My Wife Traded My Organs Away

Five years after I lost my hearing, my world suddenly flooded back with sound.

I was about to call for my wife, to tell her about the miracle, when I overheard her conversation with her assistant.

Mrs. Caldwell, theyve harvested almost every organ they can from Mr. Ashworth. Are you really going to replace his heart with an artificial one now?

This is the seventh operation. First, Grant Kingston killed Mr. Ashworths parents, and you planned that crash to cover the truthto leave him a quadriplegic, a useless dependent.

He is no threat to you or Grant now. Why wont you even leave him his last, natural heart?

Sabrinas voice was unnervingly calm.

I only ever approached Nolan because his tissue matched Grants perfectly. And he was a brilliant forensic investigatorI couldnt risk him finding the truth. It would have ruined Grant for life.

Once Nolans heart is transplanted into Grant, I can finally take the children and return to their real father.

As for Nolan Ill care for him forever. I suppose thats my compensation to him.

I collapsed onto the floor, my chest tearing open with a pain far greater than any surgery.

The one who had orchestrated the brutal death of my entire family was the woman I had loved and trusted for twelve years.

She had stayed by my side all this time, not for love, but to use my life, organ by organ, to save her true love!

Sabrina. If this is what you truly wanted, then I will grant your wish. But not the way you think.

I had to terminate three of Nolans children before I could finally carry Grants twins to term. I will never allow anything to happen to my childrens biological father.

Once this heart transplant is complete, tell the surgeon to permanently cripple his hands, too. Grant cant sleep at night, knowing those hands once touched me.

Crippling him will put Grants mind at ease.

Cameron, Sabrinas long-time assistant, spoke with a tremble in his voice.

Mrs. Caldwell, those hands are the only thing Mr. Ashworth can move. Your wedding to Mr. Kingston is scheduled, and you have his children is it necessary to go to such an extreme? To destroy him so completely?

If, by some remote chance, Mr. Ashworth ever learned the truth, Im terrified of the consequences.

Sabrina frowned slightly.

What consequences could a living corpse, who relies on a machine to beat his heart, possibly bring me?

Nolan is depressed and shuts everyone out but me, which is perfectI can keep him hidden. Besides, what truth could a deaf man possibly hear?

Well revisit all this after Ive secured my future with Grant and the children.

Camerons face registered a flash of resentment, but he was resigned. He instructed the men to lift me onto the gurney.

Tears pooled in the corners of my eyes. Through the door, I heard the doctor pleading.

Mrs. Caldwell, in Mr. Ashworths current state, this operation is tantamount to murder

Sabrinas voice cut through the air, cold and definitive.

Do as I say. I will take full responsibility for him, crippled or otherwise. If he dies, Ill arrange a beautiful funeral. Now, start the procedure.

The doctor sighed, accepting his grim assignment as the gurney rolled into the operating room.

Even a stranger showed more compassion than the woman who had shared my bed for a decade. The anesthesia hit me instantly, blurring my vision.

But the pain in my soul only sharpened.

I heard Sabrinas assistant lower his voice and give his final report.

Mrs. Caldwell, the driver who took the fall for Mr. Kingston pleaded guilty in court. He insists he accidentally killed Mr. Ashworths parents.

This must remain confidential. Nolan is physically and mentally shattered after so many operations. He cannot handle any more stress.

Grant has been suffering from anxiety attacks since the drunk-driving incident. Once the surgery is a success, we can finally hold the wedding. There can be no mistakes this time.

Understood.

The drugs paralyzed my body, but my hearing remained intact.

Sabrina and her team were right outside the door, but I felt a gaping, cold wound in my chest.

Grant Kingston was the one who had murdered my parents and mutilated their bodies!

And Sabrina, my wife and a sharp lawyer, had broken the law by finding a scapegoat to protect her lover.

Afraid I would uncover the truth, she then personally orchestrated the car crash that turned me into a useless dependent!

She had even mercilessly aborted our three children, and then lied, claiming the twins were ours.

I had clung to those two boys as my only reason to live.

The depth of my pity was horrifying.

Tell the surgeon to be gentle. Nolan has already endured seven operations. Im afraid he cant take much more.

Sabrina covered her eyes, a look of manufactured guilt crossing her face.

Its been so many times now. It still hurts my heart to see him wheeled into the operating room.

Cameron, who had been silent, finally couldn't hold back.

Mrs. Caldwell, Mr. Ashworth worked night and day to put you through law school. Now, hes the only one left of the Ashworth family. Even if you have no loyalty, shouldn't you consider your future?

Sabrina glared at him.

Why are you suddenly taking his side today?

What is so wrong with his life now? He doesnt have to struggle; I provide him with everything. Even if everyone else is gone, he still has me, doesnt he?

For Grant and the children to have a complete family, isn't it Nolans duty to make this sacrifice?

Her words twisted the knife deep in my sternum.

The shattering pain of my hand bones being broken forced a gasp out of me.

But the physical agony was nothing compared to the desolation in my heart.

Twelve years of lovea catastrophic, bloody joke.

Sabrina, your lies have damned us both.

When I woke again, I was tethered to a dozen tubes and wires.

Seeing my eyes open, Sabrina quickly wiped away her tears, forcing a gentle, grief-stricken smile that looked painfully sincere.

Nolan, you scared me to death. I was so afraid you wouldnt wake up this time.

The doctor says your hearing is miraculously back, but your paralysis is permanent. Dont worry, you are my beloved husband, and I will take care of you.

I turned my head away, unwilling to meet her gaze.

A searing, needle-sharp pain shot through my chest, causing the artificial heart to emit a piercing, urgent alarm.

Nolan, dont move. You struggled unconsciously during the surgery, and it caused permanent nerve damage in your hands. I authorized the amputation.

But its okay. Even if you have to lie in bed forever, we still have our healthy twin boys, darling.

She motioned for the twins to come over, but the sight of them, knowing my three children were brutally erased, made my blood run cold. I wanted to kill them all.

Seeing the cold sweat beading on my brow, Sabrinas voice was full of manufactured concern.

Nolan, are you angry with me? Please dont upset yourself. It hurts me to see you like this.

When I remained silent, she dropped to her knees beside the bed.

Her wounded expression suggested she loved me desperately.

For twelve years, I had drowned in this meticulously crafted illusion.

Now, the veil had been ripped away.

I silently waved my hand, finally managing a weak, choked phrase.

Stop it.

Sabrina cautiously took my hand.

Nolan, do you know? They replaced your heart with the newest model.

The doctor said this artificial heart can support you for at least twenty years. Now I can finally rest easy. Youll be by my side forever.

She continued to sing the praises of the machine heart, deliberately twisting the knife in my psyche.

I stared blankly at the ceiling.

Grant merely suffered from anxiety attacks, and she ordered my healthy, beating heart to be cut out.

Again and again, she used my healthy organs to save the man who had murdered my family.

She reduced a living man to a living corpse, and she was still lying.

Enough!

Sabrina, seeing my rage, gently wiped the sweat from my forehead, her movements as careful as if I were fragile, priceless art.

Nolan, if you dont want to hear it, I wont say it. Just calm down, okay?

To any observer, the scene would evoke a gasp of admiration: Attorney Caldwell truly is devoted to her husband.

But they didnt know the blade concealed beneath that tenderness.

They didnt know the deadly poison in every loving word.

She had woven a twelve-year-long nightmare for me. Now, the dream had to end.

Since I was still alive, I would personally settle the accounts, every last one of them.

A few days later, I told Sabrina I wanted to go home to visit my parents memorial. She couldn't refuse, so she brought me back.

All the way there, Sabrina talked about how the day after tomorrow was our twelfth wedding anniversary, and how she had prepared a big surprise for me.

I looked at her, expressionless.

If this was a fake marriage, what was the point of celebrating an anniversary?

Even her pretense of love was physically sickening.

Once we were home, Sabrina quickly found an excuse to leave the room.

My parents black-and-white photos gazed down at me, their eyes gentle.

I could only lie here every day, head bowed before those two urns, regretting my impotence, unable to seek vengeance or justice for them.

I had prayed countless times for their peace and happiness in the next life.

But when I overheard the maids conversation, the blood froze in my veins.

Oh, Mr. Ashworth is here again. Mrs. Caldwell ordered us to keep absolutely silent, but my conscience is killing me.

The maids voice dropped to a whisper, tinged with a deep sigh.

I know. Those urnsthey dont hold the remains of the old Mr. and Mrs. Ashworth!

Before their funeral, Grant had the real ashes mixed into dog food and fed to the strays in the alley!

My fingers, gripping the wooden frame of the altar, trembled violently.

Poor Mr. Ashworth, kneeling here for twelve years, talking to an urn full of concrete dust

For twelve years, I had bowed and wept before my enemys careless insultcement dust!

My parents, whom I begged for peace, had been utterly erased, their remains tossed to feral dogs by the killer!

My vision blurred with rage, and I passed out.

When I next opened my eyes, Sabrina and Grant were shamelessly having sex on the sofa in the living room.

Sabrinas voice was a soft, gasping moan.

Grant, is this a good idea in front of Nolan? Besides, were getting married in two days, cant you wait?

Grants movements became more aggressive, his low, husky laugh dripping with malice.

Wait? Im doing it right in front of this waste! Its the ultimate rush! You always told me he was impotent, anyway.

All these years, every time the waste wanted to touch you, you turned off the lights! You wanted to sneak me in, didnt you?

He still has no idea he never slept with you. He was sleeping with those escorts you hired, right?

Every word was a poison-tipped needle, plunging into my already ruined heart.

I used the tiny, almost imperceptible movement I had left in my fingers to fish out my hidden phone.

I sent a single text to the familiar number:

[Get me out.]

Almost the moment the message sent, the screen lit up faintly with a reply:

[Youre finally awake. Wait for me. Tomorrow.]

Sabrina, Grant. I will have blood for blood.

After sending the text, I immediately feigned unconsciousness.

The next morning, Sabrina came to push my wheelchair, ready to celebrate our anniversary.

Looking at her beaming face and the hickeys she had tried to conceal beneath a high collar, I felt an intense wave of nausea.

Grant stepped forward, volunteering to take my wheelchair.

Sabrina gave him a tender smile and walked ahead to the car. Grant immediately leaned down and shoved his phone toward me in a deliberate act of provocation.

The screen lit up, showing a gruesome scene.

It was the complete, uncensored video of my parents brutal murder and dismemberment!

Their piercing screams shredded my eardrums; every cut felt like it was slicing through my own heart!

Grant laughed cruelly, pressing his mouth close to my ear.

I killed them on purpose. Who told you to always be better than me? I wanted your woman, and I wanted your parents dead!

And I was never sick. The anxiety attacks were fake. But your woman never asked questions, she just offered up your heart.

I had your healthy heart preserved as a specimen. Oh, and your parents heads? I cut those off too. Theyre right next to it. Want a tour?

My eyes were burning with pure, unadulterated hatred! I used every ounce of my meager strength to slam the wheelchair into Grant!

He tumbled to the ground.

Sabrina and her parents rushed over when they heard the commotion.

Her parents immediately cradled Grant, then turned to yell at me.

You machine-dependent waste! How dare you lay a hand on Grant?!

Exactly! Look at yourself! How do you compare to Grant?

Our daughter is a successful lawyer! Youre nothing but dead weight! If you had any decency, youd disappear yourself!

I shook with fury. Without me, their daughter would never have afforded law school, and they would never have escaped their impoverished life in the country.

Yet now, they spat venom at me.

Grant clutched his arm, feigning unbearable pain.

Sabrina looked at me, her eyes arctic cold.

Nolan, are you done with this tantrum? Honestly, your parents deserved to die! You were hit by that car because you brought it on yourself!

I clutched my chest, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

My parents deserved to die?

I brought the crash on myself?

I pointed a trembling finger at Sabrina, my voice raw and choked.

Who planned the murder of my parents? Where are our children? Sabrina, you know everything!

A flash of genuine panic crossed her eyes.

How would I know! Stop trying to change the subject!

She waved her hand dismissively, ordering the staff.

Throw him onto the back forty. Drag him back only when he has calmed down and is ready to apologize.

I gave her a long, cold stare.

She was momentarily startled by the intensity of my look, then tried to coo.

You know I only love you, but youre being unreasonable. Go calm down, and Ill come get you. We can go have a private anniversary celebration later.

With that, she turned to walk away.

I let out a silent, bitter laugh. The person coming to get me was already waiting, just across the street.

I looked past her, toward what was once the Ashworth estate. It was now fully decorated, the scene set for her wedding to Grant.

Her "surprise" was just a ploy to clear me out of the house, making room for their ceremony.

It didn't matter.

Just as Sabrina and Grant raised their glasses for the toast, Cameron rushed in, interrupting the ceremony.

Its terrible, Mrs. Caldwell! Mr. Ashworth knows the truthhe took his bags and left the country, alone!