Chapter 1
My son, Alaric Kaufman, was kidnapped on his fifth birthday.
To save him, I begged the kidnappers to take me hostage instead.
The kidnappers tortured me, and in the end, they broke my spine.
Antonio Kaufman sacrificed almost half of the Kaufman Group to secure my rescue.
On the verge of losing consciousness, I faintly heard my son’s voice.
“Dad, the doctor said that if Mom is not treated in time, she’ll be disabled for the rest of her life. But Ms. Clifford also needs Mom’s kidney. What
should we do now?”
Antonio said in a firm tone, “Alaric, your mom definitely won’t be willing to help Adela after waking up. Don’t worry, even if she’s disabled, we can take care of her for the rest of our lives. But I regret it very much that I couldn’t be with Adela back then. Now, there’s only one thing I can do for
her.
“Besides, Alaric, you volunteered to play a role in this action. You also want to help save Adela, right?”
Alaric responded without any hesitation, “Yes! I like Ms. Clifford. I want to save her!”
A tear slipped down the corner of my eye.
I thought I had a happy family, but it was nothing more than an illusion.
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I refused to live in this illusion any longer.
***
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When I was pushed into the operating room, I heard the doctor’s concerns and repeated warnings.
“Mr. Kaufman, please reconsider. Ms. Parrish is in critical condition. She will need an extended recovery after the kidney transplant before she can undergo spinal surgery. By then, it might be too late.
‘Besides that, having a kidney transplant surgery now might be life- threatening to her! She’s too weak to take it!”
But Antonio looked at the doctor with a frown and said impatiently, “Enough. Just do the transplant.”
Alaric also echoed, “That’s right. Ms. Clifford is still suffering. You must quickly take the kidney to save her!”
The doctor sighed with sympathy, asking Antonio, “You’re her husband. Aren’t you afraid that she’ll hate you after knowing what you’ve done to her?”
I could feel that Antonio carefully touched my face with his calloused hand.
Then, he replied, “She won’t find out about this. It’s all those kidnapers‘ doing, isn’t it?”
With a threatening tone, he said to the doctor, “Do it, and I’ll give you 800 thousand dollars. Remember, don’t let anyone else know about this, or else you’ll face consequences.”
The doctor hesitated for a long moment before sighing. “Fine.”
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Half–conscious, I felt as if I had fallen into an abyss of ice.
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Alaric held Antonio’s hand and said in a hurry, “Dad, Ms. Clifford is still waiting for us for dinner. Don’t keep her waiting. Let’s go!”
After the two of them left, I couldn’t hold back anymore and broke into
tears.
After being injected with the anesthesia, I lost consciousness.
Hours later, I woke up again. With a single movement, I felt pain all over my body.
Antonio stood by my sick bed with red eyes.
He said in a choked voice, “Grace, I’m sorry. I failed to stop those kidnappers from taking you away.
“You have no idea how crazy they are! They took away your … kidney.”
At this time, Alaric also stumbled into my arms and cried loudly, “I’m
sorry, Mom. You got hurt all because of me. It’s all my fault.
“But don’t worry. I’ll definitely take care of you in the future. I won’t let you get hurt again!”
My gaze fell on their similar faces, on which the regret and concern seemed so genuine. I have to admit that they could make really good actors. But it was too late for me to notice it.
Trying hard to hold back my tears, I said lightly to them, “Get out. I’m tired and want some rest first.”
At my words, Antonio and Alaric visibly relaxed.
Antonio said gently, “Alright. Grace, take a good rest. Remember, no
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matter what, Alaric and I will always be there for you.”
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Antonio and Alaric visited me daily, their attentiveness drawing envious glances from other patients.
But I sneered mockingly in my heart and called my mom, who was
abroad.
I wanted her to help handle the procedures and take me to live abroad as well.
Back then, Mom wanted to take me abroad. But I was already pregnant at that time and refused to go with her, insisting on marrying Antonio.
One day, I asked the caregiver to help me go outside for some fresh air. When we passed by a ward, I heard familiar laughter from inside.
Antonio and Alaric were holding a cake, celebrating the success of Adela Clifford’s surgery.
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