Chapter 138

"I'll sign."

Victoria didn't hesitate for a second.

The more Nora pressured her, the more she wanted to end it all quickly and cut ties with her.

She picked up the pen and swiftly signed her name. Then she asked Dr. Myers in detail about the surgery schedule and precautions, planning to arrange her work around it.

Back home, she called Elara and told her everything that had happened.

Elara was furious, stomping her foot. "Are you out of your mind? You're messing with your health! Even if you have another kidney, this is gonna take a toll on your body. You're not even married yet. What if your future husband finds out you had this surgery? Even if he doesn't care, you wouldn't want to be a burden, would you?"

Elara tried to talk some sense into her. "Forget about your mom. After everything she's done to you, why do you still care? If you ruin your health, what about your dad's injustice? He'd want you to live well. If something happens to you because of this surgery, how could you face him?"

Victoria lowered her eyes, holding back tears.

She thought she was mentally prepared, but when Elara mentioned Alvin, her heart ached sharply.

She had indeed overlooked Alvin's feelings and could imagine how heartbroken he would be if he knew.

After a long pause, she said softly, "Elara, please don't tell Samuel or anyone else about this."

Seeing that she couldn't persuade her, Elara sighed helplessly and turned away.

Elara was both angry and heartbroken. She wanted to scold her, but seeing Victoria's forced strength and lonely helplessness, she just couldn't bring herself to.

With a mother like that, what could she do?

Could she really just watch Nora die?

If Victoria refused, Nora would definitely spread it around, using blood tie and morality to guilt-trip her, making her live in guilt and blame for the rest of her life.

"What a misfortune!" Elara's eyes reddened. She stopped trying to persuade her and just asked, "What about Samuel? Would he agree if he knew?"

"He doesn't agree, but he said he'd respect my decision. He had a car accident recently, and I didn't tell him about the surgery."

Elara hesitated but finally said, "Victoria, if you go through with this surgery, Samuel's parents might not accept you."

Victoria's expression was calm as she nodded. "I know. If they really oppose it, there's nothing I can do."

This surgery made her see reality clearly.

The ordinary happiness she longed for might never be achievable.

Elara felt sorry for her. "Samuel truly likes you. He's done a lot for you. It would be a shame to give up now."

"Elara," Victoria forced a smile, "I don't want this either."

Elara's heart ached. Seeing the tears in Victoria's eyes, she hugged her tightly and sighed softly.

Three days before the surgery, Victoria went to the hospital alone.

She had to be admitted with Nora for pre-surgery checks. She felt she could handle these procedures herself and didn't ask Elara to accompany her.

Nora had been released on bail. Occasionally, they ran into each other during the checks, but they acted like strangers, with no interaction.

Only when Victoria wasn't looking, Nora would glare at her with cold, venomous eyes.

Victoria treated her like a stranger, focused solely on repaying the debt of birth and then cutting ties forever.

The smell of disinfectant stung her nose as Victoria slowly made her way back to her room after a blood draw, leaning against the wall.

The needle marks on her pale skin were bruised. She pulled her sleeve down but froze when she opened the door.

A tall figure stood by the window, back facing her.

The man wore a sharp suit, broad shoulders, and a narrow waist, exuding a cold, unapproachable aura.

His hands were in his pockets, and despite the comfortable room temperature, he seemed to bring a chill with him, making the air around him colder.

His coat was casually draped over the sofa, and a black suitcase sat on the floor, making him look travel-worn.

Hearing the noise, he turned abruptly, the cold glint from his wristwatch flashing across her terrified face.

Victoria was slightly taken aback. She hadn't expected to see him again so soon, at least not so suddenly.

She walked in slowly, discarding the cotton ball pressed against her arm and pulling down her sleeve to hide the needle marks and bruises.

Seeing him turn but not speak, Victoria broke the silence first. "What are you doing here?"

"You're donating a kidney to Nora?" William leaned against the window, crushing a cigarette between his fingers, the embers falling onto his handmade shoes.

His eyes, filled with suppressed anger, bore into her. "Victoria, do you have a brain in that head of yours?"

Victoria pressed her lips together, not answering.

She felt it was her decision and didn't need to explain it to anyone.

William was infuriated by her silence, a cold, humorless smile flashing across his stern face, carrying a sharp edge.

"I think you're being incredibly stupid!"

He took a deep breath, but the coldness around him remained, as he stepped closer, his smile dangerous. "What is Nora to you? How dare she ask for your kidney?"

Victoria lifted her chin slightly, watching him approach.

This was a side of William she had never seen. Even when angry, he had always been controlled and restrained.

But now, he seemed to have lost all reason, driven by a need to vent his fury.

"Do you think you're some kind of savior? Or just a pawn to be trampled on?" William sneered. "What makes Nora worthy of your sacrifice? Does she deserve it?"

He stopped in front of her, looking down, his eyes dark and menacing.

Victoria clenched her fists, her chest heaving.

His words hit her deepest wounds, and she struggled to hold back her tears.

William let out a cold laugh, mocking her. "You always have a sharp tongue with me, never taking any crap. But with Nora and Bobby, you just take it, letting them walk all over you?"

He reached out, roughly grabbing her chin, forcing her to look at him. "If you want to be this foolish, you need my permission first!"

Victoria desperately tried to avoid his touch, struggling to break free. "Let go! I don't need your permission!"

William stared at her coldly, his deep eyes flashing with a terrifying intensity. "I forbid it! If you donate that kidney, I'll make sure she dies first!"

Victoria trembled, biting her lip, her stubbornness evoking pity.

William's heart softened, and he wanted to pull her into his arms, to kiss away all her pain and sorrow until she gave in.

But he couldn't.

Victoria shouldn't have to endure this suffering.

"William, I understand your concern," Victoria choked out, "but she's my mom. No matter how bad she is, I can't just watch her die. If I did, I'd be in agony for the rest of my life. Can you understand that?"

Seeing her still so determined, William felt a surge of frustration.

He grabbed her frail arm and pushed her away, his tone harsh. "Victoria! If so, I'll make her disappear right now! Let's see how she can hurt you then!"

William, in his rage, seemed like a wild beast out of control. Victoria, frightened by his intensity, instinctively hugged him from behind, her voice trembling. "Don't go!"

"Let go!"