Chapter 8

Panic flashed on Ruby's face. Hastily, she explained, "Charles and I are just friends. Don't say things that aren't true!"

I scoffed. "I haven't even said anything. How can you be sure that's why I don't want to donate?"

"Then why?" Ruby replied instinctively. Then, she flushed, realizing her mistake. "There's nothing improper between us. You're just paranoid, thinking everyone's out to get you!"

I looked at one of the reporters at the front. "Did Ruby tell you she's Charles' first love?"

There was a murmur of disapproval from the crowd.

"So you're refusing to donate your daughter's organs to her son because you're jealous?"

The reporters had been paid off by Ruby, so they tried to twist my words. They wanted to paint me as a jealous woman who would let a child die out of pettiness.

I took out my phone and played a recording. Charles' voice sounded, echoing around the funeral hall. "You found out about my plan for a divorce, didn't you? Are you trying to threaten me with this?