Chapter 9

Liam became busy with Chloe's surgery.

My world fell completely silent.

The surgery date was set for Liam's birthday.

This day, which he once cherished above all, now existed only for another woman.

On the morning of his birthday, enduring excruciating pain, I personally cooked him a bowl of longevity noodles.

It was the last thing I could do for him.

As he finished getting dressed, I held up the steaming bowl and called out to him.

"Liam, have some noodles."

My voice was very soft, carrying a barely perceptible plea.

Liam turned around, filled with impatience. He violently knocked the bowl to the ground.

The ceramic bowl shattered, noodles and broth splattered everywhere, a complete mess.

"I don't have time to waste on you."

He said coldly,

"Today is a more important day for Chloe than anything else."

With that, he strode away without looking back.

I looked at the mess on the floor and slowly smiled.

You won't eat the longevity noodles...

Then I'll just give you your birthday present directly.

I returned to my room, changed into a clean white dress, and then took a cab to the hospital.

I changed into a surgical gown and lay on the operating table.

Through a thin curtain, I could clearly hear the sounds from the next room.

I heard Liam gripping Chloe's hand, comforting her in a gentle voice:

"Chloe, don't be afraid. I'll wait for you outside until you're done. Once you're better, we'll get married."

This scene suddenly reminded me of many years ago, when I had fibroadenoma removal surgery.

He had also waited anxiously outside the door, holding my hand, telling me again and again not to be afraid.

A doctor approached me for the final confirmation:

"Ms. Rose, are you sure you want to proceed with the living heart transplant? Once it begins, there's no turning back."

My gaze passed through the gap in the curtain, falling on his tall figure outside.

I slowly nodded.

"I'm sure."

Cold anesthetic was slowly injected into my veins, and my consciousness began to blur.

Memories I had deliberately sealed away flashed uncontrollably in my mind.

His clumsy, flustered appearance the first time he prepared warm sugar water for me.

His domineering insistence on carrying me back to bed when he found me staying up late to read.

His anxiety in a crowded place, holding my hand tightly, afraid I might get lost.

The sparkling starlight in his eyes when he proposed to me grandly under a sky full of fireworks.

…

If there's a next life...

Liam, let's not meet again.

I whispered my last wish in my heart.

I shed my last tear, my long, curled eyelashes gently fluttered down, and I completely lost all sound.

The heart monitor connected to my body, its screen displaying a flatline, emitted a piercing, sustained beep.

On the other side, the operating room light went out.

The surgery was successful.

Liam breathed a sigh of relief, a long-lost smile finally gracing his face.

The attending physician came out and stopped him, asking as a matter of routine:

"Mr. Hayes, the donor's body is next door. Would you like to pay your respects and express your gratitude to the donor?"

Liam's mind was completely filled with Chloe at that moment, but out of basic courtesy and gratitude, he still nodded.

He followed the doctor to a solemn room.

In the center of the room, a body covered with a white sheet lay there.

Liam reached out, his fingertips trembling slightly as he pinched a corner of the white sheet, preparing to lift it.