Stole My Kidney for His Crush

"Kayla, are you okay? I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. If I hadn't left early that day, you wouldn't have lost a kidney." Lily reached for my side, right where the scar still throbbed.

Bryson jumped in, quick to shield his fragile little flower. "It's not your fault. It was the kidnappers."

Right then, Lily pressed down—hard.

I flinched and smacked her hand away without thinking.

The slap echoed. Her hand went red.

Tears welled up as she stared at me like I'd just kicked a puppy.

And just like that, any guilt Bryson had left? Gone.

But the pain in my side had me too out of it to react fast.

Next thing I knew, Bryson shoved down on the wound again.

"This isn't about Lily. She's been crying every day, scared for you. And you? You wake up and bully her? You lost a kidney, not your brain. What's wrong with you?"

The disgust in his eyes wasn't even subtle. Lily bit her lip like she was gonna faint.

"This isn't Kayla's fault," she whispered. "She's hurting. If lashing out at me helps, I'll take it."

That fake sweetness? It pushed Bryson over the edge.

He grabbed her and stormed out, leaving me—injured, bleeding, and completely alone.

***

A whole day passed. No food. Just me, hoarse and staring at the ceiling.

Guess word got around that Bryson dumped me. Doctors, nurses—no one came in. Except the ones who lingered by the door to gossip.

The nurse who finally showed to change my bandage? Straight-up nasty.

"I don't know what I did to deserve this," she muttered. "Everyone knows Mr. Schubert loves Ms. Khunt. Taking care of you's just bad luck. Should've stayed missing. Don't you get it? Nobody wants you. You're useless—just die already."

I didn't answer. Just groaned, weak and hurting.

She got rougher.

"Please, miss... can you go easier? If it's okay, could you help me find a private caregiver? I'll pay."

She'd clearly been waiting to snap. I wasn't trying to fight—I just needed peace.

The second I mentioned money, her hands softened.

"You serious?" That greedy glint lit up her eyes.

"I'm serious."

She cleared her throat. "No need to hire anyone. I'll do it. Just so we're clear—$20,000 a month."

I froze. That was way past normal. She didn't even blink.

"What? Not loving the offer?"

She caught my look and jabbed straight into the bandage. Blood oozed out.

"It hurts..."