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Chapter 2

Penulis: Little Dazey
Roman and I were high school classmates.

We had a beautiful and romantic mutual crush. We promised to apply to the same university.

We were together for eight years. Back then, he had yet to become the outstanding genius he is today.

We were just two ordinary students with nothing to our name. However, because we had each other, we became the most important people in each other’s lives.

We promised to graduate, work hard, and use everything we had learned to build a future together.

But just when we had finally secured stable jobs, Roman was diagnosed with a kidney disease.

The cost of Medicare Part B injection drugs was insane.

We spent all of our hard-earned savings, yet it was barely enough to keep things going.

We applied for medical assistance, but we were rejected for not meeting the qualifications.

To afford his treatment, I cut back on everything. Some days, I ate only one meal. At times, my meals cost no more than five dollars.

Even then, it was barely enough to get by and pay for his medication.

At my lowest point, I even searched through a garbage dump. I found out I was not the only one. Others were scavenging for food too.

They were already digging through piles of waste. They moved in groups while glaring at me as if I were an outsider who was taking away their livelihood.

A kidney transplant was the only way to save Roman, yet the wait felt endless.

His condition worsened. He grew too weak to get out of bed.

Just when all hope seemed lost, the doctor told me a match had been found.

It was me.

I stopped reminiscing and turned my gaze to the two people in front of me.

Blake rested her head on Roman’s shoulder. He pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. His gaze was filled with indescribable tenderness.

“She had it coming. You’re the one I was meant to be with.

“I won’t just buy you handbags. I’ll get you that spacious luxury apartment you like tomorrow.”

I pulled my hand back and tried to suppress the emotions surging within me. But the bitterness lingered, suffocating me.

I did not want to stay any longer. Just as I turned to leave, Blake casually nudged me with her elbow. I lost my balance and stumbled forward.

“Oh my, Celeste! You really should watch where you’re going.”

I fell, and my medical report and payment receipt were scattered at Roman’s feet.

For a second, worry flickered in his eyes. He instinctively reached out to help me.

But before he could, Blake grabbed his hand and gasped. “Dear, look!”

Roman followed her gaze, picked up the document, and skimmed it. The mention of “hospitalization for kidney disease” caught his attention.

His face twisted with anger. He threw the document at me.

“Celeste, do you have no shame? You really stooped so low just for money?

“It’s been five years. You haven’t changed at all. You’re still so obsessed with money, aren’t you?”

From the strength in his voice, it was clear he was in perfect health.

I forced a small smile, picked up the report, and made myself meet his gaze.

“If you’re so rich, why not act like a real philanthropist and lend me a little more?”

Blake covered her mouth and pretended to be shocked and hurt.

But the ridicule in her eyes gave her away.

“Roman, I don’t think she’s faking it. Maybe she really is sick.

“It’s a good thing she left you back then. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have found a kidney donor. Aren’t you researching this field? Maybe you should help her.”

She sounded as if she was speaking up for me. Yet every word was a pointed reminder to Roman that I had abandoned him for money when he was the one who had been sick.

In an instant, whatever hesitation he had was gone. His gaze turned cold.

“Using my research and academic achievements on her would be an insult to my work.”

Bab terkait

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 3

    Roman held Blake’s hand and turned to leave. She was still pleading on my behalf.But when she glanced back, I caught the look in her eyes. The pity was just an act. Beneath it was nothing but gloating and malice.I picked up the crumpled medical report from the floor. A sharp pain suddenly shot through my lower back.Dizziness washed over me. I pressed against the wall and inched toward the bed. By the time I reached it, I had no strength left.I stared at the words “kidney disease” on the paper, then instinctively placed my hand over the source of my pain.Beneath my fingertips, I felt a jagged, uneven scar. Underneath it, a healthy kidney was missing.Roman had a scar just like mine.Five years ago, he had grown weaker by the day as he waited endlessly for a donor. He had grown so thin that he was nothing but skin and bones.Death loomed closer each day. In the end, I gave him my kidney.Losing one kidney had not killed me. But the complications that followed were a differe

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 4

    He had become a renowned surgeon.The illness that had once nearly defeated him had become a condition he could cure.The future we had once dreamed of together had come true for him.On the other hand, I had no future left.His interviews were everywhere. They were on TV, in newspapers, and all over social media. Everyone praised him for his talent and bright future.A strange, bitter feeling crept over me.Yet, I felt a faint trace of happiness too.At least his future was bright.The sudden ringing of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. It was the bank.They told me the transfer of one hundred thousand dollars had been a mistake. I had to return the money immediately. If I failed to return it, they would take legal action.After hanging up, I lay on my bed and stared at the stained ceiling. My mouth was filled with unbearable bitterness. It was like I had swallowed something vile.After a long while, I called Lily and asked her to help me find a job.Roman must have

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 5

    “So, this is Dr. Roman’s ex-girlfriend? I heard she abandoned him when he was at his lowest.”“Really? Then she doesn’t deserve any sympathy.”“Exactly. Women like her should be picking up trash on the streets.”Before I could react, someone splashed red wine over my head.Juice, milk, and more wine followed. Glass after glass hit me, shattering upon impact.The people around me wanted to curry favor with Roman. They seized the chance to vent his anger on his behalf.Blood trickled down my forehead and stained my face.I felt nothing. My heart had long since gone numb.Roman watched me with a cold and indifferent gaze.“Celeste, don’t you have anything to say? Do I have to pay you just to get you to talk to me?“Looks like you’ve studied my schedule well. You came here just to ask me for money, didn’t you?”He pointed at the stacks of wine crates beside the waiters and said, “Move all of these to the storage room. Do that, and I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars.”H

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 6

    Roman froze when he heard Lily’s words.The anger and mockery on his face vanished, replaced by shock and fear.His eyes widened as he stared at me. I was lying in a pool of blood.He took several steps back and shook his head in disbelief.“Celeste, you’re truly something. You even got someone to help you stage this just to deceive me.”I was too weak to stand. Leaning against Lily, I looked at his pale face and let out a cold laugh.To him, I was just a woman who would do anything for money.Since he had become successful, he probably thought I had come crawling back. I would even be willing to throw away my dignity, lie, and scheme just to get a share of it.I met his gaze and smiled, even though my heart was breaking.“Celeste, you make me sick.”Slowly, I pulled away from Lily’s support. My body swayed, but I steadied myself.“What a shame. You still figured it out in the end.”Lily wanted to interrupt, but I stopped her with a glance. She bit her lip and fell silent.

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 7

    Perhaps God took pity on me. He allowed me to see Roman again before my time ran out.I quickly accepted this reality. Whether I had a month or just half of that, it made no difference to me.Lily kept crying.“Don’t cry. I won’t die that soon.”I did not want to spend my final days in a hospital, so I asked Lily to help me with the discharge procedures.With the five hundred thousand dollars Roman gave me, I bought myself a nice burial plot.Roman and I used to dream about owning a home together. That was our first goal in life.I had wandered from place to place my whole life. In death, I finally had a place of my own. It would be a quiet place that belonged to me, where no one could disturb me.I did not need any burial items. The things that mattered most to me had always been in my heart.When I returned to the basement, Lily was already there. She looked like she wanted to say something but held back.“What is it?”She handed me her phone. A video of what happened that

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 8

    I used to live in one of the low, run-down houses next to an orphanage. The walls were cracked and peeling.Roman would find out sooner or later that I had given him my kidney.By then, I would already be gone.I did not care how he would react, nor did I have the strength to think about it.I was an orphan and had grown up in an orphanage.The first time I ever left was when I went to college.I met Roman for the first time on my first day as a freshman.I could still remember that day. His side profile was sharp and handsome. His bright smile revealed perfectly white teeth.With him, I experienced my first conversation, my first confession, my first time holding hands, my first kiss, and so much more. All of my firsts had been with him.The memories weighed heavily on me. No matter how much time passed, they never faded.It had been years since I last returned. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and moss covered the walls.As I cleaned the place, I reminisced. The m

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 9

    SassyDuck42: Dr. Roman’s ex-girlfriend is dying. She probably went to that business club to see him one last time.MemeFiesta: She must really be desperate. Without money for treatment, she’s going to die.Soon after, my past with Roman was exposed. Our once-sweet campus romance was made public.MidnightNova: They were so in love and always together. I never believed those rumors about Celeste.BreadOverload: Me neither. There has to be a reason. They were together for eight years. No way she just walked away from him.Finally, people started speaking up for me. Many even expressed sympathy for what I had been through.More and more people believed that I had no choice but to leave Roman.In the end, the surgeon who had personally removed my kidney came forward and revealed the truth.JohnRenalCareMD: This was supposed to be confidential, but in all my years as a doctor, I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t help but feel sorry for that girl. But more than that, I respect h

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 1

    Roman Archer was recognized as the nation’s youngest medical genius. His research on kidney disease treatment was expected to significantly reduce mortality rates.Meanwhile, I suffered from kidney failure. As I could not afford treatment, my attending physician was certain I would not survive the month.On television, the host asked Roman to call the person he could never truly let go of.“Back then, you looked down on me for not having any achievements. Do you regret it now?”I glanced at the hospital bill I could not afford. Then, I looked at him on the screen and chuckled softly.“Roman, you’re so successful now. Could you lend me a hundred thousand dollars?”The call was ruthlessly cut off. Roman let out a deep breath and faced the camera.“Okay, I can truly move on now.”Little did he know that when he suffered from kidney failure, I was the one who donated a kidney to him.After the interview ended, I received a deposit of one hundred thousand dollars in my bank account

Bab terbaru

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 9

    SassyDuck42: Dr. Roman’s ex-girlfriend is dying. She probably went to that business club to see him one last time.MemeFiesta: She must really be desperate. Without money for treatment, she’s going to die.Soon after, my past with Roman was exposed. Our once-sweet campus romance was made public.MidnightNova: They were so in love and always together. I never believed those rumors about Celeste.BreadOverload: Me neither. There has to be a reason. They were together for eight years. No way she just walked away from him.Finally, people started speaking up for me. Many even expressed sympathy for what I had been through.More and more people believed that I had no choice but to leave Roman.In the end, the surgeon who had personally removed my kidney came forward and revealed the truth.JohnRenalCareMD: This was supposed to be confidential, but in all my years as a doctor, I’ve never seen anything like it. I can’t help but feel sorry for that girl. But more than that, I respect h

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 8

    I used to live in one of the low, run-down houses next to an orphanage. The walls were cracked and peeling.Roman would find out sooner or later that I had given him my kidney.By then, I would already be gone.I did not care how he would react, nor did I have the strength to think about it.I was an orphan and had grown up in an orphanage.The first time I ever left was when I went to college.I met Roman for the first time on my first day as a freshman.I could still remember that day. His side profile was sharp and handsome. His bright smile revealed perfectly white teeth.With him, I experienced my first conversation, my first confession, my first time holding hands, my first kiss, and so much more. All of my firsts had been with him.The memories weighed heavily on me. No matter how much time passed, they never faded.It had been years since I last returned. The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and moss covered the walls.As I cleaned the place, I reminisced. The m

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 7

    Perhaps God took pity on me. He allowed me to see Roman again before my time ran out.I quickly accepted this reality. Whether I had a month or just half of that, it made no difference to me.Lily kept crying.“Don’t cry. I won’t die that soon.”I did not want to spend my final days in a hospital, so I asked Lily to help me with the discharge procedures.With the five hundred thousand dollars Roman gave me, I bought myself a nice burial plot.Roman and I used to dream about owning a home together. That was our first goal in life.I had wandered from place to place my whole life. In death, I finally had a place of my own. It would be a quiet place that belonged to me, where no one could disturb me.I did not need any burial items. The things that mattered most to me had always been in my heart.When I returned to the basement, Lily was already there. She looked like she wanted to say something but held back.“What is it?”She handed me her phone. A video of what happened that

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 6

    Roman froze when he heard Lily’s words.The anger and mockery on his face vanished, replaced by shock and fear.His eyes widened as he stared at me. I was lying in a pool of blood.He took several steps back and shook his head in disbelief.“Celeste, you’re truly something. You even got someone to help you stage this just to deceive me.”I was too weak to stand. Leaning against Lily, I looked at his pale face and let out a cold laugh.To him, I was just a woman who would do anything for money.Since he had become successful, he probably thought I had come crawling back. I would even be willing to throw away my dignity, lie, and scheme just to get a share of it.I met his gaze and smiled, even though my heart was breaking.“Celeste, you make me sick.”Slowly, I pulled away from Lily’s support. My body swayed, but I steadied myself.“What a shame. You still figured it out in the end.”Lily wanted to interrupt, but I stopped her with a glance. She bit her lip and fell silent.

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 5

    “So, this is Dr. Roman’s ex-girlfriend? I heard she abandoned him when he was at his lowest.”“Really? Then she doesn’t deserve any sympathy.”“Exactly. Women like her should be picking up trash on the streets.”Before I could react, someone splashed red wine over my head.Juice, milk, and more wine followed. Glass after glass hit me, shattering upon impact.The people around me wanted to curry favor with Roman. They seized the chance to vent his anger on his behalf.Blood trickled down my forehead and stained my face.I felt nothing. My heart had long since gone numb.Roman watched me with a cold and indifferent gaze.“Celeste, don’t you have anything to say? Do I have to pay you just to get you to talk to me?“Looks like you’ve studied my schedule well. You came here just to ask me for money, didn’t you?”He pointed at the stacks of wine crates beside the waiters and said, “Move all of these to the storage room. Do that, and I’ll give you five hundred thousand dollars.”H

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 4

    He had become a renowned surgeon.The illness that had once nearly defeated him had become a condition he could cure.The future we had once dreamed of together had come true for him.On the other hand, I had no future left.His interviews were everywhere. They were on TV, in newspapers, and all over social media. Everyone praised him for his talent and bright future.A strange, bitter feeling crept over me.Yet, I felt a faint trace of happiness too.At least his future was bright.The sudden ringing of my phone snapped me out of my thoughts. It was the bank.They told me the transfer of one hundred thousand dollars had been a mistake. I had to return the money immediately. If I failed to return it, they would take legal action.After hanging up, I lay on my bed and stared at the stained ceiling. My mouth was filled with unbearable bitterness. It was like I had swallowed something vile.After a long while, I called Lily and asked her to help me find a job.Roman must have

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 3

    Roman held Blake’s hand and turned to leave. She was still pleading on my behalf.But when she glanced back, I caught the look in her eyes. The pity was just an act. Beneath it was nothing but gloating and malice.I picked up the crumpled medical report from the floor. A sharp pain suddenly shot through my lower back.Dizziness washed over me. I pressed against the wall and inched toward the bed. By the time I reached it, I had no strength left.I stared at the words “kidney disease” on the paper, then instinctively placed my hand over the source of my pain.Beneath my fingertips, I felt a jagged, uneven scar. Underneath it, a healthy kidney was missing.Roman had a scar just like mine.Five years ago, he had grown weaker by the day as he waited endlessly for a donor. He had grown so thin that he was nothing but skin and bones.Death loomed closer each day. In the end, I gave him my kidney.Losing one kidney had not killed me. But the complications that followed were a differe

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 2

    Roman and I were high school classmates. We had a beautiful and romantic mutual crush. We promised to apply to the same university.We were together for eight years. Back then, he had yet to become the outstanding genius he is today.We were just two ordinary students with nothing to our name. However, because we had each other, we became the most important people in each other’s lives.We promised to graduate, work hard, and use everything we had learned to build a future together.But just when we had finally secured stable jobs, Roman was diagnosed with a kidney disease.The cost of Medicare Part B injection drugs was insane.We spent all of our hard-earned savings, yet it was barely enough to keep things going.We applied for medical assistance, but we were rejected for not meeting the qualifications.To afford his treatment, I cut back on everything. Some days, I ate only one meal. At times, my meals cost no more than five dollars.Even then, it was barely enough to get

  • Death Is Where You’re Missing   Chapter 1

    Roman Archer was recognized as the nation’s youngest medical genius. His research on kidney disease treatment was expected to significantly reduce mortality rates.Meanwhile, I suffered from kidney failure. As I could not afford treatment, my attending physician was certain I would not survive the month.On television, the host asked Roman to call the person he could never truly let go of.“Back then, you looked down on me for not having any achievements. Do you regret it now?”I glanced at the hospital bill I could not afford. Then, I looked at him on the screen and chuckled softly.“Roman, you’re so successful now. Could you lend me a hundred thousand dollars?”The call was ruthlessly cut off. Roman let out a deep breath and faced the camera.“Okay, I can truly move on now.”Little did he know that when he suffered from kidney failure, I was the one who donated a kidney to him.After the interview ended, I received a deposit of one hundred thousand dollars in my bank account

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