Chapter 7

At noon the next day, Lilith strode into the hospital room with a big fake smile. "Hey, sis, I've got two pieces of news for you today—one good, one bad. Which one do you wanna hear first?" "I don't want to hear anything. Just get out!" "No can do," Lilith said with a sweet voice laced with menace. "I have to tell you. I just have to share it with you." Her smile deepened, but her eyes were filled with malice. "Let's start with the good news. The match test results are in—you and I are a perfect fit." "What?" Elena froze, disbelief written all over her face. "You should be congratulating me," Lilith sneered smugly. "And I guess you've already guessed the bad news. Since we're a match, I'll be taking your kidney." "You wish! Over my dead body, Lilith! You're a damn killer—I'd rather die than give you anything!" Lilith gave a cold little laugh. "Not your choice to make, actually. Uncle and Aunt already gave the nod. Even Emmanuel agrees. You don't really get a say." "You're dreaming. I'll never give you my kidney. I mean it, never!" Lilith stared at her like a predator. "Alright then, dear sister. Let's wait and see. Honestly? I'd prefer to watch you die than get your kidney." With that, she let out a terrifying laugh and walked away without looking back. As soon as she left, Elena lay in bed shaking with rage. What kind of monster was Lilith? How could someone be that twisted? First she tricked her, then killed her baby… and now she wanted her kidney too? No way. Over her dead body. But what Elena didn't expect was for Lilith to go even lower—she actually sent Emmanuel to try talking her into it. It was the first time Elena had seen him since she lost the baby. He looked thinner, more worn down. Seeing his tired face, Elena gave a bitter smirk. If it wasn't for Lilith, she figured he'd never have shown up. What a joke. She'd lost her child… and the father of that child was now standing there, asking her to save the woman who destroyed their baby. Did they honestly think she was that stupid? Emmanuel sat on the couch silently, lighting a cigarette. While he smoked, Elena kept her eyes locked on the ceiling, expression cold and distant.She was waiting—waiting for the man who'd once meant everything to her to say something cold and heartless. After what felt like forever, Emmanuel finally flicked away his cigarette and spoke. "How are you holding up?" "Not dead yet." Her voice was icy. Emmanuel paused for a second before continuing, "Elena, there's something I need to talk to you about." Elena didn't respond. She just sat there, quiet and still. He hesitated, then said, "Lilith's condition is serious. Your kidney's a match for hers…" "I'm not doing it." Elena let out a bitter laugh. "It's my kidney. Why should I just hand it over?" "She's your sister, Elena. You really don't remember how she ended up like this because of you?" That hit a nerve. Elena's eyes darkened. "No, Emmanuel. You've got it twisted. She's not like this because of me. She brought it on herself." "She's your sister," he said, frustration creeping into his tone. "Even if she weren't, most people would help a stranger. How can you be so cold?" Cold? Like hell she was. Elena laughed, but the sound had no warmth. "Oh, so I'm heartless now? If that's what you think, why come begging in the first place?" "It's just a kidney, Elena. People live perfectly fine with one. And Lilith is your blood." "I said no. A hundred times no. I don't care how you spin it, Emmanuel, it's not happening." Her voice was firm, unshakable. She would never give Lilith her kidney. Anyone else, maybe. But not Lilith—not the one who took her child from her. "I'm not here to negotiate," Emmanuel snapped. "You owe Lilith. Time to pay her back." "Then by all means, take it. Why waste your breath?" Elena laughed again, this time with a sharp edge. "You're Emmanuel. Nothing's impossible for you, right? If you want my kidney so badly, go ahead. You'll get what you want… just not with my consent." "If you know that, why keep resisting?" "I'm right here, Emmanuel," she said, eyes blazing. "If you're so determined, come and cut it out of me. I'd rather die than give a piece of myself to the person who murdered my child." He stood there for a second, frown deepening. Then without another word, he turned and walked away.