Chapter 43

Allison’s been on the receiving end of Penelope’s fists since she was a tyke.

She’s always been a top student, but Penelope would tear her high–scoring test papers into shreds every single time.

There was even this one time Grace sewed Allison a pink skirt, and Penelope chucked it into the trash at first sight, snarling, “Only trash should wear clothes from the garbage”

Allison was trembling all over, her rage towards Penelope and her surrender to fate made it hard for her to breathe.

Grace let out a deep sigh looking at her, “Allison, without the help from the Flanagan family, there’s no way we could’ve survived. You’ve got to keep going to school and get married someday, I’m sick, and I don’t want to be a burden to you, I could be gone any day…”

“Mom..” Allison threw herself into Grace’s arms, “Mom, you’ll get better; we’ll find a kidney donor, and I’ll find a way to get you a kidney transplant!”

“Silly girl, do you know how much that costs? We don’t have that kind of money. We can only live here because of the Flanagan family’s help. Allie.” She called Allison by her nickname, her eyes filled with tears, “I’m sorry for making you suffer like this; you should’ve….

Choking back tears, Grace held Allison tight, but she couldn’t say any more.

Nighttime had arrived.

A handsome man in a white coat passed by the nurse’s station, and a blushing nurse stopped him, “Dr.

Dylan, working the night shift?”

Dr. Dylan smiled, “Yes.”

He saw Allison sitting forlornly on a chair outside the patient’s room. He walked up to her, “Allison.”

Allison looked up, her eyes moist and red. “Dr. Dylan.”

Seeing her in this state, Dr. Dylan felt a pang in his heart, “Are you worried about your mother?”

Allison didn’t answer, but the tears she’d finally stopped started falling again at his question.

The next second, Dr. Dylan handed her a clean tissue, gently reassuring her, “Don’t worry, I’ve been keeping an eye out for a kidney. We’ll find one.”

Allison’s eyes immediately lit up as she saw Dr. Dylan’s smile, “Would you like to sit in my office for a bit?”

Dr. Dylan still remembered the first time he met Allison. He had just completed a kidney transplant surgery with his mentor. Allison’s mother’s condition wasn’t critical yet, but she needed hospital treatment. Allison was wearing a light plaid skirt, her lengthy hair draped over her shoulders, looking at him with hopeful eyes, “Doctor, can you save my mother?”

Years later, he often thought back to that moment. Those were beautiful eyes, full of the purest light.

He wished he could help this little girl keep that purity….