Chapter 444

Evelyn and Adam had barely stepped out of the hospital when someone suddenly rushed toward them. In full view of everyone, a woman grabbed Evelyn’s hand, tears streaming down her face. “Evelyn, I’m begging you, please save Sandy.”
“Sandy is critically ill, and without your friend’s kidney, she won’t make it,” she pleaded. “She’s only seven, so young and innocent. Please, have a heart. Don’t stop your friend from donating a kidney to her. The issues between adults shouldn’t involve the kids. Sandy hasn’t done anything wrong.”
Dahlia, the woman pleading, smartly avoided mentioning any past grievances between them. Most people, when they hear about a grudge between two
women, immediately jump to the idea of a love triangle-two women fighting over
one man.
Dahlia positioned herself as the moral authority, trying to guilt-trip Evelyn into agreeing to the donation.
“Don’t you dare lay a finger on Evelyn with your dirty hands!” Adam snapped. “It’s not Evelyn stopping me from donating; it’s me who refuses! Saving your daughter is less worthwhile than saving a stray dog!”
Dogs have the sense to know who treats them well and can show gratitude. But this mother and daughter duo? They’re like the snake from that fable, biting the hand that helps them.
“Get as far away as you can, or don’t blame me for what happens next!” Adam warned. Normally, Adam wouldn’t think of hitting a woman, but to him, Dahlia wasn’t even worthy of that consideration.
Adam roughly pushed Dahlia’s hand away, his irritation flaring. The mention of his late friend, Charlie, made his blood boil. How dare Dahlia come here, pleading for a kidney for Sandy, the little manipulator?
“Adam,” Evelyn said gently, reaching out to stop him. If pictures of this
confrontation got out, it wouldn’t look good for Adam. It wasn’t worth damaging his reputation over someone like Dahlia.
Adam met Evelyn’s gaze. They’d grown up together and could communicate without words. With just one look, Adam understood that Evely had her own way of handling the situation without resorting to violence. So, he stepped back, standing shoulder to shoulder with Evelyn once more. No matter what, he was always by her side.
Dahlia, regaining her composure, moved forward again, continuing her tearful plea. “Evelyn, I know Adam’s refusing to help Sandy because of you. Please, I’m begging you, have mercy and save Sandy.”
“I’ll do whatever you ask if you’re willing to save Sandy!” Dahlia declared, confident that Evelyn wouldn’t dare make her do anything embarassing in front of everyone. Evelyn was just too soft-hearted, too concerned about others’ feelings and opinions. Kindness often got mistaken for weakness. Dahlia thought she had Evelyn cornered.
But Evelyn’s response caught her off guard. Evelyn calmly replied, “Is that so? Then kneel and beg until I’m satisfied!”
The crowd erupted in shock. They began scolding Evelyn. “How can you be so heartless? Her daughter is suffering from kidney failure, and you choose to humiliate a desperate mother? If you want to donate, do it. If not, just say no. Why torment her?”
“You’re a woman too, and you’ll be a mother someday. Aren’t you afraid of karma?”
Hearing the crowd rally to her defense, Dahlia felt a surge of satisfaction. She was waiting for Evelyn to be shamed into submission, pressured by public opinion to give in.
But Evelyn remained unaffected by the crowd’s harsh words, staring coolly at Dahlia. She spoke again, “Aren’t you supposed to love your daughter? What’s stopping you? Is kneeling and begging such a simple task beyond you? Do you really love your daughter?”