The Kidney He Gave, The Love She Denied

“I still remember the searing pain, trapped under twisted metal, watching my adoptive sister, Olivia, cradle her boyfriend, Noah, after our car crash. The paramedics arrived, and Olivia, without a second thought, chose to save him over me. Her words, "Him. Save him," echoed the countless betrayals that chipped away at my soul. They pulled Noah free, and Olivia' s cold gaze met mine, chilling me: "Ethan, you' re a man. You can handle it." Then she was gone, leaving me in darkness, the pain pulling me under. I woke in a hospital, paralyzed, framed as a reckless, drunk driver by Noah and Olivia. My adoptive parents, the Hayeses, looked at me with absolute disappointment. Olivia visited, offering false sympathy, then dropped a bombshell: Noah needed a kidney; I was a match. The same sister for whom I' d already sacrificed one kidney years ago, a secret bond I thought we shared. Now she wanted my other one for him. "Please, Ethan," she begged, "It' s the last thing I' ll ever ask. If you do this, I' ll forgive you for the crash." Forgive me? The rage was so pure, so hot, the only thing I' d felt in months. I laughed, a dry, rattling sound. "No." She went to the media, crying on camera about her ungrateful, drunkard brother refusing to save her beloved. My public humiliation was complete. I was a monster. Lying there, alone and hated, I closed my eyes. If only I could go back. Then, a sudden jolt. My eyes snapped open. I was standing in a hospital room, ten years ago. Unscathed. Olivia, pale but hopeful, asked: "Ethan... Will you give me your kidney?" Time had rewound. A system notification chimed: [A new life path has been initiated. You may be exposed to significant personal risk.] I looked at the woman who would condemn me, and felt no love. Only cold, hard resolve.”