Chapter 13
The living room fell into dead silence.
None of them could utter a word. Clearly, they were shocked to hear such words from me. In their eyes, I was always submissive and
accommodating.
I no longer wanted to waste my time on them and limped back to my
room.
Late at night, lying in bed. I checked my phone calendar.
It was December 7th.
Only three days to go.
Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Antonio’s call.
I picked up the phone. “What’s up?”
Antonio’s familiar, pleasant voice rang out. “Grace, Kyla saved my life. She gave me one of her kidneys. So, even if you don’t agree. I still will marry her.”
I was utterly shocked.
I saved him, I gave him my kidney.
How come he thought it was Kyla?
“Antonio, when you were injured, I gave you my kidney. I saved your life.”
Chapter 13
I couldn’t help but tell him the truth.
He fell silent for a second.
Then he said, “Grace, after seven years in jail, you’ve learned to lie?
“Kyla saved my life, your parents and the doctors can prove it. You let me down so much.”
Lying on the cold bed, I suddenly couldn’t utter a word.
Eight years ago, Antonio was hurt by a business rival and needed a kidney transplant.
Without any hesitation, I got tested, upon learning it was a match. I gave him my kidney right away.
I gave him my kidney in exchange for his gratitude to Kyla.
And worst of all, I couldn’t even prove myself.
After quite a long time, I said to him.
“If you don’t believe me, forget it.
“I no longer wanna be with you anyway.”
Then I hung up the phone, closed my eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
***
It was the day before my departure.
I continued my part–time job at the restaurant and was surprised to see Naomi sitting at one of the tables.
When she saw me in the waitress‘ uniform, she seemed surprised, too, but
she quickly became as indifferent as ever
“Didn’t Mom and Dad give you money? Don’t tell me you’ve been waitressing here these days. What a disgrace.”
I didn’t know why she was here.
“I earn money through my own hands. How am I a disgrace?”
Naomi was choked on my words.
She stood up, saying. “Dad and Mom are already planning Kyla’s wedding. I hope you won’t set her off again.”
As she was about to leave, she suddenly noticed my limping leg, and for the first time, she looked concerned.
“Mom and Dad said one should walk gracefully. Your leg… Go see a doctor and get your leg treated.”
I couldn’t say I was moved as I watched her retreating figure.
In fact, when I first returned to the Parrish’s villa, I was overjoyed when I saw Naomi, my younger sister.
I remembered that the first year I returned, it was her birthday that day. I used the money I earned from working part–time for half a year to buy her a necklace, but she tossed it to a servant right away. “What brand is this? I don’t wear cheap stuff. Don’t buy me things ever again.”
What Kyla got her was a cheap, small cake.
Yet Naomi was over the moon. She said, “Kyla, you’re the best. You remember my birthday and that I love cake.”
At that very moment, I understood one thing.
I had no sister.
I’d leave Osmal City tomorrow night.
So, today, after finishing my last day of work and collecting my wages, I walked out of the restaurant.
That familiar Rolls–Royce Phantom was parked at the mall entrance.
Before I could approach it, I saw countless fireworks lit up the sky above Allon Commercial Street.
Right after that, countless drones formed a sentence in the night sky.
“Antonio loves Grace forever.”
