And for the first time, he hesitated.
Howard paused, an unusual flicker of concern in his tone. "Nikki, you're awake?"
Lora’s eyes darkened, but before she could speak, Howard’s phone rang. He answered, his expression shifting.
"What? Hewitt… The foster father is back to prepare for the wedding?"
As he ended the call, both brothers exchanged a look, their gazes turning cold as they turned back to the woman on the hospital bed.
"You failed to force a marriage, so now you're using the foster father to threaten us?"
Brad sneered. "Nikki, you really never run out of tricks. You’re doing everything in your power to make one of us marry you."
"I’m telling you now—no matter how much pressure the elders put on us, we will never agree to marry you!"
At the mention of David, Nikki’s dull eyes finally lit up.
Even though the Hewitt brothers’ words were cruel, she no longer cared.
However, there was still one last question she needed to confirm.
Just as they were about to leave with Lora, Nikki spoke in a hoarse voice.
"Wait a moment."
"Howard, Brad—you both had a heart transplant when you were young because of a hereditary condition, right?"
The brothers exchanged glances, confused by her sudden question. They assumed she was trying to manipulate them by bringing up childhood memories.
Howard answered curtly. "Brad didn’t. I had a heart problem, but it healed before the transplant, so the surgery was never done. Why are you asking this?"
Nikki nodded, a sad, knowing smile forming on her lips.
"Okay. I understand now."
And with that, she could finally let go completely.
Howard stared at her pale face, an unshakable sense of unease creeping into his chest.
It felt as if something precious had just shattered—something he hadn’t even realized he had.
"Nikki, you—"
Before he could finish, Lora suddenly collapsed against him, trembling as she pleaded,
"Sister, please don’t force Howard and Brad anymore. If you want, I’ll even give up my place as the Bray family’s daughter. Isn't that enough?"
Brad, seeing Lora on the verge of fainting from emotion, shot Nikki a furious glare. Without warning, he grabbed her from the bed.
"Do you think donating a kidney and calling your adoptive father will be enough to threaten me?" He seethed. "Nikki, don’t you think you deserve this?"
They hurriedly picked Lora up and left, never sparing a glance at Nikki as she crumpled to the floor.