"Justin, thank goodness I have you," she wept. "Without you, what would a widow and her orphan do?"
Dark fire ignited in my chest.
This was Brooklyn's doing. The moment Carter needed surgery, her son suddenly fell ill. No coincidence.
I wanted to storm in and tear down their façade. But their next words nailed me to the floor.
Brooklyn's voice dropped to a whisper. "Justin... if your wife finds out we took Carter's match, what will we do?"
Conflict flickered across his face. Brooklyn let a fresh tear fall.
"Tommy's illness hit so fast. But Carter... his condition is chronic. He can wait..."
The doctor beside them nodded. "Yes, Director. Your son's body can handle a few more months."
Lies. Carter was late-stage. He didn't have months.
I stared at the doctor. He wouldn't meet my eyes. Brooklyn had bought him.
Justin's expression hardened.
"Don't worry, Brooklyn. My brother's dying wish was for me to protect you and Tommy," he said. "Carter can wait. If Ava asks, I'll say the hospital made a mistake."
Coldness spread through me until I felt numb.
My nails pierced my palms. The pain was all that kept me from slapping them both.
Did he have any idea how hard it was to find a match?
If I hadn't overheard this, would I have waited by my son's bed like a fool while Justin handed his life to a nephew who was barely sick?
Rage shook through me. But I had no leverage. Justin was Director. The hospital answered to him.
I needed a higher power.
A memory surfaced. In my previous life, I'd saved a young man—a rising business titan. He'd promised me a favor. Said he could solve anything.
