“Alice, calm down. Adeline will still get a kidney. Harith’s case is more urgent now. Beatrix only has this one son and we owe her our lives. Think of it as repayment.”
I fought against him, desperate to reach my daughter, but his grip tightened. “You heartless bastard! Adeline is your own daughter!” My voice broke, as helpless as I felt.
Paul only held me tighter until the light turned off in the operating room and a doctor emerged, mask in hand. “The operation was a success, the patient is stable.”
Stunned, I realized what this meant. The kidney was gone. My daughter, my Adeline, could not wait.
“Is Daddy still busy?” Adeline’s eyes flickered to the door before she looked away, defeated.
I spooned some chicken soup into her mouth, forcing a smile. “Daddy will come when he’s finished.”
At that moment, the door swung open. Adeline’s face lit up. “Daddy!”
Paul took her in his arms, his face the picture of a devoted father. I resisted the urge to tear down his facade and left the room in silence. He didn’t stay longer than five minutes.
“Feeling weak? Can’t keep pretending anymore?” I sneered.