They Called Me Heartless, So Reborn, I Watched Them Self Destruct Chapter 03

They Called Me Heartless, So Reborn, I Watched Them Self Destruct Chapter 03

The surgery was scheduled for that afternoon.

Before Lily was wheeled into the operating room, she kept clutching Ethan’s hand.

“Ethan, if I make it through this, I’ll spend the rest of my life thanking you.”

Ethan bent down and gently wiped the tears from her cheeks.

“Don’t be scared. You’re going to be okay.”

My mom stood nearby, crying so hard she could barely catch her breath.

My dad patted Ethan on the shoulder, his eyes shining with pride.

“Ethan, I’m proud of you, son.”

I stood several feet away from them.

As the nurse checked Lily’s information, she casually asked, “Shouldn’t the donor’s sister say a few words before we take him in?”

Ethan’s voice turned cold.

“There’s no need.”

The nurse gave me an awkward glance.

I said nothing.

In my previous life, I’d said too much.

I’d talked until my voice went hoarse. I’d begged until I was on my knees. Eventually, every word I’d spoken became another piece of evidence they used against me.

This time, I was as silent as a wall.

The operating room doors closed.

The red light above them came on.

My mom finally had a chance to turn her anger on me.

“Claire, what you did today was incredibly disappointing.”

I lowered my head and adjusted the strap of my bag.

“Okay.”

“Ethan is lying in there, and you’re not even worried about him?”

“Worrying about him won’t change what happens to him.”

She fell silent.

My dad’s voice hardened.

“Ethan was willing to sacrifice his entire future to save Lily. As his sister, if you can’t support him, at least stop making snide comments.”

I looked up.

“I warned you about the risks to his future. You were the ones who said saving a life mattered more.”

My mom’s eyes filled with tears again.

“Do you really have to say things like that right now?”

“Then what do you want me to say?” I looked straight at her. “That you’re all right, and that I’ll take the blame if something goes wrong later?”

Her face stiffened.

My dad exploded.

“How can you be so cruel? The surgery isn’t even over, and you’re already cursing your own brother!”

I didn’t bother arguing anymore.

I pulled out my phone and emailed my academic advisor, asking for my dorm access to be reinstated early. I was moving back to campus immediately.

In my previous life, I’d stayed at the hospital after that day and spent my time taking care of everything.

I paid bills. I bought meals. I picked up medical reports. I stayed overnight.

Lily woke up.

Ethan recovered.

They accepted everyone’s praise.

Meanwhile, because I’d missed classes and spent countless nights at the hospital, I missed the final presentation for a major academic conference.

Later, without the results from that crucial project, I lost my department’s only full-scholarship opportunity. I even lost the chance to get a recommendation letter from one of the most prestigious professors in the field.

My dad had simply said, “You’re a girl. Why do you need to bury yourself in so much schoolwork? Ethan’s future matters more.”

Not this time.

I wasn’t going to put my future behind their endless emergencies ever again.

Four hours later, Dr. Bennett came out of the operating room.

“The surgery is complete. Everything went relatively smoothly. The recipient is stable, but the donor will need to be monitored very closely.”

My relatives immediately crowded around him, showering Ethan with praise.

“Thank God.”

“That boy Ethan has such a good heart.”

“Lily is so lucky to have him.”

I’d seen them surround Ethan like this in my previous life too.

Back then, they had praised his promotions, his bonuses, and how successful he’d become at such a young age.

Then they’d always added one more thing.

“Such a shame Lily wasn’t so lucky.”

And eventually, they’d glance at me and pass judgment.

“Claire has such a cold heart.”

My mom stayed beside Ethan’s hospital bed, crying as she stroked his arm.

“Ethan, you’ve been through so much.”

The anesthesia hadn’t fully worn off yet. His eyes were unfocused, but he still managed to ask,

“Lily… Is she okay?”

My dad’s eyes turned red.

“She’s fine. She’s doing great. You saved her.”

The corners of Ethan’s mouth lifted slightly.

It was as if he’d finally received the medal he’d been waiting for.

I placed a hospital payment receipt on the table.

“This is the $3,700 I covered. Don’t forget to pay me back.”

My mom’s head snapped up.

“Ethan just got out of surgery, and you’re asking us for money?”

“It’s not Ethan’s money,” I said. “You didn’t have enough for Lily’s pre-op deposit, so you told me to cover it.”

My dad’s face turned dark.

“Are you seriously that desperate for three thousand dollars?”

“Yes.”

I looked at them calmly.

“My rent is due next month, and I haven’t paid it yet.”

My mom stared at me as if she didn’t recognize me.

“You weren’t like this before.”

Before?

I’d once believed that if I was obedient enough, considerate enough, and willing to sacrifice enough, eventually they’d see me.

It took me years to understand.

They didn’t think I deserved to be seen at all.