Cancer Scam, Sells My Kidney

Chapter 1

After I saw Jackson Sterling's cancer diagnosis, I immediately handed over the 0-00,000 I had painstakingly saved from my college part-time jobs to the hospital.

I was terrified it wouldn't be enough. I forced myself to go to the underground black market and sold one of my kidneys for 0-000,000.

I walked to the hospital room door, clutching the bag containing the 0-000,000. Suddenly, a burst of piercing laughter came from inside.

"Sierra Sutton is such a cheap girl. She fell for our trick again! Haha"

My hand froze on the doorknob.

What did they mean by... tricking me

I instinctively looked through the small glass window on the door. The man who looked incredibly weak before I left was now leaning lazily against the headboard.

Jackson had a cigarette in his mouth, nonchalantly blowing out a smoke ring.

He didn't look like he had cancer at all.

"It's been almost two years, and that stupid woman is still kept in the dark," one of his friends teased.

"If she hadn't stolen Chloe Quinn's first-place spot in the competition, Jackson wouldn't have gone to such lengths. He's the heir to a billion-dollar empire, yet he's been pretending to be a low-life in a run-down apartment."

"It's hilarious seeing that poor girl so devoted to him," another voice added.

"The punishment was supposed to end when Jackson and Chloe got engaged. The time is almost up. If you count it, he's punished her one hundred and eight times in two years, right"

"The first time, he lied and said he had no suit for an interview. She worked seventy-two hours without sleep to buy him one, only for that suit to be used as a rag by his maids."

"The second time, he faked a high fever. She withdrew from a major research final right on the spot just to rush to the hospital and take care of him..."

"Sigh, it's almost over. I'm actually going to miss having her as a source of entertainment."

Listening to the heartless laughter inside, my face, already pale from surgery, turned ghostly white.

The black-market surgery had been done without proper anesthesia. The memory of the blade slicing through my flesh still made my heart race.

But that physical pain was nothing compared to the agony tearing through my chest right now.

Jackson had been dating me just to punish me

Even his identity was a lie

With trembling hands, I took out my phone and typed "Jackson Sterling" into the search bar.

In an instant, a flood of information appeared.

"Heir to the Sterling Group, graduated from Harvard at twenty, worth billions. Engaged since childhood to Chloe Quinn, the heiress of the Quinn Group..."

So, Jackson was actually that prestigious.

I had been foolish enough to believe he was a poor orphan who couldn't even afford tuition, just like me.

When I was being harassed during my part-time job, Jackson had saved me like a hero. He pursued me relentlessly after that.

I thought I was lucky to have met someone with a similar background. I thought we could keep each other warm and become a family.

It was all a giant scam.

He approached me just to get revenge for his childhood sweetheart, Chloe.

Our relationship was a massive lie.

I looked at the face in the hospital room that now seemed so foreign through the smoke. Hearing their mockery, I felt like a total joke.

Tears were already streaming down my face. The heavy bag of cash in my arms felt like it was laughing at my stupidity.

For a liar, I had actually sacrificed one of my kidneys.

A passing nurse kindly checked on me. "Ma'am, do you need help"

I snapped back to reality. Seeing someone about to come out of the room, I hurried away. I thanked the nurse and dragged my weak body into a nearby restroom.

The mirror reflected a face as white as paper.

Memories of the past two years with Jackson flooded my mind.

To give him better nutrition, I took on three part-time jobs and squeezed in time for tutoring.

To make his life easier, I paid the rent every single month.

And today, to "cure" his cancer, I sold my kidney.

Two years of selfless devotion were met with nothing but ridicule.

The heart I had offered him on a silver platter was thrown to the ground and crushed.

How pathetic.

I wiped the tears from my face and called Professor Miller.

Two weeks ago, he told me there was a spot for a study abroad program. He wanted to recommend me.

At the time, I didn't want a long-distance relationship with Jackson, so I turned him down without hesitation.

Now that I knew the truth, there was no reason to sacrifice my future for him.

I didn't want to play this cat-and-mouse game for the elite anymore.

"Professor, I've changed my mind. I want to go abroad."

2.

Professor Miller sounded thrilled on the other end of the line.

"Sierra, you finally came to your sensesDon't worry about the costs. I'll apply for a grant from the department for you."

"I also know about your boyfriend's situation. I'll find a way to help with his medical bills, even if I have to start a fundraiser at school..."

"That's not necessary, Professor," I interrupted him softly.

"I can pay for the tuition myself. Please give the grant to someone who needs it more. As for the medical bills... they won't be needed anymore."

The professor didn't suspect anything. He just thought I had found the funds and was genuinely happy for me.

"That's great. Now you can focus on your studies. You have two weeks before you need to report. Use this time to handle your affairs here."

"Thank you, Professor."

I didn't explain further. After hanging up, I gripped my backpack tighter.

I didn't waste another second. I left the hospital and deposited all the cash into my account to pay for tuition and a flight.

In the end, only $400 was left of that 0-000,000.

I pressed my hand against my aching abdomen and looked at my balance with a bitter smile.

Strangely, I felt a bit relieved.

I was glad I heard the truth before I handed that money over to Jackson.

When I returned to the hospital room door, Jackson was the only one left inside.

I bit my lip and finally turned the handle.

Jackson had already dropped his arrogant act. He was back to being the "caring boyfriend."

"Sierra, why are you so late today"

My fingers curled as I lowered my eyes. "Something came up at school."

Jackson didn't doubt me. He grabbed my hand, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

"I have some great news for you."

I paused before asking, "What's the news"

"The doctor just told me it was a misdiagnosis. I don't have cancer. I'm perfectly healthy"

Of course.

I closed my eyes. I remembered the glimpse I caught of his phone screen earlier. My heart was filled with cold irony.

A contact named "Chloe" had messaged a group chat.

"Jackson, tell that poor girl it was a misdiagnosis now. I want to see her face when she realizes her hard-earned money was wasted for nothing. It'll be priceless"

Others in the group were cheering, calling it a brilliant move.

Some were even betting on whether I'd blow up at him.

The last message was Jackson's reply.

"As you wish, my lady."

For the past two years, Jackson had been so obedient to me. I thought I had found the perfect boyfriend.

I didn't realize his devotion was all based on Chloe's orders.

To them, I was just a toy.

I smiled faintly and said, "I'm just glad you're okay."

My calm reaction surprised him. He hesitated for a moment before speaking in a guilty tone.

"It's my fault for not getting a second opinion. Now all that money you saved up is gone for nothing."

I shook my head. "If it was for you, it was worth it."

I'd consider that money as payment to sever our two-year tie.

Spending 0-00,000 to live with the heir of the Sterling Group for two years... I guess a poor student like me came out ahead.

Those words hit Jackson like a sledgehammer to the heart.

As the Sterling heir, he had been surrounded by fakes and flatterers his whole life. He was immune to sweet talk.

But Sierra was different. She didn't know who he really was. Every word she said came from her heart.

She was willing to spend every penny she had saved over four years for him.

Even if that money was "wasted," she didn't have a single complaint.

Complex emotions swirled in Jackson's eyes. He suddenly pulled me into a hug.

"Sierra, thank you."

I looked down, hiding the mockery in my eyes.

When we got back to our small apartment on the outskirts of town, Jackson sighed as he lay on the cramped bed.

"There's no place like home."

I spoke softly. "You've worked hard."

Hard work indeed, for a prince who lived in a mansion and slept on a king-sized bed to squeeze onto this tiny mattress with me for two years.

Don't worry. Soon, we'll both be free.

3.

Jackson thought I was just pitying him for his time in the hospital. He sat up and wrapped his arms around my waist, burying his face in my neck.

"Sierra, meeting you is the luckiest thing that ever happened to me."

I didn't wear perfume. I only smelled like fresh shampoo, but Jackson seemed to find it intoxicating. His breathing grew heavy, and his grip tightened.

My surgical wound from this morning was suddenly squeezed. My face went pale, and I gasped in pain.

Jackson immediately let go, looking at me with concern.

"What's wrongWhy do you look so pale"

I forced a smile. "It's nothing. Just some period cramps."

Jackson placed his warm palm on my lower abdomen and pulled me into his chest.

"Let me warm you up."

I didn't push him away. I just closed my eyes.

But this little bit of warmth would never be enough to thaw my frozen heart.

Meeting Jackson was the greatest misfortune of my life.

The next morning, I got up early.

The rustling sound woke Jackson from his sleep. He opened his eyes to see me stuffing clothes from the closet into a suitcase.

He sat up instantly, a flash of panic hidden deep in his eyes.

"Why are you packing your clothesAre you going somewhere"

"I'm going to visit the director at the orphanage. I'm donating these old clothes to the kids."

I didn't look up as I continued folding.

After I left in two weeks, Jackson definitely wouldn't take these cheap clothes with him.

He was a wealthy heir. Everything in this apartment combined probably cost less than one of his shoes.

Instead of letting them go to waste, I'd rather give them to the children.

Jackson let out a small sigh of relief.

He knew I was grateful to the orphanage and that I went back every month with supplies.

"I'll go with you."

It was common for him to accompany me there.

But today, I didn't want him around.

This was my last visit before going abroad. I just wanted to say a proper goodbye.

Before I could say no, Jackson's phone rang loudly.

He glanced at the screen, immediately clutched the phone tight, and looked nervous.

"My boss needs me. I have to take this."

He scrambled out of bed and hurried into the tiny bathroom, slamming the door.

In a place this small, how good could the soundproofing be

I heard the sweet, high-pitched voice on the other end clearly.

"Jackson, come out and go shopping with me. I'm in a bad mood, so you have to come."

Jackson agreed without a second thought.

When he came out, he wore his usual apologetic expression.

"Sierra, I'm so sorry. I've been out for so long because of the hospital. My boss wants me back today. I can't go with you."

I didn't call him out on his lie. I just nodded calmly.

"Okay. Go do what you need to do."

Jackson dressed hurriedly and left.

Watching him walk away, I remembered the countless times he had left in the middle of the night or during our rare dates. Every time, the excuse was his boss.

I used to feel so bad for him. I told him to find another job.

But he would just wrap his arms around me from behind and rest his chin on my head.

"I'm not afraid of hard work," he'd say. "I'm just afraid of not having enough money to marry you and give you a good life."

Those sweet words had moved me so much.

From then on, I worked even harder. I even did errands for people at school, trying to save every cent.

I thought since Jackson was working so hard for our future, I couldn't be a burden.

Looking back, I was such a fool.

I had promised the kids snacks during my last visit. After packing the clothes, I headed to the mall.

I didn't have much money left, but it was enough to bring smiles to their faces.

I bought two huge bags of snacks and was heading toward the subway.

As I passed a high-end makeup store, a familiar voice hit my ears.

"Just buy them all. Testing them one by one is such a hassle."

I looked over and saw Jackson. He had a helpless but indulgent smile on his face as he stared at the girl in front of him.

Even though he complained, he still obediently held out his arm so she could swatch lipsticks on his skin.

The girl looked polished and expensive from head to toe. It had to be Chloe Quinn.

It seemed that every time Jackson's "boss" called, he was actually out with this princess.

Chloe pouted, looking annoyed. "You're willing to spend every day with that low-life, but you won't even shop with me"

Jackson rubbed her head affectionately. "How could that beI'm only doing it to get revenge for you. Let's buy these, and then I'll take you clothes shopping. I'm all yours today."

He waved his hand, telling the clerk to pack the entire set of lipsticks.

The clerk obviously recognized them. She quickly swiped Jackson's black card.

"Mr. Sterling, your total is 0-05,000. We look forward to seeing you again."

Fifteen thousand.

That number made me almost lose my balance.

In two years of dating, the gifts I received were mostly cheap $2 bracelets or 0-0 keychains.

The most expensive thing he ever gave me was a silver bangle that cost about $20.

I had been too afraid to even wear it. I kept it tucked away safely in a box.

And yet, fifteen thousand was just a casual way for him to cheer up his childhood friend.

The real Jackson Sterling was a man who spent money like water.

I couldn't stand watching their little romantic scene anymore. I turned to leave.

But my bags were too heavy. One of them ripped, and snacks spilled all over the floor.

The loud noise caught Jackson's attention.

The moment our eyes met, I saw his pupils shrink.

Panic and confusion flooded his face.

4.

"Sierra... I thought you were at the orphanage."

I pointed to the snacks on the ground. "I came to get some things for the kids."

Jackson instinctively tried to hide his shopping bags, but it was useless. Both his hands were full.

"I... I'm just helping my boss's daughter shopThe boss is busy today, so he asked me to accompany her. I didn't buy any of this."

The more he explained, the more panicked he looked.

His last sentence was clearly a desperate cover-up.

My eyes landed on the prominent brand logos on the bags.

I didn't know much about luxury brands, but if a set of lipsticks cost fifteen thousand, everything else must have been astronomically expensive.

"Your boss is certainly very wealthy."

Jackson was afraid of saying the wrong thing, so he didn't answer. He put the bags down to help me pick up the snacks.

But Chloe stepped forward with a smile. She placed her manicured hand on Jackson's shoulder, stopping him.

"Ms. Sutton, he's your boyfriend, but he can't help you right now. He still has to shop with me. That's his job today."

Jackson's foot froze. He looked at me with hesitation.

"Sierra, this is what the boss ordered. I..."

"I understand. I can do it myself. Go enjoy your shopping," I interrupted.

Why should I watch the prince and the princess perform in front of me

I just wanted them gone.

I knelt down and started picking things up on my own.

Jackson's fingers twitched, but he eventually let Chloe lead him away.

At the orphanage, the children were thrilled with the snacks. They swarmed around me, chirping happily.

Seeing their genuine smiles brought a rare bit of warmth to my heart.

The director noticed I was alone and asked curiously, "Where's JacksonWhy didn't he come with you"

I bit my lip, not knowing how to answer.

Seeing my expression, she assumed we had a fight. She patted my shoulder.

"Sierra, I watched you grow up. I know you've always wanted a family of your own."

"Jackson works three jobs to save up for your wedding. He protected you when you were in trouble. Every time he comes here, he's great with the kids. He's a good man. Don't let a small argument ruin things."

Bitterness filled my chest.

I hadn't told her about Jackson's "cancer."

She didn't know I sold a kidney to "save" him, only to find out it was all a lie.

Living with him for two years, I had felt his kindness.

But hadn't I given just as much, if not more

I had laid my heart bare before him.

That was why, when the truth came out, the pain was so unbearable. My heart felt like it had been shattered into pieces.

When I got home, Jackson had already prepared dinner.

"Sierra, shopping with the boss's daughter is part of my job. That's why I had to leave you there. Once I make enough money, I promise I'll never leave you behind again."

His voice was full of apology and self-reproach.

I had heard this lie so many times. It didn't affect me anymore. I just gave a dull "Mm" and sat down to eat.

Maybe because he was still shaken from almost getting caught, the meal was unusually quiet.

As soon as I put my fork down, Jackson mysteriously produced a small box.

"Sierra, you worked so hard taking care of me in the hospital. The boss's daughter was in a good mood today and gave me a big tip. I bought this for you. Open it."

I took the box. Inside was a lipstick.

The logo was the same as the set he bought for Chloe today.

But...

I felt the sticky residue on the bottom of the box. I pulled my lips into a mocking smirk.

The label had probably just been ripped off.

I didn't know luxury makeup, but I knew that only "gift with purchase" items had those specific stickers on the box.

I got a free sample, while he spent fifteen thousand on a set for Chloe.

In Jackson's heart, an orphan like me only deserved free handouts.

Seeing my blank expression, Jackson looked surprised.

In the past, I would have treated any gift from him like a treasure. Today, there was no reaction.

"What's wrongDon't you like the colorI don't know much about makeup. I let the clerk pick it."

I set the box aside and shook my head. "Don't waste your money on me."

We were about to part ways anyway. I didn't want any more financial ties with him.

Jackson looked relieved. He thought I was just worried about the cost.

His face returned to that familiar, doting smile.

"It's only natural for me to spend money on my girlfriend. Besides, you spent all your savings on me. It's only right that I give back."

I didn't say anything else.

The day's travel between the orphanage and the apartment had exhausted me. I washed up and went to bed early.

The next morning, I was woken up by a phone call.

It was Professor Miller, and he sounded frantic.

"Sierra, someone filed an official report against your thesis for data fabricationThe university is launching an investigation into you right now"

5.

I sat up in bed, completely shocked.

Data fabrication is a death sentence in the academic world.

If the charge stuck, I wouldn't just fail to graduateDmy study abroad spot would be revoked too.

I couldn't understand it. I spent a month pulling all-nighters in the lab to get that data. Who would report me

"Professor, you know I did those experiments myself. I would never cheat."

Professor Miller sighed heavily.

"My belief isn't enough. You need proof."

"But graduation is less than two weeks away. Even if you submit your lab logs, the review process won't finish in time for the degree audit."

"The only way is to talk to the person who reported you and get them to withdraw it."

I asked quickly, "Who reported me"

"Chloe Quinn."

When I heard that name, a sense of helplessness washed over me.

Why wouldn't this rich girl just leave me alone

Was playing with my feelings through Jackson not enoughDid she have to ruin my entire career too

The spot next to me in bed was already cold. Jackson was nowhere to be found.

I didn't have Chloe's contact info, and I had no idea where to find her.

Left with no choice, I looked up the address for the Quinn Group and rushed there, hoping to catch her.

I stood outside from 9 AM until 1 PM. For four hours, I didn't even have a drop of water.

My body, still recovering from having a kidney removed, couldn't handle the standing or the hunger.

Just as I was about to collapse, two familiar figures walked out of the main entrance.

It was Chloe and Jackson.

I gritted my teeth and held my side, blocking their path.

Jackson didn't expect to see me. He looked panicked. "Sierra, what are you doing here"

At that moment, I only cared about the report. I didn't have time for anything else.

"Ms. Quinn, I did that research myself. There was no fabrication. Please withdraw your report."

Jackson clearly didn't know about this. "Wait, what..."

Chloe interrupted him with a smile.

"Ms. Sutton, I just have my suspicions. What can I sayThe university will clear it up once they finish their investigation."

An investigation would take at least two weeks. I didn't have that kind of time.

"Ms. Quinn, what do I have to do for you to withdraw it"

I knew she was doing this on purpose. There was no point in beating around the bush.

Chloe lazily toyed with her long, manicured nails, not even looking at me.

"You ruined my mood yesterday while I was shopping. How about thisStand here and apologize to me loudly until I'm satisfied. Then maybe I'll withdraw the report. What do you think"

Jackson's brow furrowed slightly. His hands twitched at his sides, but he didn't say a word.

I took a deep breath, pushing down the rage in my chest.

In front of the crowd entering and leaving the building, I spoke each word clearly.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Judgmental eyes from every direction landed on me.

I had never felt so humiliated. I felt like I had been stripped naked and thrown into the street for everyone to laugh at.

But I had no other choice.

"I'm sorry. Please forgive me."

Chloe let out a soft laugh. "Why are you so quiet"

I closed my eyes. Ignoring the sharp pain in my abdomen, I raised my voice and repeated it mechanically.

"I'm sorryPlease forgive me"

Under the mocking glares of the crowd and Chloe's cruel amusement, I lost track of how many times I said it.

But Chloe showed no sign of stopping.

Suddenly, a group of people appeared from nowhere. They started throwing eggs and rotten vegetables at me.

"Cheater" "Loser" "Shameless b*tch" they screamed.

I tried to dodge, but more people surrounded me, trapping me in place.

They grew bolder. Someone grabbed my hair, pulling it so hard it burned.

I wanted to scream for help, but my voice was drowned out by their shouting.

Someone stuck a foot out, and I tripped, falling hard onto the pavement.

Countless feet stepped on my legs and arms. Slaps rained down on my face.

My surgical wound, which hadn't fully healed, began to bleed. It was an agonizing, piercing pain.

Seeing a foot aiming right for my stomach where the incision was, I closed my eyes in despair.

"Get the hell away from her"

The crowd was shoved aside by a pair of strong hands.

I used the last of my strength to look up. Jackson's face was a mask of terrifying rage.

When he saw how battered I was on the ground, a look of pure panic and urgency filled his eyes.

The pain in my abdomen became unbearable, and I blacked out.

When I woke up, all I saw was white.

Faint voices drifted in from outside the hospital room.

"Who told you to hire those people" Jackson roared.

"We thought just making her apologize wasn't enough. We wanted to teach her a real lesson. We're supposed to be punishing her anyway. Isn't this betterThe two years are almost up. If we don't mess with her now, we won't get another chance."

"Do you have any idea that a stampede can kill someoneIf I hadn't stepped in, she could have died"

The hallway went silent for a moment. They seemed shocked by Jackson's fury.

"Jackson... why do you care so much about herYou didn't... actually catch feelings for her, did you"

6.

Jackson's angry expression froze instantly. He instinctively snapped back.

"As if"

How could he possibly fall for Sierra Sutton

He only dated her to punish and prank her.

The only one he loved was Chloe Quinn, his future fiance.

He told himself he had just gotten too used to playing the role of the devoted boyfriend. It was just a reflex.

Yes. That had to be it.

Jackson kept repeating that in his mind, burying the stray emotion.

The others went back to their joking.

"I knew it. No way you'd fall for a peasant."

"Your engagement to Chloe is coming up soon. There isn't much time left to mess with her. Man, I'm going to miss this."

The voices faded away until there was only silence.

I lay in the bed, a single tear rolling down my cheek.

When Jackson walked in, his heart skipped a beat seeing my hollow eyes.

He reached out with a trembling hand to touch my cheek. There was a hidden agony in his gaze.

"Sierra, it's not that I didn't want to help. I can't disobey my boss's daughter, so..."

His first words were still a lie.

I twitched the corner of my mouth. I felt nothing.

After two years, I didn't believe he didn't know who I really was.

He had stood there silently while Chloe humiliated me. He had stood there watching while a mob beat me.

I knew then that the man who had once protected me two years ago was gone.

The last shred of my affection vanished.

"How are you feelingDoes it still hurt"

A doctor walked in with a chart, looking grave.

"Sierra, the tests show that you..."

"Doctor, I know my condition. You don't need to say anything," I interrupted quickly.

The doctor looked at the two of us and sighed before leaving the room.

Jackson felt a surge of panic. "What's wrong with your bodySierra, are you sick"

His voice was shaking, though he didn't seem to realize it.

I forced a smile. "It's nothing. Just low blood sugar and some scrapes. It's an old issue."

Jackson knew about my blood sugar. He relaxed slightly.

He looked at meDpale, covered in scratches and bruises. He spoke with difficulty.

"Sierra, I'm sorry. I didn't protect you today. I let you get hurt."

"I wanted to pull you out, but there were too many people. It took me a while to reach you."

As he spoke, his eyes kept darting away. He couldn't look me in the eye.

Whether he knew about the report or not didn't matter. The fact was, he chose to stand with Chloe today.

I pushed down the stabbing pain in my heart and pulled the blanket over my head.

"I understand. Go back now. Don't let me hold up your work."

Seeing me so weak yet still "considering him" filled Jackson with guilt.

He stared at me for a long time. Finally, he placed a warm hand on my head through the blanket.

"Sierra, I promise I will never let you suffer again."

What a touching promise.

Too bad it was a lie.

Once the fabrication issue was resolved, the graduation and study abroad paperwork went through smoothly.

Even though the doctor urged me to stay a few more days, I insisted on being discharged.

When I returned to the apartment, everything was exactly as I had left it. Jackson hadn't been home for days.

A notification popped up on my phone. I clicked it.

"Breaking NewsThe Sterling and Quinn families unite. Engagement ceremony to be held in seven days"

My breath hitched.

So, Jackson had been busy with his engagement.

The "end of the punishment" they mentioned must be the day he gets engaged. Seven days from now.

I opened my travel app. My flight was in six days.

I would be gone before their "punishment" even finished.

I sighed and started gathering all our couple-themed items.

Matching mugs, matching towels, matching keychains...

Jackson and I didn't need these anymore.

I packed them into a box and headed downstairs to throw them out.

I didn't expect to run into Jackson at the door.

He looked at the box of items we had carefully picked out together. His breathing hitched, and his voice trembled.

"Why are you throwing these away"

7.

"I don't need them anymore. We can buy new ones later," I said.

He could buy new ones with Chloe after they got married.

After I threw the box away and walked back up, I heard Jackson's muffled voice from inside.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I'll make sure she shows up at our engagement party."

A girlish whine came from the phone.

"Hmph. I can't wait to see her face when she realizes her boyfriend of two years is my fianc. She wanted to be a star student, rightI'll give her all the attention she wants"

My nails dug into my palms. It took a long time to let go.

I forced a stiff smile.

I'm afraid their plan is going to fail.

Sure enough, when I walked in, Jackson handed me an invitation.

"Sierra, there's an event in seven days. I want you to come with me. You have to be there."

I stared at him for a long time before taking it. I whispered, "Okay."

Even if I couldn't go, I would still send them an engagement gift.

He gave me two years of lies and one hundred and eight punishments. It was only right that I returned the favor.

Over the next few days, Jackson used work as an excuse and never came back.

I used that time to finish packing my life.

On my second-to-last day, the university held a graduation gala.

I had moved out of the dorms long ago, but I was still close with my roommates.

I was going to be gone for at least two years. I wanted to use the gala to say goodbye.

I didn't expect to see Chloe and Jackson there.

Chloe had her arm linked with Jackson's. She wore a fake, innocent smile.

"Ms. Sutton, I knew it was your graduation today. I gave your boyfriend the day off so he could come here and congratulate you."

I knew the malice hiding behind that pretty face. I took a step back to keep my distance.

Chloe acted as if she didn't notice and moved closer to me.

I didn't realize there was a champagne tower on the table behind me.

Chloe's eyes flickered. She suddenly gasped and lunged toward me.

I instinctively dodged backward, knocking into the tower.

In an instant, tiers of glass and champagne came crashing down on us.

Without a second thought, Jackson moved with lightning speed. He grabbed Chloe and pulled her into his arms, shielding her completely.

I fell hard onto the floor. Countless glass shards pierced my skin. Blood mixed with champagne pooled around me. I looked like I had been fished out of a river of red.

The alcohol stung my unhealed surgical wound. It was excruciating.

My vision blurred. I saw Jackson frantically checking Chloe for injuries.

In a daze, I thought I saw that hero from two years ago again.

I reached out a bloody, trembling hand, trying to catch that last bit of warmth.

But I couldn't hold on. My arm fell heavily to the floor as everything went black.

8.

When I opened my eyes again, I was wrapped in bandages from head to toe.

The doctor looked at me with pity.

"There were too many glass shards in your body. It took five hours of surgery to get them all out."

"The body wounds aren't too deep and will heal with time. But your face... there was a very deep gash. The skin was torn. Even with stitches, there will be a scar. You need reconstructive surgery."

"The procedure costs $2,000. You should go pay the fee."

My $400 was not even close to enough.

I spoke with difficulty. "Doctor... I'm not doing the surgery."

The doctor frowned. "Think carefully. That scar is on your face."

What girl doesn't care about her looks

But I simply didn't have the money.

I was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"Then you can process your discharge. Just keep the wounds away from water."

My phone buzzed. I opened the message.

It was from Jackson.

"Sierra, my boss's daughter got hurt. I have to stay at the hospital with her. Go home on your own."

He hadn't even noticed that I was bleeding in that pile of glass.

Of course. At that moment, his entire world was Chloe. He had no room for me.

I struggled out of bed, enduring the pain to finish the paperwork.

As I reached the stairwell, I saw Chloe crying her eyes out, clutching her cheek.

"I won't be disfiguredI can't have a scar, not even a tiny oneOur engagement is tomorrow"

Jackson was patiently comforting her.

"Don't worry, Chloe. I won't let your face scar. I'll get you the best medicine and the best doctors."

A doctor nearby spoke up. "There is a very effective scar cream, but it's expensive. It's 0-0,500 a tube."

Jackson pulled out a black card.

"Chloe's face is what matters. Money is nothingGive me ten tubes. I won't let a single mark stay on her face"

Chloe finally smiled and hugged him.

"Jackson, I'm so glad you're here for me."

When she let go, I finally saw her "disfiguring" injury.

It was a tiny scratch with a speck of blood.

It was so small you had to squint to see it.

For that, Jackson acted like the world was ending and dropped 0-05,000 on cream.

I gently touched my own cheek.

Even through the bandages, I could feel the jagged stitches. I could imagine how horrific the wound looked.

Fifteen thousand...

That was more than my entire college savings and my surgery cost combined.

We truly lived in different worlds.

After finishing the paperwork, I went back to the apartment.

My flight was in less than four hours.

I had already packed most of my things.

Tomorrow was Jackson and Chloe's engagement. It was time to prepare their gift.

The free sample lipstick Jackson gave me.

The 0-0 hair tie from our 100-day anniversary.

The $2 plastic flowers from my 21st birthday.

The $3 silver-plated ring from our first anniversary.

And the most "expensive" giftDthe $20 silver bangle from our second anniversary.

Over two years, his gifts filled a whole box. They felt heavy.

But the total value was probably less than $50.

In his eyes, I was just a toy that deserved nothing but cheap junk.

Finally, I wrote a note on the back of the engagement invitation.

"I wish you both a happy life. Goodbye forever."

I placed the note on top of the box and called a courier. I told him to deliver it to the address on the invitation tomorrow at noon.

My phone sent a reminder. Three hours until boarding.

I grabbed my suitcase and took one last look at the place I once thought was home. Then, I left for the airport without looking back.

As the plane pierced the clouds, I left everything in this city behind.

From now on, everyone's life would return to its proper track.

Jackson Sterling would go back to being the billionaire prince.

And I would pursue my dreams across the ocean.

We would never cross paths again.