The Liver Donor Marriage Plot

I had spent two whole years playing nursemaid to Caleb Sterling's little sister. Finally, he decided it was time to put a ring on my finger.

I was floating on cloud nine as I went to pick out my wedding dress.

But when I went to find him after my fitting, I overheard a phone call between him and Mandy Sutton.

"I know you're only marrying that bitch Nora Vance because you have to for Cassie's sake, but it still hurts," Mandy whined.

She wouldn't stop complaining, but Caleb just listened with endless patience. He comforted her with a voice so sweet it made my skin crawl.

"Don't worry, Mandy. Once she finishes donating her liver to my sister, she'll be completely useless," he said.

"Since she's been so careful taking care of Cassie, I'll make sure she dies without any pain."

"She doesn't have any other family. Once she has an accident on the operating table, I'll inherit every cent she owns. Then, I'll give you the wedding of your dreams."

My legs turned to jelly, and I nearly hit the floor. I realized my entire body was drenched in a cold sweat.

I looked down at the gorgeous lace of my wedding dress. I thought this was the start of my happily ever after, but it was actually the beginning of a nightmare.

I stayed hidden for a long time before I finally forced myself to walk out. Caleb was staring at his phone, only looking up when he heard me moving.

There was no spark of admiration in his eyes. Instead, he looked annoyed.

The dress was beautiful, and I would have loved it if I hadn't heard that call. I would have asked him if I looked pretty.

But I did hear it. Maybe my parents were watching over me from heaven, waking me up before I stepped off the cliff.

They must have been frantic up there, blaming themselves for not being able to protect their daughter from a predator.

They probably moved mountains just to make sure I saw Caleb's true colors before the wedding.

"That one is fine. Just take it and let's go, stop wasting time," he said.

Hearing his dismissive tone, I suddenly couldn't understand what I had ever seen in him.

"Caleb, why do you even want to marry me?" I asked.

It was a simple question, but Caleb's face instantly darkened.

He avoided my gaze, but his voice was sharp with unearned anger.

"Nora, can you stop with the nonsense? Don't start a fight over nothing."

"You just want to hear me say I love you, right? I told you, I'm marrying you to be responsible. It's not about love!"

He raised his voice so loud that the other customers in the bridal boutique started staring.

Even with everyone watching, Caleb didn't tone it down.

"Nora, if you want to get married, do it. If not, then get lost."

"If Cassie didn't like you so much and insist on this, do you really think I'd want to be with you?"

He didn't think he'd said anything wrong. He had no idea I could see right through his hypocrisy now.

He would rather use his sick sister as an excuse than lie and say he loved me.

He hated me so much that he couldn't even bring himself to play the part of a loving fianc.

"Fine. Then I'll get lost," I said.

I moved faster than I ever had, stripping off the dress and changing back into my clothes. Before I left, I couldn't stop myself from slapping Caleb hard across the face.

He didn't expect it. After the shock wore off, his eyes turned murderous.

Before he could start screaming, I spoke with ice in my veins. "Caleb, the wedding is off. I'm done."

I marched out of the store and drove away as fast as the speed limit allowed.

Once I got home, my composure shattered.

I always knew Caleb had a childhood sweetheart.

According to him, Mandy Sutton was the sunshine of his life.

She had lit up his entire youth and was the only spark in his miserable childhood.

He had followed her like a puppy. The quiet, straight-A student had been willing to skip class and get into fights just for her.

But later, she chose to leave him in the name of freedom and finding herself.

I thought he had moved on. I thought that was why he let me stay by his side and help him care for his sick sister.

I didn't realize that even his sweet little sister was on Mandy's side.

I had been Caleb's personal maid and ATM, all because of his silver tongue.

But that wasn't enough for them. They wanted my life and the inheritance my parents left me.

The weight of it all crushed me, and I broke down in tears.

2.

I started packing my bags immediately.

Even though Caleb and I didn't live together, my house was covered in his fingerprints.

To take better care of Cassie, I had moved her into my guest room.

If it weren't for love, why would a girl who grew up with everything do all the dirty work?

I had learned to cook specialized meals, did all the laundry, and spent nights in hospital chairs. I tried to be the perfect caregiver.

Now, I realized I was just a pathetic fool.

I called a cleaning service to throw everything of his away. Soon, the house looked spotless and empty.

It hit me then that ever since I moved to Savannah, my entire world had revolved around Caleb.

Even in my own home, there was barely anything that belonged to me.

I went upstairs and found a fancy gift box in Caleb's room.

Inside was a diamond jewelry set. I noticed initials engraved on the insideDMandy's initials.

There was a card too. It said, "To my one true love."

He had custom-ordered this set for Mandy.

The most hilarious part? He had used my credit card to pay for it.

Anger boiled in my chest. I handed the box to the cleaning lady as a tip.

He didn't deserve my things. I'd rather give them to a stranger than let them profit.

I had the staff toss the rest of his junk onto the sidewalk and changed the locks on the front door.

I called a real estate agent to list the house and bought a one-way ticket to New York City.

Before I flipped my phone to airplane mode, I saw a string of texts from Caleb.

"Nora, it's late. Why haven't you brought Cassie her dinner yet?"

"Don't think that just because the invitations are out, I'm forced to marry you."

"You embarrassed me at the shop today. We aren't finished!"

"Get over here and apologize to me and Cassie right now, or the wedding is cancelled!"

Every word screamed his arrogance.

It was almost funny. I blocked his number without a second thought.

A few minutes later, one of Caleb's best friends called me.

"Hey, Nora, did you and Caleb have a spat? You can't just go around hitting people in public."

"Dinner time is over, and you're not at the hospital. How is Caleb supposed to handle her alone?"

Listening to his condescending lecture, I lost all my patience. "Go to hell."

"Who do you think you are, trying to educate me?"

I hung up before he could respond and blocked every single person associated with Caleb.

I should have done this a long time ago.

Whenever I hung out with Caleb's friends, they helped him gaslight me. They always made sure to mention how I wasn't as good as Mandy.

Good. They could all rot in the trash together.

Since Mandy was so amazing, she could go take care of Cassie. Why were they calling me?

When I woke up, the plane had touched down.

Looking out at the New York skyline, the heavy weight on my chest finally lifted.

I had wasted two years in Savannah.

But I was only twenty-four, and New York was my real home.

My friends were here. My life was just beginning.

As soon as I stepped into the terminal, I saw my best friend holding a bouquet of flowers.

She ran over and gave me a hug so tight I could barely breathe.

"Nora, you're finally back! I'm never letting you leave again."

Chloe Miller squeezed my hand and looked me up and down like she was checking for injuries.

Her voice cracked as she said, "Caleb is a piece of trash. I can't believe he lied to you and used you as a nanny."

"And he wanted your liver for his sister? The man has no shame."

Watching Chloe get so angry on my behalf made my emotions bubble over again.

She saw me crying and immediately started shushing me, trying to comfort me.

I held back my tears and told her the whole truthDhow Caleb and Mandy planned to kill me for my money.

Chloe's face turned bright red with rage.

Before she could explode, her uncle, Silas Miller, beat her to it.

"He's a dead man," Silas growled.

His voice was so cold and full of fury that both Chloe and I jumped.

He pulled out his phone and made a call. "Run a full check on Caleb Sterling and Mandy Sutton. I want everything on my desk by morning."

I looked at him in surprise. He seemed even angrier than I was.

Silas caught my eye and quickly looked away, looking strangely awkward.

Chloe saw the tension and pulled me toward the exit. "Don't worry, Nora. With my uncle involved, those two are going to pay for what they did."

I was deeply moved by her words.

Even Chloe's uncle, who I barely knew, was willing to protect me.

Meanwhile, the man I'd spent two years with was planning to harvest my organs and take my life.

It was as heartbreaking as it was pathetic.

I had just finished dinner with Chloe when my phone buzzed.

It was an unknown number from Savannah.

Thinking it was the real estate agent, I picked it up.

It was Caleb.

He must have borrowed someone else's phone. As soon as I answered, his screaming hit my ear.

"Nora Vance, where the hell are you? You actually blocked me? Who do you think you are?"

"It's almost night. Why aren't you at the hospital? Are you trying to throw a tantrum because you know Cassie only wants you?"

"You think threatening me like this will work? I'm telling you, there are plenty of people who can do your job."

"You have thirty minutes to get back here and apologize to Cassie. She almost had an attack because of your drama! If you don't shape up, forget about the marriage license tomorrow!"

He sounded so entitled it was actually comical.

Did he only realize I was angry after he saw he was blocked?

Even knowing I was mad, he wouldn't lower himself to apologize.

He just kept blaming me and trying to break my spirit.

He probably thought that by calling me, I'd be so honored that I'd run back to be his slave.

On the other end, Caleb was still using the wedding as a threat.

Too bad for him, I didn't give a damn anymore.

I let out a dry, mocking laugh. "Caleb, did a zombie eat your brain? I told you, I'm not marrying you."

"Do you not understand English?"

"It means the wedding is off! I'd rather marry a stray dog than you!"

Caleb exploded.

He started barking orders at me again. "Nora, I already told my family! The invitations are out! You can't just decide to quit! What do you think this is? What am I to you?"

If this were the old me, I would have apologized and bought him an expensive gift to make up for it.

But this time, I was perfectly calm.

"Caleb, weren't you the one always saying we shouldn't get married?"

"Since you proposed, how many times have you used that threat? Every time I didn't do exactly what you wanted, you held the wedding over my head. You said it again this morning. I'm just giving you what you wanted."

He was stunned into silence for a few seconds. He wasn't used to me being so firm.

When he spoke again, his voice was suddenly much softer.

"Nora, marriage isn't a joke. I'm sorry I had a bad attitude earlier."

"You know how stressed I am. Cassie's condition is getting worse. I was just worried and lost my temper."

I felt a chill listening to him make excuses.

Even his apology was fake. He was just playing the victim to make me feel sorry for him so I'd keep giving him everything.

If I hadn't heard that phone call, I would have fallen for it. I would have felt guilty for not doing enough.

But now I knew he was just using me. He wanted me dead so he could have my money.

The blind, foolish Nora was gone. I wasn't going to let him step on me anymore.

I didn't wait for him to finish. I hung up and blocked the new number.

Any second spent on a man like him was a waste of my life.

That night, I stayed up late talking with Chloe, feeling happier than I had in years.

The next afternoon, Chloe and I were driving back to her place after shopping when a man blocked the driveway.

It was Caleb.

He looked absolutely furious, standing there like he'd been waiting for hours.

Chloe rolled down the window, and I looked out at him.

Caleb looked shocked for a second when he saw how good I looked.

For the past two years, I had been a full-time servant for his sister.

I was always running between the hospital and the house. I barely slept.

I never had time for makeup or nice clothes. I usually looked like a mess.

Caleb used to look at me with disgust and cover his nose.

"Nora, could you at least try to look presentable? You're embarrassing me," he would say.

I used to think he was just worried about me.

Now I knew he was just comparing me to Mandy and finding me lacking.

I didn't even want to get out of the car. I told Chloe to just drive around him.

But Caleb got desperate. He started shouting. "Nora, get out of the car! We need to talk!"

"You'll regret it if you don't!"