1 On the day Julian Astor received the Global Philanthropist Award, I was given my death sentence. The doctors told me there was no more money to replace my artificial heart. On the television, the host asked Julian to make a call to the person he regretted most. Without hesitation, he dialed my number. I answered the call, listening as Julian asked, “Did you ever regret leaving me for money?” I glanced at the colossal bill for a new artificial heart. A faint, bitter laugh escaped me. “Julian, you’re so incredibly rich. Could you lend me two hundred thousand dollars?” The call snapped shut. I watched Julian on screen, his face a mask of cold indifference, as he stated, “Now, I have no regrets.” He didn't know. Seven years ago, when his heart was failing, it was I who, without his knowledge, replaced his dying heart with my own. After the live broadcast ended, I immediately received a two-hundred-thousand dollars transfer from Julian. I froze for a moment, a wave of complex emotions washing over me. I used the money to pay my medical bills, then suddenly heard familiar voices just outside my hospital room. Peeking through the crack in the door, I saw Julian. Seven years had passed, and time seemed to have left no mark on him. The only thing that had changed was the person by his side. It wasn’t me anymore. The awards gala had just ended. He hadn’t even had time to change, yet he’d rushed to the hospital. All because his girlfriend, Ashley Hayes, was suffering from a slight stomach ache. I watched him hold her close, caressing her with an obvious, doting affection. I lowered my head, intending to pretend I hadn’t seen them, to quietly close the door. Julian yanked the door open. I jumped, my gaze snapping up to meet his. His eyes, chillingly cold, swept over my frail form. “It’s been a long time. You… you won’t even say hello?” I looked at him, my lips parting. A thousand words welled up, but they condensed into a single plea: “Julian, lend me another thirty thousand dollars.” Julian stiffened, and a flicker of anger ignited in his cold gaze. He grabbed my arm. “Seven years, and that’s all you have to say to me?!” The countless needle marks on my wrist pulsed with a dull, persistent ache. I took a deep breath, speaking softly. “Mr. Astor is so wealthy. If I don't ask for money, I’m afraid Ms. Hayes might misunderstand.” Julian looked taken aback, his expression momentarily complex. He was about to say something when Ashley wrapped her arms around his arm, feigning innocent surprise. “Darling, is this your ex-wife?” Ashley looked at me, her voice laced with a sugary pity. “What can thirty thousand dollars even do? Julian buys me shoes that cost fifty thousand!” She smiled, a hint of mockery in her tone. “It’s a shame Ms. Chen didn't know how to appreciate him. If you hadn't ruthlessly abandoned Julian, how would I have ever met him?” I remained silent, my mind drifting back in time. Julian and I met in college, fell in love, and spent five years by each other’s side. Back then, he wasn’t the billionaire entrepreneur he was today. My body wasn’t as broken as it was now. Two impoverished orphans, for the first time, found the person they cared about most. We fought hard to build a small family of our own. Just as our careers were starting to take off, Julian was diagnosed with a severe heart condition. Treatment and a transplant would cost a fortune. We drained all our savings, every penny we’d put into our startup. To raise money for his medical expenses, I worked multiple odd jobs every day, eating only one meal a day, making every penny stretch. I worked myself to exhaustion, just to scrounge up meager funds for his medication. We even switched his life-saving drugs to the cheapest, low-grade generics. Still, a suitable heart remained elusive. Just as I watched Julian grow thinner and weaker day by day, on the brink of despair, his doctor found me. He told me the match was successful. The person whose heart was a perfect match for Julian’s was me. My tangled thoughts ceased. Julian leaned down, affectionately kissing Ashley’s forehead, his eyes full of unspoken tenderness. “If it weren't for her heartlessness, how would I have met my little angel?” He turned back to Ashley. “That thirty-thousand-dollar bag you wanted? I’ll buy it for you when we get back. Next time, choose something more expensive. Your husband can afford it.” Watching them, the phantom prickle on my wrist from the IV needle seemed to pierce my very soul, choking me. I wrested my hand free from Julian’s grip, which he had never loosened. I no longer wanted to be a mere prop, a confirmation of their love story. Just as I was about to walk away, Ashley subtly extended her foot, tripping me. “Oh my, Ms. Chen, how clumsy of you!” I fell to my knees, my medical report scattering at Julian’s feet. Seeing me fall, Julian’s expression tightened. He instinctively reached out to help me. But Ashley caught his hand, gasping, “What’s this?” Julian’s gaze was drawn to the report on the floor. He picked it up, scanning it quickly. “Artificial heart replacement…” A flash of anger crossed Julian’s face. He flung the medical report at me. “Cassidy Chen, I can’t believe you’d use such a despicable trick, this kind of fraud, all for money!” 2 “You’re just like you were seven years ago, everything for money, only money in your eyes!” I rose, looking at Julian’s healthy body. A faint smile touched my lips as I silently picked up the medical report. “Mr. Astor knows I love money. Why not lend me a little more?” Ashley, feigning deep emotion, shook his muscular arm, tears welling in her eyes, but her gaze at me was filled with mockery and malice. “Darling, maybe it’s true?” Then, almost as an afterthought, “And… it was Ms. Chen leaving you that led to you getting a heart donation from a kind stranger!” She looked at me, then back at Julian. “Shouldn’t we help her?” Her words seemed to remind Julian of the 'fact' that I had abandoned him for money. The anger and hesitation in Julian’s eyes were instantly frozen into icy coldness. “The hearts of those kind strangers couldn’t save a heartless person like her. She doesn’t deserve it.” Julian pulled Ashley, turning away. Ashley continued to ‘plead’ for me, but the curve of her lips as she glanced back at me was so mocking, so vicious. I picked up the medical report, now covered in Ashley’s footprints. My artificial heart suddenly emitted a tremor that didn't belong. My vision blurred, their retreating figures gradually fading. After a long moment, I wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of my mouth, staring at the words “Artificial Heart Replacement.” My fingers brushed over the scar on my chest, a mark of seven years. Julian still didn’t know. The heart beating in his chest was mine. Seven years ago, because a suitable heart couldn't be found, Julian’s body grew weaker by the day. Artificial heart technology wasn't mature then; theoretically, it could sustain basic life, but it carried too many hidden risks. After the match was confirmed, I replaced his heart with my own. I, in turn, received an artificial heart with a theoretical lifespan of seven years. To save money, it was the cheapest kind. Since then, my chest would often be pierced by a sharp pain. Daily coughing up blood and sudden bouts of extreme weakness became commonplace. Also, because I had no money, the surgery to replace my artificial heart with a newer model was repeatedly delayed. Now, seven years had passed. The artificial heart in my chest gave its seventh sharp jolt. I knew it was already at its limit. … After leaving the hospital, I returned to my rented apartment. The room was small, damp and cold in winter, unbearably hot in summer, but cheap. Julian and I had once lived here, dreaming of our future together within these very walls. When I learned my heart was a match for his, I pretended to be a gold-digger, presenting him with divorce papers. Julian and I had shared five years. No matter how hard or tiring things got, I never once complained, always sticking by his side. He knew how deeply I loved him; he simply couldn’t believe I would abandon him. I also knew he loved me to his core. He would never have allowed me to sacrifice my life for his if he knew the truth. To save him, I had to harden my heart, feigning that I’d had enough. Enough of living by his side, enduring endless hardship. Enough of living without hope. Enough of eating cheap medicine, one meal a day, drinking cold water when thirsty, gnawing on stale bread, making every penny stretch. I told him I’d had enough of it all. I still remember that day. The boy who was always strong, who never feared hardship or pain, cried for the first time, signing the divorce papers through his tears. I also signed the organ donation agreement. After the surgery, I bore the scorn, completely leaving Julian, and returned to the rented apartment where we’d spent five years together. Silently, I awaited the death I had, by my own hand, embraced. I just never expected to see Julian again. Now, he had soared far beyond, embodying the ideal future we had both once envisioned. But I could never go back. Watching his triumphant image on the news, a pang of bittersweet sorrow pierced me. Yet, there was also a sense of quiet contentment. My phone rang, pulling me from my reverie. It was the bank. They informed me that the previous two-hundred-thousand-dollar transfer was a mistake. They required immediate repayment, or I would face legal consequences. I hung up, a wry, bitter smile on my face. I didn't know what to say. Julian hated me so much. He knew that I, the "money-grubber," needed payment in installments. He would certainly accept, and watch me exhaust myself trying to repay the debt. Because of my heart condition, my body was often weak, making many jobs impossible. I could only survive on occasional odd jobs. My best friend, Chloe, knew about my health. She found me a job as a banquet server. The work was relatively light, earning fifty dollars a day. As I put on the server’s uniform, donned a mask, and began serving drinks at the banquet, 3 I saw Julian again. He wore an expensive suit, his posture tall and commanding. Ashley, in a lavish evening gown, looked graceful and enchanting. Arm in arm, they seemed like a divine couple, surrounded and adored by everyone. I only glanced at them before immediately lowering my head. Julian, engrossed, didn’t recognize me as I served him wine. Just as I was about to turn away, Ashley suddenly spoke. “What kind of server are you? Didn’t you see you spilled wine on my dress?” My steps faltered. Only then did I notice a damp spot on the hem of Ashley’s gown. I didn’t speak, merely lowered my head and used a tissue to wipe away the stain. Julian watched me, his brows furrowed, his lips pressed into a tight line. Malice spread in Ashley’s eyes. Suddenly, she kicked me in the chest. A searing pain shot through me, and I collapsed to the floor, unable to suppress a cry of agony. “Don’t touch me with your dirty hands! Security! Get her out of here!” Ashley’s face feigned anger, but the triumphant smirk on her lips was impossible to hide. Even though only my eyes were visible, in that brief moment of eye contact, Julian recognized me. His lips trembled, a flicker of concern flashed in his eyes, only to be replaced by endless mockery. He raised a hand, stopping the security guard, and then ripped off my mask. “Cassidy Chen, seeing your ex-husband, aren’t you going to say hello?” Ashley feigned a sudden realization, rushing to pull me up. “Ms. Chen, is that really you? You’re Julian’s ex-wife! How can you be working as a server here?” The grand hall seemed to hit a mute button. A deafening silence descended. All eyes fixated on me. Then, a wave of ridicule swept through the room. “I heard Mr. Astor’s ex-wife abandoned him for money when he was at his lowest, suffering from a heart condition…” “Hmph, truly, the wicked get what they deserve.” “Abandoning Mr. Astor and now reduced to being a server, she completely deserves this!” Someone splashed red wine over my head. Then, wine rained down from all directions, glasses shattering on my body one after another. Dark red wine mixed with bright red blood, pooling on the floor. Clearly, these people, eager to curry favor with Julian, wanted to vent his anger for him. Blood streamed down my forehead, across my cheeks. Yet, I felt no pain, remaining silent. Julian watched me, his eyes unequivocally cold. “Cassidy Chen, why aren’t you speaking? Is it because talking to you also costs money?” Julian sneered, and a chorus of mocking laughter echoed around him. “You’re here as a server, aren’t you, just to ask me for money? I’ll satisfy you!” He waved a hand, and someone brought over a dozen bottles of expensive red wine, opening each one. “If you drink all this wine, I’ll give you thirty thousand dollars.” Now, he flung the money onto the floor, making the wine and blood on the ground look even more crimson. Julian’s face was etched with an unyielding coldness. Everyone in the hall watched the spectacle with mocking disdain. Since the artificial heart replacement, my body had become increasingly weak. I couldn’t lift anything heavy, couldn’t run or jump, and even walking a few steps left me gasping for breath. The alcohol that normal people used to numb themselves, even a small amount, could cause my artificial heart to fail. I looked up at him, a slight smile touching my lips. Finally, I spoke. “Then, that two hundred thousand dollars… I don't need to pay it back, do I?” Julian’s face froze, a flicker of raw fury igniting in his bone-chilling gaze. Then, a tight grinding sound came from his clenched jaw. “Fine!” At his answer, I smiled, then grabbed a bottle and began to pour the wine down my throat. The burning liquid filled my mouth, and my body instinctively gagged, almost vomiting. I forced myself to swallow, then another bottle, and another. Everyone watched, ironically, as if it were a joke. Only Julian’s face grew darker, grimmer. As I finished another bottle and reached for another, Julian finally couldn’t take it anymore. He grabbed my hand. “Cassidy Chen, without money, you’ll die, won’t you?!” Looking at his bloodshot eyes, I nodded. “You’re right. Without money, I’ll die.” He threw my hand away in a fit of rage. “Fine, then drink it all! Drink until you’re satisfied!” My body felt as heavy as if bound by a massive stone. The artificial heart in my chest seemed to have stopped beating. I smiled, took a shallow breath, and reached for the wine bottle, ready to drink again. Julian, unable to bear it any longer, snatched the bottle from my hand, letting out a raw, guttural roar. “Enough!” My body gave out completely, collapsing to the floor. Fine shards of glass pricked my skin, staining the ground crimson. Hearing the commotion, my best friend Chloe rushed over, cradling me in her arms in horror, and screamed at Julian: “Cassidy gave you her heart! She’s living on an artificial heart right now, she can’t drink alcohol at all, she could die, do you hear me?!” Julian, hearing Chloe’s desperate shout, froze as if struck by lightning. The mockery and coldness instantly crumbled from his face, replaced by endless shock and terror. His eyes widened, staring intensely at me in the pool of blood. His lips trembled, as if he wanted to say something, but all strength seemed to drain from him, unable to utter a single word. It felt like an eternity before he finally spoke. “Cassidy Chen, I can’t believe you’d come up with such a lie, even this, all for money!” I trembled as I stood, meeting his gaze with a cold smile. To him, I had once abandoned him for money, at his most painful and difficult moment. Now that he was successful, I, this shameless woman, would naturally abandon my dignity and spin lies for money. I met his disgusted, icy stare. Even though I no longer had my original heart, my chest inexplicably twisted with pain. “Cassidy Chen, you really went to great lengths to deceive me.” I slowly pulled away from Chloe’s support. Though my body could barely bear its own weight, I managed to stand steady on my own. I looked at Julian and smiled. “I never expected you to figure it out.” After saying that, I glanced at Chloe. Her eyes flickered with surprise, then she seemed to realize something, and her slightly parted mouth closed with difficulty. Tears streamed from her eyes, unstoppable. She didn’t understand why I still refused to tell the truth, even now. Julian scoffed. “You’re still as shameless as ever!” I simply smiled, saying nothing more. Seeing my demeanor, Julian seemed to grow even angrier. He was about to speak when Ashley suddenly grabbed his hand. “Honey, Ms. Chen must have a reason for faking being a heart donor to scam money from you. Just help her out!” Julian glanced at me, some of the anger receding from his face. He scoffed, signing a check, and tossed it at me. “Fine. Your friend says drinking will kill you? Then keep this money. Use it to buy a burial plot!” I bent down, picked up the check from the floor, and carefully smoothed it out. “Thank you for your generosity, Mr. Astor.” Seeing me stumble, almost falling, Ashley, feigning sympathy, walked over to steady me, her nails digging sharply into my flesh. “Ms. Chen, no matter how little you value your own body, you shouldn't sell your heart!” I forcefully pulled my hand away. Ashley, in turn, pretended to be pushed, tumbling dramatically into Julian’s arms. “Ms. Chen, I just wanted to help you…” Ashley looked at me pitifully, squeezing out two tears from the corners of her eyes. Julian’s anger surged, his eyes filled with immense disappointment. He immediately called security and had Chloe and me escorted out. In the biting cold wind, Chloe’s tears finally burst forth. She looked at me heartbroken. “Why won’t you tell him, even now? If only you told him the truth, you wouldn’t have to endure all this…” I just smiled, shaking the check in my hand. “It’s all in the past now. What’s the point of saying more?” I gave a small shrug. “Look, this thirty thousand dollars, it would take me ages to earn.” Chloe looked at me, still unable to resist asking, “Is it truly worth it for you to go through all this? He humiliated you so terribly…” I fell silent. Seven years ago, when I gave Julian my heart, it was never about whether it was 'worth it.' It was simply because I wanted to save him. That was all. Thinking of these things, perhaps the past thoughts were too complex. I suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood, my vision blurring. In my ears, I heard Chloe’s frantic shouts. When I woke again, I found myself in a hospital bed. The sterile white room hurt my eyes. Chloe sat by my bedside. Seeing me awake, she immediately grasped my hand, crying uncontrollably. “Cassidy, you… you scared me to death. How are you feeling?” I opened my mouth, my throat painfully dry. Soon, a doctor examined me. His face grave, he told me, “Ms. Chen, your body is no longer suitable for an artificial heart. If we cannot find a suitable match within three months, your life will be in danger.” I was speechless. Chloe was already weeping. Finding a suitable heart within three months was an incredibly slim chance. This almost certainly meant I only had three months left to live.
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