On Irwin’s left hand, his ring finger bore a clear indent—a mark left by a ring that had been there for a long time.
One that had only recently been removed.
Sue silently liked all of Ava’s posts.
A second later, Ava messaged her.
[Sue, did you see my posts? That’s my new boyfriend. Don’t we look perfect together?]
[If we get married, you’d give us your blessing, right?]
Sue didn’t reply for a long time.
Ava then started to crack.
[Sue, you’re smart. You must’ve recognized that the guy in the photos is Irwin, right?]
[I’ll be honest. Irwin and I have been together for a year. He never loved you.]
[Forced love never works. Let him go. I’ll love him for you.]
Tears dripped onto Sue’s screen.
Her trembling fingers hovered over the keyboard, unable to type.
But Ava wasn’t done.
More photos flooded in—a hotel room. A car. A swimming pool.
Even her own bed.
Traces of their love stained every image.
Sue wiped her tears, hands shaking as she finally typed one line.
[Where is my mom’s heart?]
Ava replied instantly.
[You already know? Well, if you agree to divorce Irwin, I’ll tell you.]
Sue didn’t hesitate.
[Fine.]
[It’s in Irwin’s office. Behind the bookshelf, there’s a hidden space. You’ll find what you’re looking for there.]
Without a second thought, Sue hailed a cab straight to B. Global.
Just as Ava said, there was a secret basement behind the bookshelf in his office.
The moment Sue stepped in, a chilling air enveloped her.
Her skin prickled with goosebumps.
A giant whiteboard hung on the wall, filled with countless plans.
[Plan 1: Backup Heart Donor]
[Plan 2: Artificial Heart]
[Plan 3: Conservative Treatment]
Every single plan—a path Irwin paved for Ava’s survival.
Sue finally understood.
Five years ago, Irwin had already collected multiple backup hearts for Ava.
But he couldn’t wait for a donor to arrive by air.
So instead, he forcibly took Sue’s mom’s heart—and gave it to Ava.
For the past five years, Ava had gone through countless artificial hearts.
Each heart’s data, every rejection her body experienced—meticulously recorded.
All for the sake of giving Ava more time.
And her mom’s heart?
It had been preserved.
Sealed in this dark, hidden basement.
For five whole years!
A sharp pain stabbed through Sue’s chest.
Her legs buckled beneath her, sending her crashing to the floor.
Just then, her phone alarm rang.
It was a reminder—the countdown she had set. To leave.