Chapter 2
The day I was discharged from the hospital happened to be my birthday. Graham Ortiz came to pick me up himself and threw a grand birthday party for me at the military base.
The banquet hall was elegant and majestic, and he stayed by my side the whole time, pinning his highest honor medal on my chest. It drew countless envious gazes, yet to me, the medal felt as heavy as a mountain, weighing down on my heart.
Was he doing this out of guilt, or did he think that by spoiling me, I would forget all the pain?
Midway through, I found it hard to breathe and excused myself to the restroom. Just as I turned the corner in the hallway, I was stopped by Ivey Bennett.
“Well, if it isn’t the star of the evening, Mrs. Major General,” she sneered, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, a mocking smile on her face.
I didn’t want to engage with her and turned to leave, but she quickly blocked my path.
“Graham threw you this party and pinned that prestigious medal on you. Must feel great, huh? But last time, when you got the cops involved to have me court-martialed, didn’t he make you sign the apology to get me off the hook?"
“Do you know how obsessed Graham is with me? We’ve done everything together, while you’re just a clingy wretch. What do you have to compete with me?”
Her words pierced my already shattered heart like a dull, poisoned blade, over and over. My face paled, and I just wanted to escape.
But she wouldn’t relent, grabbing my arm with a vice-like grip, her nails digging painfully into my skin.
“Don’t think you can just brush me off! Since you don’t appreciate what’s good for you, I’ll make sure you remember!”
“Last time you escaped a close call; let’s see if you’re as lucky now!”
As soon as she finished speaking, two burly men in tactical uniforms emerged from the shadows, one on each side, dragging me into the penthouse suite without a word!
I struggled in terror, but my strength was nothing compared to theirs. Ivey’s eyes flashed with malice and a hint of triumph. "Elianna, since Graham likes you, I’ll make sure you’re ruined! Let’s see if he still wants you after this!"
A repulsive man approached the bed with a lecherous grin. I fought desperately as a tide of despair threatened to drown me. Ivey even pulled out her phone, ready to record everything!
Just as the man's disgusting hand was about to touch my clothes, the door flew open with a loud bang!
Graham burst in like an enraged lion, emanating a terrifying aura. His eyes fell on me, trapped and disheveled on the bed, and he was filled with murderous rage. With a swift, precise move, he knocked the man unconscious before he could even scream.
"Elianna!" he rushed over, freeing me from my restraints, holding my trembling body tightly, "Don’t be afraid! I’m here! It’s okay…”
Fear and overwhelming grief burst forth as I collapsed into tears in his arms. He lifted me carefully, wrapping his jacket around me, ready to leave.
As we passed Ivey, he paused, his gaze icy, “Ivey Bennett! I’ve overlooked your antics because of our past, but you dare use such vile means!”
“If anything had happened to Elianna today, I would have had you punished to the fullest extent of the law!”
Ivey recoiled at the murderous intent in his eyes, then shrieked as if in pain, “Punish me?! Does our childhood friendship mean less to you than a few years with her?”
“Fine! Graham Ortiz, since you want my life, I’ll give it to you now!”
With those words, she unexpectedly sprinted to the open floor-to-ceiling window and, before anyone could react, jumped without hesitation!
“Ivey—!” Graham’s face went ashen, and instinctively he let go of me, dashing to the window like a bolt of lightning.
I was tossed aside onto the cold, hard floor, a sharp pain shooting through my ankle. Struggling, I crawled to the window, only to see Graham frantically running downstairs, cradling the bloodied Ivey, and speeding off in a military jeep. The engine roared fiercely, disappearing into the distance, without a single glance back at me.
I collapsed onto the cold floor, staring at the direction the car disappeared, my heart encased in endless cold and silence.
Finally, I limped back alone to the so-called “home.”
Before I could even catch a breath, Graham returned. He stormed in, grabbing my wrist with such force it felt as if my bones would shatter. “Ivey’s kidneys are damaged; she urgently needs a transplant, and yours is the only match in the city!”
“No! I won’t donate! Graham Ortiz, you’re insane! Why should I save her?”
I screamed, trying to wrench free from him, tears streaming down my face. But he clung to my arm desperately, his eyes pleading and obsessed, “Elianna! Please, I’m begging you! Ivey jumped because of what I said, I can’t watch her die! She’s still so young! Donating a kidney won’t affect you much, I’ll find the best doctors for your recovery, and I’ll repay you tenfold, okay?”
“No! I refuse! Even if it kills me, I won’t donate!”
I protested hysterically, but against his overwhelming strength, it was all in vain.
He ultimately dragged me into the operating room, forcing me onto the surgical table.
“Graham Ortiz! I hate you! I hate you!!” My screams turned into my last conscious thought as the anesthesia took hold.
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