Chapter 8 - The Ultimate Sacrifice
The surgery was scheduled for the next morning.
The media caught wind of the story: Billionaire Tech CEO Donates Kidney to Maid's Illegitimate Brother. The headlines were sensational, but Julian didn't care.
As he lay on the gurney outside the operating room, Clara held his hand, tears streaming down her face.
“I love you,” she whispered, kissing his forehead. “You are my hero, Julian.”
“I’m just a man trying to keep his family together,” he smiled weakly as the anesthesia began to take effect.
The surgery lasted twelve grueling hours. Clara paced the waiting room, flanked by Tommy and Maya. Finally, the lead surgeon emerged.
“The transplant was a complete success,” the doctor announced. “Leo’s body has accepted the kidney. And Mr. Vance is in recovery. They are both going to be fine.”
When Clara was finally allowed into Julian’s recovery room, he looked exhausted, hooked up to monitors, but his eyes were bright.
“How is he?” Julian croaked, his first words upon waking.
“He’s pink,” Clara laughed through her tears. “He’s making jokes about hospital food. You saved his life, Julian.”
Over the next month, the estate turned into a recovery ward. Clara played nurse to both her brother and her husband. The bond between Julian and Leo became unbreakable. They shared matching scars now—a permanent, physical testament to Julian’s love for Clara’s family.
But while the family healed, a final, desperate shadow lurked in the background.
Eleanor Vance.
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Having lost her power, her wealth, and her son, Eleanor had watched the news of the surgery from her penthouse. Her hatred for Clara had morphed into pure, unadulterated madness. She blamed Clara for stealing her son's organ, his money, and his legacy.
She decided if she couldn't have Julian, no one would.
