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Chapter 2

Penulis: Heroic Thief
After half a month at the rehab center, I was finally starting to heal. Harvey called me once at the start, then ghosted.

As the day to meet Mom got closer, I forced myself to go home and pack.

The second I opened the door, though, I walked right into a party. Harvey and his friends froze like I'd just crashed the world's most awkward surprise. Harvey's face twisted, unsure, but he stepped forward, frowning.

"Leah, why didn't you answer when I tried to contact you?"

My eyes landed on the girl behind him—Vivi Baldwin. Long hair, white dress, perfect little soulmate vibe. When she caught me staring, Harvey rubbed his nose like a guilty kid.

"Vivi came back earlier than expected," he mumbled. "Since I just had surgery, I didn't wanna make a big deal out of it. Just a small welcome party. You're not seriously gonna throw a fit over something this trivial, right?"

I clenched my shirt. Five years with Harvey, and Vivi had always been a shadow between us. Just hearing her name was enough to mess with my head. But now? Didn't matter anymore.

I gave a quick nod. "Congrats on coming back. Keep celebrating—I'm just here to grab a few things."

My calmness made Harvey frown. Back in the day, he used to drop Vivi's name just to watch me snap, hoping I'd make a scene. But now? I was too calm, and it clearly threw him off.

As I turned to leave, Vivi's soft, pathetic voice cut through the room. "Leah, I've already forgiven you for what happened back then. Why are you still being so cold? Stay and celebrate with us, okay?"

Of course, Harvey couldn't stand seeing her upset. He grabbed my arm and yanked me over to the table, shoving me into a seat.

"Vivi said she doesn't blame you, so quit acting like a corpse and keep her company."

No sooner had I sat down than his friends swarmed me.

"To show your sincerity, Leah, drink up!"

I almost laughed at how predictable they were. They knew I'd just had a liver transplant and still shoved alcohol at me—disgusting. The old me might've thought they actually cared.

I pushed the glass away. "Doctor said no drinking."

"Oh, come on. Just a little won't hurt!"

They didn't even listen, grabbing my arms and forcing the liquor down my throat. It burned, and I choked, coughing hard. As I tried to pull back, someone shoved me forward—my face slammed into the cake.

Cream smeared over my mouth and nose, choking me. Laughter exploded around me—sharp, mocking.

I finally pushed myself up, my face stinging and damp. Blinking through the mess, I looked down—and froze. Steel nails stuck out of the cake.

Vivi was practically doubled over, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. One of the guys looked at me with zero remorse.

"Sorry, Leah. The cream was too soft, so I had them put something in to support it. Who knew you'd shove your whole face into it like a pig?"

Someone muttered something about me being just like a pig, and they all burst out laughing again.

I wiped the cream off, forcing down my anger, and moved to leave. But Vivi wasn't done. She grabbed a fistful of my hair, eyes glinting with smug satisfaction, and waved to the others.

"Leah's upset! Let's help her wash up so she doesn't go whining to Harvey."

They all grinned like it was some big joke and rushed at me. Panic crawled up my spine. I couldn't breathe.

When I was a kid, I'd been kidnapped—nearly drowned when they shoved my head underwater because I wouldn't stop crying. Ever since, water terrified me.

No matter how much I fought, Vivi dragged me to the kitchen. They pinned my arms behind my back and forced my head into the sink.

Freezing water crashed over me, and I screamed, choking and gasping for air. They just held me tighter, laughing like it was some twisted game.

"Scrub her good! A filthy woman like her has no place here!"

My vision blurred, darkness creeping in. I was seconds from passing out when Harvey's voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough! All of you, stop it!"

They dropped me like I burned them, and I collapsed to the floor, coughing and shaking.

Harvey walked over, brushing my wet hair from my face. "I'm sorry, babe. You must be so scared."

I pushed his hands away, my voice raw. "I'm fine."

Ignoring his wounded look, I turned and headed to the bedroom.

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Bab terkait

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 3

    Outside, I heard Harvey's friends grumbling."It was just a joke, Harvey. Why're you so touchy all of a sudden?"Harvey's voice dropped; he was trying to keep his cool. "Leah's been terrified of water since she was a kid. How could you use her worst fear as a joke?"One of them scoffed. "Think of it as payback. Vivi's back—you don't wanna be with her sooner?""Yeah, you've done way worse before. What's one more thing?" another chimed in.Something snapped in Harvey. He kicked the table hard, voice cold. "She just had surgery. What if the wound reopened?"Vivi's face darkened. She glared at him, voice shaking. "It's only been four years, and you're already changing your heart?""Never," he said instantly. "You're the only one I've ever loved, and that'll never change."His friends whooped, egging him on."Harvey and Vivi are meant to be! If Leah hadn't gotten in the way, you two would've been together ages ago. She's shameless enough to stick around, so we should give her a fin

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 4

    Everyone just froze, eyes locked on the explosion. Harvey's binoculars hit the floor with a dull thud.Without thinking, he launched himself off the second-floor balcony, crashing to the ground and rolling to his feet. Banged up but unfazed, he bolted toward the burning car.One of his friends tried to grab him, but Harvey decked him and broke free. By the time he reached the crash site, a crowd had already formed.A doctor's voice cut through the murmurs. "She didn't make it. Collision and gas tank explosion—either one would've killed her."Even if we'd gotten here faster, it wouldn't have mattered. Her body's completely burned. Even if she'd survived, she wouldn't have made it without pain."We'll need the family to ID the remains."Harvey tore through the crowd, eyes wild. "I'm her family! Doctor, please—don't give up! I'll pay anything, just save her!"Then he saw it—my body.The crash had ripped me in half, burnt chunks of flesh scattered like trash on the ground.Harvey

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 5

    Everyone but Harvey and Vivi got detained right then and there.Hours later, Harvey finally walked out of the interrogation room. Vivi was waiting, eyes puffy and face pale like she hadn't slept in days. She hurried over, cupping his hands, sniffling."Harvey, Leah's gone. Don't be too sad, okay? At least get your wound treated—"He ripped his hands away, face like stone, and glanced at his secretary, who'd shown up to pick him up. His voice was low and sharp."Release a statement saying my wife died in an accident today. Shut down the entire company for a week to mourn. Anyone who doesn't comply—fire them. For delayed contracts, enforce breach clauses."Vivi just stared, stunned, before scrambling to block his way. "What are you talking about? We called Leah out to get you to break up with her!"How can you call her your wife and make everyone think that? What if other companies get the wrong idea? You said we were getting married in a few days!"Harvey's eyes were bloodshot.

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 6

    With Mom taking care of me, I bounced back fast. Before long, I was working by her side as an assistant. Once I got the hang of things, I decided to start from the bottom and work my way up.Within a year, I built a team and delivered impressive results. Turns out the domestic market was craving our products. Spending so much time around Harvey actually paid off—I knew enough about the company's resources to land a few deals.As our domestic market grew, partnership offers started rolling in—even from Seinfeld Corp.Mom's reaction was ice-cold when she heard. Sure, teaming up with them would be good for business, but after everything I'd been through, she couldn't just brush it off for profit.Right as she was about to turn them down, I stopped her."It's fine. Working with Seinfeld Corp will help us expand. Harvey usually doesn't deal with operations, anyway. I'm not letting personal stuff mess up a good opportunity."She hesitated but finally agreed. I led the team back home an

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 7

    Out of nowhere, Vivi lunged at me, a knife clenched in her hand.Harvey shouted, "WATCH OUT!" and threw himself between us.The sickening sound of metal hitting flesh echoed as his face twisted in pain, blood soaking his clothes. People around us screamed.Vivi's vicious glare crumbled into panic, her hands shaking."Harvey! I didn't mean to hurt you! That wretch came back from the dead! I thought if I killed her, we could still have a future—"Before she could finish, Harvey's bodyguards pinned her down. Cops and paramedics swarmed the place. I got dragged to the station to give my statement, and by the time I signed off on the report, word came that Harvey's surgery was done.Not wanting more drama, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door—only to see Harvey stumble out of the ICU, barely able to stand. He dropped to his knees, clutching my legs with all his strength.The anesthesia made his words slur, but I caught it."Don't... leave me..."How pathetic.I looked down at

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 8

    After that day, Mom got worried about me and insisted we skip the country for a while.Back in college, I was all about literature. With Mom forcing me to ditch work, I spent my days in the garden, writing stories. My style got sharper, and everything I'd been through gave my words this raw, emotional punch. Once published, they blew up with praise.I figured that was it—Harvey and I were done for good. But then one day, my phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.It was Harvey's mother, Beatrice.She never liked me. From the moment Harvey and I started dating, she made it obvious. I still remember our third Christmas together—Harvey brought me home for the holidays, and she looked like she'd swallowed a lemon. Right in front of the staff, she ordered me to pour her tea.The teapot was one of Harvey's prized collectibles—tiny, fragile, and way too hot. Still clueless about his revenge plan, I grabbed it barehanded and burned myself, a blister popping up instantly. In my pa

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 1

    Through the crack in the door, I saw Harvey—sitting up in bed, looking perfectly fine. Rosy cheeks, not a hint of sickness. His friends were still buzzing with excitement."Back in college, you hired people to mess with Leah, made the whole class freeze her out. She couldn't even go back to the dorm for a month.""And right before graduation, you had her final project deleted. Sharon Cartier missed out on an award because of it, and Leah got dragged into an empty classroom and had her hand broken.""Counting this time, that makes ninety-three. Just six more, and it'll be enough to put together a confession book for Vivi. She'll be moved to tears when she sees how dedicated you are!"A wave of nausea slammed into me. The love I thought was heaven-sent turned out to be nothing but cold, calculated revenge.I tried to leave, but my body—still weak from surgery—gave out, and I crashed to the floor. Pain ripped through me as the incision tore open, blood soaking my gown.The doctors w

Bab terbaru

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 8

    After that day, Mom got worried about me and insisted we skip the country for a while.Back in college, I was all about literature. With Mom forcing me to ditch work, I spent my days in the garden, writing stories. My style got sharper, and everything I'd been through gave my words this raw, emotional punch. Once published, they blew up with praise.I figured that was it—Harvey and I were done for good. But then one day, my phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.It was Harvey's mother, Beatrice.She never liked me. From the moment Harvey and I started dating, she made it obvious. I still remember our third Christmas together—Harvey brought me home for the holidays, and she looked like she'd swallowed a lemon. Right in front of the staff, she ordered me to pour her tea.The teapot was one of Harvey's prized collectibles—tiny, fragile, and way too hot. Still clueless about his revenge plan, I grabbed it barehanded and burned myself, a blister popping up instantly. In my pa

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 7

    Out of nowhere, Vivi lunged at me, a knife clenched in her hand.Harvey shouted, "WATCH OUT!" and threw himself between us.The sickening sound of metal hitting flesh echoed as his face twisted in pain, blood soaking his clothes. People around us screamed.Vivi's vicious glare crumbled into panic, her hands shaking."Harvey! I didn't mean to hurt you! That wretch came back from the dead! I thought if I killed her, we could still have a future—"Before she could finish, Harvey's bodyguards pinned her down. Cops and paramedics swarmed the place. I got dragged to the station to give my statement, and by the time I signed off on the report, word came that Harvey's surgery was done.Not wanting more drama, I grabbed my bag and headed for the door—only to see Harvey stumble out of the ICU, barely able to stand. He dropped to his knees, clutching my legs with all his strength.The anesthesia made his words slur, but I caught it."Don't... leave me..."How pathetic.I looked down at

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 6

    With Mom taking care of me, I bounced back fast. Before long, I was working by her side as an assistant. Once I got the hang of things, I decided to start from the bottom and work my way up.Within a year, I built a team and delivered impressive results. Turns out the domestic market was craving our products. Spending so much time around Harvey actually paid off—I knew enough about the company's resources to land a few deals.As our domestic market grew, partnership offers started rolling in—even from Seinfeld Corp.Mom's reaction was ice-cold when she heard. Sure, teaming up with them would be good for business, but after everything I'd been through, she couldn't just brush it off for profit.Right as she was about to turn them down, I stopped her."It's fine. Working with Seinfeld Corp will help us expand. Harvey usually doesn't deal with operations, anyway. I'm not letting personal stuff mess up a good opportunity."She hesitated but finally agreed. I led the team back home an

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 5

    Everyone but Harvey and Vivi got detained right then and there.Hours later, Harvey finally walked out of the interrogation room. Vivi was waiting, eyes puffy and face pale like she hadn't slept in days. She hurried over, cupping his hands, sniffling."Harvey, Leah's gone. Don't be too sad, okay? At least get your wound treated—"He ripped his hands away, face like stone, and glanced at his secretary, who'd shown up to pick him up. His voice was low and sharp."Release a statement saying my wife died in an accident today. Shut down the entire company for a week to mourn. Anyone who doesn't comply—fire them. For delayed contracts, enforce breach clauses."Vivi just stared, stunned, before scrambling to block his way. "What are you talking about? We called Leah out to get you to break up with her!"How can you call her your wife and make everyone think that? What if other companies get the wrong idea? You said we were getting married in a few days!"Harvey's eyes were bloodshot.

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 4

    Everyone just froze, eyes locked on the explosion. Harvey's binoculars hit the floor with a dull thud.Without thinking, he launched himself off the second-floor balcony, crashing to the ground and rolling to his feet. Banged up but unfazed, he bolted toward the burning car.One of his friends tried to grab him, but Harvey decked him and broke free. By the time he reached the crash site, a crowd had already formed.A doctor's voice cut through the murmurs. "She didn't make it. Collision and gas tank explosion—either one would've killed her."Even if we'd gotten here faster, it wouldn't have mattered. Her body's completely burned. Even if she'd survived, she wouldn't have made it without pain."We'll need the family to ID the remains."Harvey tore through the crowd, eyes wild. "I'm her family! Doctor, please—don't give up! I'll pay anything, just save her!"Then he saw it—my body.The crash had ripped me in half, burnt chunks of flesh scattered like trash on the ground.Harvey

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 3

    Outside, I heard Harvey's friends grumbling."It was just a joke, Harvey. Why're you so touchy all of a sudden?"Harvey's voice dropped; he was trying to keep his cool. "Leah's been terrified of water since she was a kid. How could you use her worst fear as a joke?"One of them scoffed. "Think of it as payback. Vivi's back—you don't wanna be with her sooner?""Yeah, you've done way worse before. What's one more thing?" another chimed in.Something snapped in Harvey. He kicked the table hard, voice cold. "She just had surgery. What if the wound reopened?"Vivi's face darkened. She glared at him, voice shaking. "It's only been four years, and you're already changing your heart?""Never," he said instantly. "You're the only one I've ever loved, and that'll never change."His friends whooped, egging him on."Harvey and Vivi are meant to be! If Leah hadn't gotten in the way, you two would've been together ages ago. She's shameless enough to stick around, so we should give her a fin

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 2

    After half a month at the rehab center, I was finally starting to heal. Harvey called me once at the start, then ghosted.As the day to meet Mom got closer, I forced myself to go home and pack.The second I opened the door, though, I walked right into a party. Harvey and his friends froze like I'd just crashed the world's most awkward surprise. Harvey's face twisted, unsure, but he stepped forward, frowning."Leah, why didn't you answer when I tried to contact you?"My eyes landed on the girl behind him—Vivi Baldwin. Long hair, white dress, perfect little soulmate vibe. When she caught me staring, Harvey rubbed his nose like a guilty kid."Vivi came back earlier than expected," he mumbled. "Since I just had surgery, I didn't wanna make a big deal out of it. Just a small welcome party. You're not seriously gonna throw a fit over something this trivial, right?"I clenched my shirt. Five years with Harvey, and Vivi had always been a shadow between us. Just hearing her name was enoug

  • Cut My Liver, Cut You Out   Chapter 1

    Through the crack in the door, I saw Harvey—sitting up in bed, looking perfectly fine. Rosy cheeks, not a hint of sickness. His friends were still buzzing with excitement."Back in college, you hired people to mess with Leah, made the whole class freeze her out. She couldn't even go back to the dorm for a month.""And right before graduation, you had her final project deleted. Sharon Cartier missed out on an award because of it, and Leah got dragged into an empty classroom and had her hand broken.""Counting this time, that makes ninety-three. Just six more, and it'll be enough to put together a confession book for Vivi. She'll be moved to tears when she sees how dedicated you are!"A wave of nausea slammed into me. The love I thought was heaven-sent turned out to be nothing but cold, calculated revenge.I tried to leave, but my body—still weak from surgery—gave out, and I crashed to the floor. Pain ripped through me as the incision tore open, blood soaking my gown.The doctors w

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