Chapter 3

At the mention of that bastard child, the disgust in James's eyes grew even stronger. He wished Nora would just die.

Back then, Nora had spent the night with another man at a hotel, making the Smith family a complete laughingstock. Afterward, she actually got pregnant and gave birth to that bastard child before going to prison.

Nora looked at James in despair, as if she had never known him before. "The child is innocent."

"Innocent? When Evelyn was switched to your family to live that lower-class life, she was innocent too." Ava's shrill voice rang out as she slapped Nora twice more.

If Owen hadn't pulled her away, she probably would have kept hitting until she felt satisfied.

Nora's ears were ringing as she lowered her head, her cheeks red and swollen, letting Ava hit her.

Twenty-one years of raising her. This was what she owed them.

Taking a deep breath, Nora's eyes reddened. She looked up at James, her voice weak but determined. "I'll donate."

As long as they didn't touch her child, she would do anything.

"You're really pathetic." Looking at Nora's miserable and humble appearance, James felt a tightness in his chest, but ultimately didn't let her off. "Take her for the examination, hand her over to the doctor, and make her sign."

"Don't touch me." Nora's voice trembled, but gone was the timidity and pleading from before. She slowly stood up on her own, looking disheveled but with firm eyes as she looked at Owen. "You know my condition very well. I'll donate one kidney, and what I owe you will be paid off. From now on, please let's call it even and leave me alone."

Nora had a congenital heart condition and had been frail since childhood. Five years ago, giving birth had nearly killed her. Now the Adams family was making her donate a kidney despite knowing this. They basically wanted her dead.

Owen frowned, a trace of emotion flashing in his eyes.

After all, they had raised her for twenty-one years.

Nora had indeed been obedient and sensible in the Adams family.

"You'll keep atoning even after you're dead!" But Ava refused to let her go.

"Enough." Owen sighed. "As long as you agree to donate the kidney, the five years in prison have already punished you. Live properly from now on, and the Adams family won't make things difficult for you anymore."

Nora laughed, her hands powerless.

Live properly?

In her current state, she probably wouldn't make it off the operating table.

"Donating one kidney can make up for your mistakes? What Evelyn had stolen from her by you was twenty-one years of her life and half her life!" But even so, James still seemed unsatisfied, as if he wanted to grind Nora's bones to dust.

Everyone who once loved her now all belonged to Evelyn. Wasn't that enough? What more did they want her to atone for? What had she done wrong?

"James..." Nora spoke weakly, then suddenly smiled. "If you really hate me that much, after I die, scatter my ashes."

Nora's lips were pale, looking extremely miserable. "Don't touch my child."

James's eyes were sinister. Even at this point, Nora was still protecting that bastard child!

"You think we wouldn't dare?" Aiden answered for James, looking at Nora mockingly. "You're evil to the core, inherited your mother's lowliness! That bastard child deserves to die even more—such an embarrassment!"

Nora said nothing. Her vision went dark, and before she could even walk out of the hospital room, she collapsed to the floor, unconscious.

"Nori!"

Before losing consciousness, Nora thought she heard someone call her Nori.

Was it James? How ironic.

"Don't bother with her! She's just acting! I knew she was just saying yes with her mouth. Five years in prison and she hasn't learned a thing." Aiden said angrily, going into the bathroom to get a basin of cold water, wanting to splash Nora awake.

Nora wanted to open her eyes, but she had no strength left.

She knew very well why Aiden was so worked up—he was afraid James would find out she had a congenital heart condition and wouldn't survive the kidney donation.

"Aiden..." Just as Aiden was about to splash the water, James grabbed his wrist. "That's enough."

"James, feeling sorry for her now?" Aiden looked at James mockingly. "Don't forget your position. You're Evelyn's fiancé now, and Evelyn got into that car accident because of you!"

James froze for a moment, then slowly let go of Aiden's wrist.

That basin of cold water ended up being poured entirely onto Nora's face.