaration of her love.
First day at the Reed estate. I saw Stellan. And for the first time, I understood what it felt like to have my heart stop.
Stellans getting married. Im going insane with jealousy. I want to fold him up and put him in my pocket, where hell only ever belong to me.
Took Leo three times tonight. I know his body cant handle it, but I cant help myself. I miss Stellan so much. All I could do was chant his name in my head, over and over, as if my will alone could turn the man in my arms into him
And then there were the gifts. Receipts for extravagant jewelry, designer bags, luxury cars. She had even bought him a private, heart-shaped island in the Caribbean, all in his name.
In seven years, the only thing Evelyn had ever given me was this artificial heart, this engine of my unending pain and torment. While I was grieving my mother, drowning in my own blood and agony, Stellan was sunbathing on the soft, white sands of an island bought with my life.
My hand holding the phone trembled violently. A wave of nausea churned in my gut, and I lunged for the wastebasket, dry-heaving. My elbow knocked against a bookshelf, dislodging a thick, leather-bound volume.
It wasn't a book. It was a box, disguised.
Inside were several signed Voluntary Heart Donation certificates and stacks of bank transfer receipts. Evelyn had been paying massive monthly sums to the families of these donors. The condition was simple: they were not allowed to donate their hearts to anyone else. They were on retainer, ready to be harvested the moment Stellan needed them.
The last certificate in the stack was mine. But the recipients name wasnt my mother. It was Stellan.
I remembered that day in the hospital, a whirlwind of paperwork shed said was standard procedure. All I could think about was getting my mom into surgery. I would have signed anything. She must have slipped this one into the pile. My mothers form was probably ashes by now.
Evelyn. For Stellan, you truly thought of everything.
I printed out the divorce papers and sat on the sofa in the silent living room, a hollowed-out man watching the night bleed into a gray dawn. I didn't sleep.
The next morning, Evelyn saw me and just assumed I was up early. She suspected nothing. Perhaps feeling a pang of guilt over my episode the night before, she made breakfast herself, a perfectly balanced, nutritious spread. When I didn't touch my food, her brow furrowed with concern.
Leo, whats wrong? Youre not eating. Are you feeling down?
Its nothing. I was just thinking about my mom.
She sighed, her expression softening with practiced sympathy. Oh, Leo. Its not just you. I think about her all the time. She was such a kind, gentle soul. I feel so useless for not being able to save her. I can still hear her, you know, holding my hand, telling me she wanted us to be happy.
If my mother had had the strength to lift her hand, it would have been to wrap it around Evelyns throat. The hypocrisy was so thick I could taste it.
I was about to bring up the divorce when she spoke, her tone deceptively casual.
Leo, youve been so down lately. Stellan is back in the country today, its his birthday. The family is having a dinner at the estate. Why dont we go? It might cheer you up. She paused, gauging my reaction. I know you havent wanted to see him since since what happened with your mom. But its been so many years, and it wasnt his fault Were family, after all. Stellan has always been sensitive. If we dont show up, Im afraid it will hurt his feelings
So that was her goal. All this effort, just for an excuse to see the man she loved.
I cut her off. Whatever you want.
Evelyns face lit up. I knew youd understand, Leo. Youre the best.
As soon as we stepped into the Reed family estate, I saw him. Stellan, dressed like a young prince, was clinging to the arm of Evelyns stepmotherthe family matriarchgiggling as she fed him pieces of cut fruit. He was utterly adored.
His eyes found me immediately. A smirk played on his lips. Grandma, he whined playfully, youre going to make me fat! My uncle Leo is here, you can give the rest to him. Its not like he has a mom to spoil him anymore.
The matriarchs gaze swept over me, her expression curdling with disdain as she took in my simple, worn clothes. Who invited this invalid? Are you trying to infect us all with your bad luck? she snapped. We are a family of surgeons, of healers. And you walk around dressed like a beggar. Youre an embarrassment to my daughter. Youve been married into this family for years and you still cant even produce a child. Youre useless. Didnt your dead mother teach you any manners?
Evelyn wasnt the matriarchs biological daughter; she was a child from her husbands first marriage. The old woman had always resented her, pushing her to marry someone who could bring power to the family. It was only after a car accident killed her husband that Evelyn, already a celebrated surgeon with a golden scalpel, inherited control of the familys medical empire. The matriarch had been forced to consent to our marriage, and shed hated me for it ever since. My inability to have children due to my health was just another reason for her to despise me.
Before, Evelyn would have defended me. Now, her eyes were locked on Stellan, filled with a longing so raw it was painful to watch.
Stellan bounced over to her, linking his arm through hers. Auntie Evie, he cooed, did you bring me a birthday present?
Evelyns face melted into a look of pure adoration. She squeezed his cheek. Of course I did.
On cue, assistants wheeled in racks carrying twenty-eight bespoke, high-fashion suits, each paired with an equally luxurious, diamond-encrusted watch. Twenty-eight. For his twenty-eighth birthday.
He squealed with delight and planted a kiss on her cheek. Wow, Auntie Evie, youre the best! These watches are all limited edition! You spent so much. What if a certain someone gets jealous? he asked, shooting a venomous look in my direction.
Evelyn finally seemed to remember I was there. My faded jeans and t-shirt looked even more pathetic next to the opulent display. In all our years together, Evelyn had never once remembered my birthday, let alone bought me a single gift.
She looked at me, a flicker of awkwardness in her eyes. She took my hand. Leo, dont overthink it. Hes my nephew. I just
Stellan suddenly clutched his chest, his face scrunching up in pain. Auntie Evie, my heart feels fluttery. I hope its not acting up again
Evelyn dropped my hand as if it were on fire. She spun around, wrapping her arms around him, her face a mask of panic. What do you mean, fluttery? Does it hurt? Thats it, I need to examine you right now.
And with that, in front of everyone, she guided Stellan upstairs.
The guests stared at me, their eyes filled with scorn and pity.
No wonder Evelyn buys Stellan all that but wont even get him a decent shirt. A low-life like him doesnt deserve to be a part of the Reed family.
If it werent for the fact that shes his aunt, do you really think she would have married him? I bet he used his mothers death to guilt her into it. The shameless parasite. Climbing his own mothers corpse to marry into money.
The whispers grew louder. The matriarch, her face flushed with embarrassment, hissed at me. You pathetic thing, what are you still standing here for? Get upstairs! Havent you humiliated this family enough for one night? She sneered. It was a privilege for your dead mother to be operated on by my daughter. Its her own damn fault her body gave out. You should be grateful, not trying to blackmail us. Youll get whats coming to you!
My fists clenched at my sides. A bitter, powerless laugh escaped my lips. She was right. Meeting Evelyn was the worst thing that had ever happened to me.
I remembered the divorce papers in my jacket pocket. Without a word, I turned and went upstairs to find her.
I found them on the second-floor balcony. They were wrapped around each other. Evelyn was leaning against the railing, her hands tangled in Stellans hair.
Evie, he purred, listen to my heart. Is it still fluttering?
Stellan, we cant Evelyns voice was strained, a weak attempt at resistance, but the flush on her cheeks betrayed her.
He silenced her with a kiss, his voice a seductive whisper against her lips. Dont you want me, Evie? I know you do. And youre the only one I want. So you married someone else to avoid a scandal. Fine. But your body your body belongs to me. Just this once, lets stop pretending
That was all it took. Evelyns control snapped. She grabbed the back of his head and kissed him back, a desperate, hungry passion that consumed them both.
The sound of fabric ripping was followed by a soft, breathless moan that was unmistakably hers.
I listened to the filthy, sweet nothings she whispered to him, words she had never once said to me. A sob tore from my throat. I clamped a hand over my mouth and ran, blindly, out of the villa and into the cold night.
I dont know how long I sat on the curb, numb. A splash of searing heat jolted me back to reality. A bowl of instant ramen had been dumped onto my chest, the hot broth scalding my skin.
Stellan stood over me, a bottle of expensive whiskey in his hand. Hed changed his clothes.
Leo. Did you enjoy the show? That pathetic look on your face as you ran away you looked just like a stray dog.
He had seen me.
I hear the artificial heart isnt working out so well for you. The coughing, the chest pain must be hard, right? Cant even properly please your own wife. He took a swig from the bottle. Not a problem for me, though. I can go all night. You may be a useless piece of trash, but I have to admit, your heart is top-quality. I was feeling very comfortable a few minutes ago.
His eyes glittered with malice. You really thought you could marry my Aunt Evie and steal her affection from me? Dream on. She only has eyes for me. You were just a walking, talking incubator for my new heart.
He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. You know, that wasn't the first time your mother caught me with your fiance. The old hag had the nerve to call me shameless. So I tied her to a chair and had her watch while I screwed Amber right in front of her. Thats what really gave her the heart attack. And when you offered to give her your heart? All I had to do was pretend my chest hurt, and just like that, Aunt Evie couldnt wait to rip it out of you and give it to me.
He grinned, a sickening, triumphant expression. Oh, right, you were unconscious. You didnt get to see your mothers face. Her arms were stretched out, trying to reach you. Her eyes were bulging out of her head, like she wanted to strangle us. But all she could do was watch. The rage is what finally killed her. It was perfect. She called me shameless, so I took her life.
My eyes widened in horror. I couldnt process it. This this was the truth of how my mother died.
My whole body began to shake. How could they? How could they destroy my mothers life and speak of it so casually?
I raised my hand, a primal scream building in my chest. But Stellan was faster. He upended the whiskey bottle over his own head and let out a piercing shriek.
A split second later, a powerful force shoved me to the ground.
Evelyn was cradling Stellan in her arms. She turned to me, her face contorted with rage, and screamed, Leo, what the hell are you doing?!
First, search for and download the MotoNovel app from Google. Then, open the app and use the code "284725" to read the entire book.
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