Chapter 2

To make the whole act more convincing and dispel any lingering doubts I might have, Zoey arranged what she called a reconciliation.

The meeting was held at a cafe Naomi and I had often frequented in the past. It was the place that housed countless memories from the three years we had dated. Those two women had truly thought of everything.

When I arrived, they were both already there.

Naomi was wearing the matching T-shirt we'd worn as a couple back then, layered beneath an oversized jacket. She had wasted away so much that I almost couldn't recognize her. Her complexion was sallow, her lips dry and cracked.

Zoey sat beside her, thoughtfully pouring her a cup of warm water. It was a moving display of sisterly affection.

"You're here, Caleb." Zoey swiftly got up when she spotted me and even pulled out a chair for me.

I sat down, my gaze settling calmly on Naomi. The instant I saw that face, I was reminded of the cold expression she'd worn eight years ago.

Even after eight years, she was just as deplorable as ever.

"Caleb..." She struggled to straighten up, as though trying to adopt a more proper position out of respect.

But I saw the same insincerity in her gaze as I had seen eight years ago.

"I was such a crappy person back then. I never should've abandoned you," she said, and a tear rolled down her gaunt cheek. "Before you were discharged from the hospital, I was diagnosed with kidney failure. The doctor said I would end up being a burden you'd have to carry for the rest of your life.

"When I saw that you… you'd already lost a leg and an eye because of me, how could I bear to let you continue caring for a sick patient, living a life devoid of hope for the future?"

Zoey thoughtfully slid over a piece of tissue to me before placing a hand on my shoulder, as if to give me strength. Then, she said, "Say no more, Naomi. Caleb understands."

I nearly scoffed out loud. The family sure had good genes. They'd produced two actresses who deserved to be awarded the highest honors for their acting.

Naomi raised her head and looked at me, her tearful eyes filled with remorse and anguish.

"I'm a weak coward, Caleb. I don't even deserve to be considered human. If there's a chance for a do-over, I promise I'll devote myself to you to repay you."

While Naomi professed her profound repentance, Zoey's hand tightened on my shoulder, as if to remind me that it was time for me to give in and accept the olive branch.

But I didn't speak, choosing only to look Naomi in the eye. I hoped she would at least have the tiniest bit of conscience to feel a prick of guilt, even for a moment.

Alas, I only saw anxiety and desperate hope.

Naomi feared I would refuse to donate my kidney out of resentment for what she'd done to me in the past. At the same time, she desperately hoped her performance would move me enough to willingly sacrifice myself to prolong her worthless life.

"Naomi Sutton."

Her body stiffened when I addressed her by her full name.

"I can give you my kidney."

Both women visibly relaxed, as if a great burden had been lifted off their shoulders. But I caught the flash of delight in their eyes that they failed to hide in time, and it burned my eyes.

"But I have a condition."

Even before I finished speaking, the two women eagerly nodded, seemingly afraid that I'd take it back.

"Go ahead and tell us, Caleb. We'll do whatever you want," Zoey swiftly replied, her voice sweet and tender. "No matter what your condition is, we'll do it."

But instead of looking at her, I kept my eyes fixed on Naomi. "All those years ago, I ended up in that state because of you, yet you just kicked me aside without any qualms. I was forced to endure endless humiliation. My life has turned into a complete joke over the last few years because of you."

I lifted a hand and gently brushed over my blind eye before patting the cold prosthetic leg beneath the table.

"You want to take a kidney from me to save your life. I don't want it to come with the anger and discontent that's still festering in me, so I need you to make it up to me. You need to give me a formal apology for what you did to me back then."