Landing Before Dawn

Hypocrisy at its peak. Michelle exhaled slowly before forcing out a single, grudging word, "Alright."

She then turned to the Smith couple, her tone calm and collected, "I agree to donate my kidney." A single kidney, a fair exchange to settle her debt to the Smith Family for raising her.

After agreeing to donate, the Smith couple's treatment of her abruptly improved. Every day, they showered her with care and attention, providing the best food and drink.

Of course, this affection was directed not toward her but toward the kidney she was about to surrender.

Two days before the surgery, Michelle quietly packed her meager belongings.

The couple-themed items, matching clothes, cups, shoes, that once symbolized her and Parker's relationship, she discarded without hesitation, dumping them unceremoniously into the trash bin downstairs.

When Parker came home from work and saw their half-emptied apartment, he couldn't help but laugh, "Honey, are you planning to move the entire house to the hospital? There's really no need for this, you can just let me know whatever you need and I'll buy it for you."

Michelle perfunctorily hummed in agreement, though what she truly wanted to say was, Parker, I won't be bothering you anymore after this.

Noticing her sadness, Parker encircled her waist with his arms and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, "Darling, you've worked so hard. Once this surgery is over, let's get married, alright?"

His face lit up with anticipation as he enthusiastically discussed wedding plans, only to be abruptly interrupted by Michelle, "A wedding without wedding photos, what's there to look forward to?"

Parker merely thought she was throwing a childish tantrum and chuckled indulgently, "You're absolutely right. In that case, we'll take the wedding photos first ..."

"Parker," Michelle suddenly called his name softly.

Momentarily caught off guard, Parker responded with confusion, "Hmm? What is it?"

"Do you remember what you told me when I turned eighteen?" Michelle asked earnestly, her eyes calm yet unwavering.

Parker answered confidently, "Of course! I said I'd love only you in this life, treat only you well and never betray you!"

She asked, "What if you do betray me?"

He said, "Then let me lose you forever." Michelle locked eyes with him for a long time, her intense gaze stirring a rare unease in Parker.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated, breaking the heavy silence. She glanced at the screen briefly before turning it off.

"You're not checking your messages?" Parker asked with concern.

"It's just spam," she replied indifferently, her voice steady. Yet her fingers betrayed her, trembling ever so slightly. It wasn't spam. It was a message from Janet, accompanied by photos.

In the pictures, Janet wore a pristine white wedding gown, her face radiating sweetness and shyness as she leaned intimately against Parker's chest. To an outsider, they might as well have been the actual betrothed couple.

[Michelle, I took the wedding photos you couldn't take, just for you!]

[Oh, and by the way, here's a little secret, I don't actually have kidney disease. I just wanted to see if you'd agree to give me your kidney!]

[But what surprised me most was that Parker also hoped you'd agree to save me. Who do you think he loves more, you or me?]

Michelle was left aghast at the sheer cruelty of Janet's deceit. She had schemed to rob her of a kidney, all while everyone stood by her side. Those who are favored can be reckless with impunity.

Hidden from Parker's sight, Michelle's trembling hands finally typed a response to Janet's provocation: [Wishing you both happiness.]

The morning of the surgery arrived swiftly. An hour before the operation, Samuel, Adele and even Parker hovered around Janet's bed, showering her with words of comfort and encouragement. For the first time, even Parker spoke gently to her, coaxing her not to be scared.

Michelle stood at the door of the hospital room, her cold eyes observing the tender scene inside. It felt as though she was the one who didn't belong.

She dialed Parker's number, only to be met with a busy signal. But within seconds, a text from him appeared: [Honey, I'm on my way.]

[Don't be scared, I'll stay right outside the operating room with you. I won't let anything happen to you.]

Michelle lowered her eyes and handed the document rejecting the kidney donation to the nurse at the front desk. Then, she turned and walked away, heading straight to the airport. Goodbye, Parker.