Chapter 352
He’d been in the game for so long, and there was no way he was going to let all his efforts just fizzle out now. Still, the hurt look in Nellie’s eyes was like a wake–up call. Maybe she wasn’t as easy to fool as he thought.
After that, Cameron turned into the perfect husband. He’d leave early and always come back late with a little gift for Nellie. He even planted her favorite flowers in the garden to win her over.
When she saw the garden full of roses, she was so overwhelmed that tears of joy started streaming down her face. She hugged Cameron tightly, her voice catching in her throat. “No one’s ever done something like this for me. Cam, thank you.”
At that moment, Cameron felt he had her right where he wanted.
He amped up the romance and, that night, he held her close, whispering again and again how much he loved her. It seemed like he was trying to prove his sincerity by making her his.
of Nellie’s defenses crumbled under the weight of his intense confessions of “love.”
So, when Cameron casually mentioned, “I heard your sister’s condition is pretty serious now,” it was actually a carefully disguised manipulation.
Nellie cupped his face. “If I give her my kidney, she might have more time.”
In hiding his excitement, Cameron reassured her, “Nel, you’re such a good person. If you save your sister, your dad and she will be forever grateful.”
“But surgeries have risks. What if something goes wrong?” Nellie worried.
Cameron cut her off, “It won’t, Nel. I talked to the doctor. The procedure is top–notch and done by the best specialist. You’ll be fine.” Nellie was slightly confused, but Cameron’s convincing words made her believe the surgery was safe and wouldn’t have major consequences. So, in a daze, she went through with it.
On the day of the surgery, Cameron was a bundle of nerves, pacing outside the operating room, worried sick about his first love, Greta. Nellie was the first to be wheeled out after the operation. She was weak but smiled at Cameron’s anxious face, thinking his worry was for her. She felt so touched that she reached out her hand to offer him some comfort.
Cameron held her hand gently. Her hand dropped weakly, but her fingers clung to his, like they were a loving couple.
Just then, Greta emerged, looking worse for wear, pale and barely conscious. She feebly called out, “Cameron.”
Cameron instantly released Nellie’s hand and rushed to Greta’s side. “Greta, are you okay?”
Nellie watched, full of doubt and disappointment but, most of all, resignation. Even when she was taken back to her room, she didn’t see Cameron again.
Nellie felt a gnawing unease and couldn’t help but question Cameron’s intentions. Still, deep down, she wanted to believe in the goodness of people; surely, Cameron couldn’t be that heartless. She just couldn’t let herself think the worst of him.
Late that night, after getting Greta settled, Cameron finally remembered Nellie. Like checking off a to–do list, he came to see her.
“Nel, the surgery went really well,” he told her with a hint of detachment. “The doctor said your kidney is in great shape. With the right care, your sister might even enjoy a normal lifespan.”
