They Called Me Heartless, So Reborn, I Watched Them Self Destruct Chapter 01

They Called Me Heartless, So Reborn, I Watched Them Self Destruct Chapter 01

In my previous life, I stopped my brother, Ethan Miller, from donating a kidney to save his childhood sweetheart, Lily Hayes.

Lily never got another kidney in time. She died three days later.

Ethan kept his kidney. He went on to land a spot on the elite research team everyone dreamed of joining and became the golden boy everyone admired.

But he hated me for the rest of his life.

My parents said I was heartless. They said I had killed Lily and robbed Ethan of the perfect life he deserved.

After that, my family gave me the silent treatment, took opportunities away from me, sabotaged my career, and eventually left me to die alone in my apartment.

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day Ethan was about to sign the living donor consent form.

His eyes were red as he begged me, “Claire, please. Don’t stop me this time.”

I looked at him.

Then I looked at Lily, pale and tearful in her hospital bed.

This time, I didn’t cry.

I didn’t try to talk him out of it.

I simply opened the voice recorder on my phone and asked calmly, “Ethan Miller, do you understand every risk involved? And do you understand that once you’ve made this decision, you won’t blame me for it later?”

…

A stack of paperwork sat on the table in the transplant center’s consultation room.

The document on top was the informed consent form for living organ donation.

My brother, Ethan, held a black pen in his hand, his knuckles white from gripping it so tightly.

It was the same day as my previous life.

I had stormed into this room and snatched the pen right out of Ethan’s hand.

“Ethan, you can’t do this,” I’d said. “You have your final medical evaluation for the Federal Aviation Research Center next month. You’ve had high blood pressure and protein in your urine before. Your doctor said the risks are higher for you than for an average donor.”

I’d argued until my voice was hoarse.

Ethan had hesitated.

The surgery was eventually canceled.

Lily lasted another three days before she died.

After her death, I became the villain of the Miller family.

Ethan’s career took off.

But every promotion, every award, every time someone praised him for being young and successful, he’d find a way to twist the knife.

“If it weren’t for you, Lily could have lived to see the man I’ve become.”

My parents were no different.

They basked in the glory that came with having a healthy, successful son, while blaming me for Lily’s death.

They destroyed my chances of getting into graduate school, forced me to give up resources and opportunities so Ethan could have them, and sabotaged both my career and my relationship.

They told me I owed Lily a life.

Even when I was dying, they never answered my calls.

Now I was back at the exact moment before Ethan put pen to paper.

The second my mother saw me walk through the door, she stepped in front of Ethan.

“Claire Miller, I’m warning you. If you cause a scene today, I will never forgive you.”

My father gave me a cold look.

“Ethan is trying to save someone’s life. That’s something to be proud of. Don’t embarrass yourself by making this about your own selfish feelings.”

I nearly laughed.

The last time I’d tried to stop Ethan, they’d been relieved too.

They just couldn’t admit they’d been afraid their son might get hurt.

So when Lily died, they needed someone to blame.

Ethan looked at me.

“Claire, I know you don’t like Lily, but she’s running out of time.”

Lily turned her weak, tearful eyes toward me.

“Claire, please don’t blame Ethan. None of this is his fault. I never should have let him put himself through this for me…”

As expected, Ethan’s expression softened immediately.

“Lily, don’t say that.”

My mother started crying too.

“Sweetheart, don’t be scared. The Miller family isn’t going to stand by and let someone die when we can help.”

Everyone was waiting for me to break.

They were waiting for me to cry like I had before, to beg Ethan to stop, and eventually to take all the blame onto myself.

But this time, I didn’t.

I took out my phone and started recording.

My father frowned.

“What are you recording?”

“Evidence.”

I placed my phone on the table.

“I’m not taking pictures. Just recording audio. That way, no one can claim later that I forced Ethan to donate his kidney. And no one can say I was responsible if something happens to him because I didn’t stop him.”

My mother’s expression changed instantly.

“What exactly is that supposed to mean? We’re family. Do you really have to make things this ugly?”

In my previous life, I’d been burning with fever and barely conscious when I called home seventeen times.

Not one person answered.

Back then, where was all this talk about family?

Dr. Thomas Bennett sat across the table, looking slightly uncomfortable.

“Miss Miller, the hospital will have a record of the preoperative consultation. You don’t need to be so worried.”

“I’m not worried,” I said. “I just want every adult in this room to take responsibility for the words coming out of their own mouths.”

Ethan stared at me with open disgust.

“You’re unbelievable.”

In the past, words like that would have made me tremble.

Not anymore.

I looked at the pen in his hand.

“Before you sign, I have a few questions.”