Chapter 2

When Lily's cardiac arrest alarm blared, Dr. Arthur Sterling was on stage, delivering his acceptance speech for the 'Medical Innovator of the Year' award.

I sat in the audience, clutching the critical condition notice the hospital had just sent, feeling utterly frozen.

"Dr. Sterling, congratulations on your 'Artificial Cardiopulmonary Circulation System' winning the Gold Award! Who would you most like to thank at this moment?" The host beamed.

Under the spotlight, Arthur in his tailored suit looked utterly charming and composed.

He didn't look at me in the audience. Instead, his gaze drifted to a corner in the second row.

Serena Thorne was sitting there.

His first love.

"The person I most want to thank is a woman who taught me the true weight of life. It's her resilience that gave me the courage to constantly push the limits of medicine."

The entire hall erupted in applause.

Serena's eyes welled up, and she covered her mouth, her gaze filled with tears of happiness.

Watching this scene, my stomach churned, a wave of nausea washing over me.

My phone vibrated. It was Dr. Evans, Lily's attending physician.

"Ms. Hayes, the donor heart has arrived at the hospital, but... Vice Director Sterling just used his top-level clearance to reallocate that heart to the patient in VIP Room 8!"

I abruptly stood up, my chair scraping harshly against the floor.

Heads turned from all around.

Ignoring their curious stares, I practically ran out, my high heels clicking furiously.

VIP Room 8.

That was Leo's room, Serena's son.

Half a month ago, Lily's match was successful. I was overjoyed, thinking my daughter was finally saved.

Arthur had hugged me, saying, "Evelyn, our daughter is saved. I'll personally perform her surgery."

But now, he had personally given away Lily's only hope for survival.

When I arrived at the hospital, Arthur was standing outside VIP Room 8.

He had taken off his award ceremony suit, changing into sterile scrubs, and was softly comforting a crying Serena.

"Don't worry, the donor heart is very healthy. The success rate of the surgery is over ninety percent. Leo will soon be able to run around like any normal child."

"Arthur, thank you... Without you, my son and I really wouldn't be able to live." Serena leaned into his embrace, sobbing uncontrollably.

I walked over, raised my hand, and slapped Arthur hard across the face.

*Smack!*

The crisp sound of the slap echoed through the hallway.

Arthur's head snapped to the side. Serena shrieked and immediately shielded him.

"Evelyn! What the hell are you doing?!" Arthur turned back, his eyes blazing with fury.

I stared at him, my voice trembling uncontrollably, "That heart was Lily's! How dare you give it to someone else!"