Chapter 7
Elias face drained of color as he hang up the phone. Without another word to Charlotte, he bolted from the room, leaving her alone with her stinging cheek. and the unspoken section hanging in the air.
By the time Charlotte arrived at the hospital–her face still throbbing from his slap–the surgeon was emerging from the emergency room, his expression grave
The addressed Elias.]]
Mr. Delaney, Miss Yates’s mondition has deteriorated significantly. Her kidneys are failing faster than we anticipated.” he explained quietly. “We need to perform the transplant immediately–within the next thirty minutes.
He glanced around the waiting area. Is the donor available now?“||
Before has could respond. Charlotte stepped forward from the shadows. Tm here,” she said quietly, one hand still unconsciously pressed against her marked check
The surgeon’s eyes flickered to her face, noting the fresh braise forming, but maintained his professional demeanor. “We’ll prep you immediately.
In that moment. Charlotte felt nothing but cold determination. This final sacrifice would clear her debt to Elias completely. After this, they would be strangers–exactly as she wanted
Elias turned, nouring her for the first time. Something complicated passed across his face–perhaps guilt, perhaps gratitude, perhaps simple surprise at her presence. Thank you, he said stiffly, the words dearly difficult for him
Charlotte didn’t acknowledge him. Instead, she pulled out her phone and quickly changed her fight to that evening. No more delays. No more second chances. No more Dias Delaney:]
Thirty minutes later, Charlotte Lay on the operating table, surprisingly calm. This wasn’t fear she felt–it was anticipation. One last payment, and then freedom
Just as the surgical team finished prepping, a nurse burst into the room. “We have a critical problem. The pharmacy sent up only one dose of anesthesia–there was a mix–up with the order. We only have enough for one patient.
The surgeon irmoved his gloves with a frustrated sigh and stepped out to consult with Ellas ||
Charlee didn’t need to hear the conversation to know the outcome. Seconds later, Elias’s voice carried clearly through the door: “Scarlett’s body is already in shock. She gets the anesthesia.,
years, consistently chose someone else’s
Though shed expected nothing less, the finality of it still cut deep. Her so–called guardian, her only family for twelve yea comfort over her basic humanity
The surgeon returned his eyes heavy with regret. “Miss Whitmore, we’ll have to proceed without anesthesia. You can still back out–no one would blame you.”
“Just do it,” Charlotte Laid quietly, her jaw set. Lets get this over with
The pain transeraded anything Charlotte had ever experienced or imagined possible. White hot agony fore though her as the scalpel made its first incisions. She hit through her lip trying not to scream, but eventually lost that battle. Her shrieks echoed through the operating coom as sweat poured down her face and the metallar taste of blood filled her moudi.|||
When she finally regained consciousness, her room was empty no flowers, in cards, no visitors. Only a nurse checking her vitals looked at her with undisguised pity ||
“You re awake,” the nurse said solly Tve been a surgical nurse for fifteen years, and I’ve never seen anything like what your guardian did–making you go through that without anesthesia so fur girlfriend could have it. That’s not normal, honey ||
managed a weak smile but said nothing. When the nurse left, she checked her phone. Two hours und her flight. If she left now, she’d have just enough time to grab her parked suitcase and get to the airport ||
As shar tried to sit up, pain unlike anything she ever felt ripped through her abalomena searing, boite deep agony that make her vision blur at the edges. But the thought of freedom, of finally escaping this forever, gave her the strength to continue
severance of guardianship that would legally
Slowly, painfully, she dressed herself, then took out the legal document she’d has prepared weeks ago a formal seve separate her from the belaney family. With trembling steps, she made her way to scarlett’s recovery room
Teside, Thas sat beside Scarlett’s bird, watching her sleep with an expression of such tenderness that Charlotte had never seen directed at herself. He didn’t notter Charlotte until she pinced the ducunt in front of him!]
the expression darkened as for scanned the contents. You Te actually going through with this?” he demanded in a harsh whisper. “After iveraline ihan dana den
you? 1 already told you, Charlotte–cutting ties won’t make me suddenly fall for you. This won’t change anything |
Charlotte’s forehead beaded with sweat from the effort of standing, the surgical wound sending waves of agony through her body. This was our deal,” she managed through gritted tehty kidney for my freedom, Sign 11.-||
eil his name with a
sing unreadable flashing across his features. After a long moment, he took the pen and signed his name
Elias stared at her pale face, irritation and something sharp, angry flourish
Charlotte took the document, carefully folding it and placing it in her pocket. Despite die physical tortient, she felt lighter than she had in years. The last chuin binding her to Elias Delaney had been severed ||
pa testament to her determination as she limped toward the door.
She turned to leave, each step-
Where do you think you’re going? that asked, frowning: “You just h had major surgery without anesthesin. You should be in bed, not dressed for the street.
Charlotte paused at the doorway, her back to him. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her face one last time.]
“I need some air,” she said simply, her voice hollow.
Elias watched her, an unusual note of concern in his voice. “It’s freering out. Don’t stay gone long
wont, Charlotte murmured, the lie bitter on her tongue ||
I’m never coming back. Elias. Not tomorrow, Not ever]]
She collected her suitcase from the mansion and dragged her battered body to the airport, each step an exercise in white hot agony that threatened to overwhelm her. As she boarded the plane that would take her to Tanzania–to her new life–Charlotte paused at the gate. Looking back one last time at the Michigan skyline]
“Were even now,” she whispered, feeling the surgical wound pull with each breath. “Tre paid my debt in blood. Twice.
As the plane lifted off carrying her away from everything she’d ever known, Charlotte closed her eyes
“Goodbye,” she whispered to the place she’d called home for twelve years. “Goodbye, His Delaney.”
For the first time in years, she felt something like peace
