Chapter 10

I spend the next day at the hospital, running tests. When I take off my clothes, even the nurses look shocked.

My body is covered in scars. Old scars piled on top of new ones. I don’t seem to feel any pain, letting the nurses run their tests.

The results come in fast. I’m severely anemic, and my heart and lungs aren’t working well.

I also swallowed a lot of hair, nails and other things. Even if I had two working kidneys, I wouldn’t be able to donate!

Chad doesn’t listen to the nurses, he just thinks I’m messing with him.

“Ashley, have you had enough fun? Didn’t they teach you anything in that mental hospital? I knew you wouldn’t want to donate a kidney.”

“Name your price!”

He grabs the organ donation papers, forcing me to sign. The nurse jumps in.

“This patient can’t have surgery right now, you can see that in the report!”

Chad shoves her away. The report falls to Carter’s feet. He picks it up, meeting my emotionless gaze.

Brittany looks worried.

“Ashley, Carter and I are getting married soon, I’ll give you anything else!”

Carter smiles, but then returns to the Carter that hates me.

“After all these years, have you not given up? I told you, I never loved you!”

He hands the report to Dad. Dad looks at the report, and looks at me with a mix of shock and anger.

Why can I stay so calm? Why am I like this? He seems to be struggling, but in the end he turns away.

Mom tries to read the report, but he distracts her. I don’t ask Chad for anything, I sign the papers.

The surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.