“How’s the surgery coming along? Did they find a donor?” Charlotte asked, her tone light and cheerful.
Her smile brightened as she added, “Oh, I was just about to tell you—Mother sent word. It’s all settled. The donor is from Cedar Creek and the surgery is scheduled for the end of the month. The paperwork’s already signed.”
Christopher gave a small nod. “Be sure to thank them. This surgery is risky—you could still die on the operating table.”
Charlotte frowned, brushing the concern aside with a casual wave. “There’s no need. Mother mentioned the donor insisted on staying anonymous. Apparently, they didn’t want to meet me and even refused the money we offered.”
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she added, “From what Mother said, the donor has been dealing with depression for a long time—didn’t want to live anymore. It took a lot of convincing for them to agree. Let’s not bother them unnecessarily.”
Charlotte’s emotions were a whirlwind that day—disheartened by Christopher’s persistent concern for Evelyn, yet buoyed by the news of her impending heart transplant. Despite her outward composure, unease lingered.
Someone willing to give up their heart so easily, choosing to remain anonymous… Why?
What if reaching out to thank them caused them to change their mind? The thought alone sent a chill through her.
Besides, her family had already offered payment and the donor had refused. If the donor no longer valued their life, perhaps they viewed this as a form of gratitude to themselves.
Christopher’s voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Alright. Handle it as you see fit.”
Charlotte exhaled in relief, her tense shoulders relaxing. She gave him a soft, bashful smile. “Chris, you said you’d grant me any birthday wish this year. About the wish I just made…”
“No.”
He cut her off sharply before she could finish.
Her smile faltered and she noticed the shift in his expression. His eyes had opened, cold and unyielding, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.
“I won’t leave Evelyn. Don’t bring it up again, Charlotte. I’ll grant you anything else, but not this.”
For a moment, Charlotte sat frozen, the rejection sinking in. The corners of her lips twitched awkwardly, but she quickly recovered, masking her disappointment with her usual charm.
Disguising her true feelings had become second nature—she knew exactly how to present herself as the woman Christopher admired.
Two seconds later, she giggled lightly, as though his stern words had rolled right off her. “Alright, then let’s pretend I didn’t make that wish. But if that one doesn’t count, you still owe me a wish for later, okay? You’ll have to agree to one condition in the future!”
Her playful tone was enough to make Christopher chuckle. “Fine. Save it for later.”
Satisfied, Charlotte straightened up, choosing not to press the issue further.
But inside, resentment burned hotter than ever, simmering beneath her polished facade.
This was the first time Christopher had denied her anything—and it was because of that woman, Evelyn, who had only entered their lives five years ago.
In the past, Christopher had entertained other women in his life, but none of them had ever mattered. Charlotte had always been his priority, his constant. If she’d asked him to end things with someone, he wouldn’t have hesitated.
Why was Evelyn different? What made her so special?
If Charlotte hadn’t left for her studies abroad, Evelyn would never have had the chance to worm her way into Christopher’s life.
But no matter. Soon, Charlotte’s health would be restored and time would be on her side. She had no intention of losing to Evelyn.
***
Later that night, when Christopher returned home, he found Evelyn still kneeling in the snow.
Her body trembled from the cold and snowflakes had piled onto her shoulders, forming a thick, undisturbed layer. She hadn’t even bothered to brush them off.
Christopher stood there for a moment, watching her silently. The sight of her like this stirred something unnameable within him—frustration, concern, perhaps guilt.
Finally, he walked toward her and broke the silence.
“Do you know what you did wrong?”
Evelyn’s eyelashes quivered as the frost clinging to them glinted faintly in the moonlight. The icy crust masked most of the emotions in her eyes, leaving her expression unreadable.
