The Man Who Gave His Kidney Away

To save my father-in-law, I donated a kidney—but on the very day I was discharged, she didn't hesitate for a second to shove me into the guest room.

"Those centipede-like scars are disgusting. Don't show yourself to me again!"

In the dead of night, my wound tore open. I collapsed into a pool of blood, dialing her number 100 times, desperate for help.

She hung up every single time. Meanwhile, the master bedroom echoed with Theo Reynold's low, passionate growls.

In that instant, every ounce of strength drained from me.

When I was admitted to the hospital, I held the military medal my mother had left me on her deathbed. That was when I remembered the woman even the mayor bowed to when she walked into a room.

Without thinking, I dialed the long-forgotten number.

"Commander Jennings, you once said you owed my mother a debt of gratitude. Now… I want you to marry me."

"Caleb, I'll do it."

Commander Kathryn Jennings's voice over the receiver sounded like music from heaven, and in that moment, the weight I'd been carrying for so long finally lifted.

I hadn't expected her to agree so easily. For a second, I just stood there frozen.

When I got home, a sudden shout from behind made me jump.

"Caleb! You're out of the hospital? Why didn't you tell us?"

I turned to find Theo Reynold staring at the suitcase in my hand, his eyes flickering with something I couldn't quite read.

"Since Nina's pregnant and needs looking after, she asked me to move into the master bedroom for now. Hope you don't mind?"

Nina Dawson stepped forward, her eyes sweeping over my scar with barely concealed disgust.

"Caleb, Theo knows how to take care of someone. You go back to the guest room. Once that ugly scar heals, you can come back to the master bedroom."

A sharp pang of bitterness hit me. Three years ago, right after we got married, Nina's distant relative Theo showed up claiming family ties.

I took him in because his hometown was going through a crisis, letting him stay in the guest room—but I never thought it would turn into three whole years.

Now that my wound had just split open, she still wanted me to live in the guest bedroom?

Seeing me hesitate, Nina grabbed my suitcase.

"I'm pregnant, and stress is bad for the baby. If you're fine, just stay out of the way."

My luggage was tossed into the cramped guest room like it was garbage. Dust instantly puffed up into the air.

Theo pinched his nose in disgust and let Nina lead him into the master bedroom. The pine door clicked shut with a finality that sealed off the chill of the guest room.

On autopilot, I picked up my suitcase. I didn't have the energy to argue. Not that it mattered—there were only a few days left anyway.

The next morning, I woke to the sound of teasing voices from the TV in the