The Kidney That Never Came

I left Stella with a nurse and took the elevator up to the VIP floor alone.

What a sick joke. Kylie had shoved her own kid into a basic room downstairs while Caleb's son got the luxury suite up top.

The floor was quiet. I followed the sound until I found Evan's room.

Of course she was there.

The door was cracked open, and I froze.

Inside, Kylie and Caleb were throwing Evan a birthday party.

The room echoed with a cheesy birthday song.

When it ended, Kylie touched Evan's face like nothing was wrong.

"Good boy. You've healed so well you're even singing again. Daddy and I are both here for your birthday. Are you happy?"

Evan grinned. "Happy!"

Kylie lit up. "That's all that matters. I'd do anything for you. As long as you're healthy."

Caleb chimed in, all misty-eyed. "Kylie, I don't even know how to thank you."

She looked at him like they were the only two people in the room. "You don't have to..."

He took her hand. "If your dad hadn't torn us apart back then, we—"

"Don't." Her voice dropped. "I already know. I've always known. I never stopped."

I just stood there, watching them act like no one had died.

That's when it hit me—Stella never stood a chance.

All of it... it was because of Caleb.

He wasn't just an old friend. He was her first love. The one she never let go of.

Years ago, he bailed—broke up with her and vanished overseas. She was wrecked. That's when we met, on some blind date.

She needed a distraction. I fell hard.

We got married. And I kept thinking... if I gave enough, maybe one day she'd choose me.

However, ten years of loyalty, and it meant nothing.

One wave from Caleb, and she ran straight back.

I always knew he still lived in her heart.

And I—I was just a placeholder.

That part? I could live with. Maybe even forgive.

But Stella?

She was her daughter. Her own flesh and blood. And she still did this.

Something in me snapped.

I kicked the door open.