Chapter 84
84 Blackened Hearts
What the hell was he expecting?
This whole mess had sobered Stanley up a little.
“Mom, what are you even talking about?”
His head was pounding, and his stomach felt like it was on fire. He’d drunk too much , and now every nerve in his body screamed in protest. Still, he tried his best to stay calm and adjust his tone.
It didn’t work.
Even that wasn’t enough to keep Martha
“You little bastard, still denying it?”
exploding.
“Do you have any idea how much damage Scarlett’s done to us?”
“And you still went to find her!”
“Are you trying to kill
anger?! ”
“I’m warning you–she could be starving in the street for all I care. You are not allowed to help her ! ”
That was the moment Stanley finally, truly sobered up.
He stared at his mother, completely baffled.
“Mom… did you misunderstand something?”
Martha’s face darkened like thunderclouds. She looked like she wanted to slap him into next week.
“Misunderstand? What the hell could I possibly be misunderstanding?”
“Don’t tell me you
didn’t go
see her.”
Stanley rushed to explain.
“I did go, but it was because-”
“Because what? Don’t think I didn’t know. You
were always soft on her when she lived with us!”
Martha cut him off, voice even sharper now.
“She humiliated us at that birthday banquet! We almost lost multiple projects because of her stunt!” “If your father and I hadn’t begged everyone under the sun, it would’ve been you on the street, not her!” “If it weren’t for the kidney Rebecca needs, I wouldn’t have tolerated that bitch living this long!” Rebecca hurried over to support/Martha, gently rubbing her back and holding her arm.
“Mom, we’ve lived with Scarlett for so many years. It’s normal to have some feelings. Stanley probably just ran into her while looking for me. Don’t be angry.”
13:04 Sat 2 Aug cu
84 Blackened Hearts
Martha let herself be helped back to the couch and swept her gaze over everyone in the room
“I’m laying it out for all of you right now.”
“Scarleit is nothing more than Rebecca’s kidney donor.”
“She’s cut ties with this family. She’s hard to control now. If any of you leaks this and lets her escape , dont bother calling yourselves Joyners anymore.”
Their father, Franklin, didn’t object. “Mm. Right now, Rebecca’s health is the priority.”
Rebecca lowered her eyes in guilt.
“I’m sorry. It’s all because of me…”
“It’s not your fault,” Oliver said quickly. “You’re our treasure. We’d do anything for you.”
“And besides, if it weren’t for her being a match, she’d never have enjoyed all these years of luxury and status. She should be thanking you.”
“It’s just a kidney, not a death sentence.”
He turned to Eugene.
“Right, Eugene? Losing one kidney just means she can’t do heavy labor. We’ll give her a pile of money and send her to study abroad–she’ll probably drop to her knees and thank us for our generosity.”
Eugene said nothing.
He just lowered his head.
Earlier today, Rebecca had come home from her university housing. She claimed Stanley invited her back for a meal. When Martha casually asked her a few questions, Rebecca let it slip that Stanley had seen Scarlett on campus and might’ve exposed the kidney transplant plan.
Martha had been so furious she couldn’t eat, insisting they all wait for Stanley to return.
No one had gotten dinner.
Eugene had wanted to say something–to tell them that Rebecca’s condition had improved, that she probably didn’t need a transplant anymore.
Kidney surgeries were risky. If her renal function had recovered, they should stick to conservative treatment. And her latest test results were already approaching normal.
But just as he was about to speak, Rebecca had started crying.
She wept about her tragic fate. About her health. About being a burden.
And just like that, the entire family had rallied around her, doting and protective.
He hadn’t gotten a single word out.
The frustration was suffocating
And the memory of Stanley’s visit to Scarlett kept resurfacing.
84 Blackened Hearts
The feeling of being pinned down by silver needles it still lingered.
It had shaken him so deeply that even if someone forced him into surgery right now, he wouldn’t dare face Scarlett again. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Findnøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access s of novels early and in the highest quality.
And besides…
John had been holding lectures at the hospital lately. Just last night, he’d asked Eugene for a certain herbal supplement formula. Eugene had casually dodged the question, but John had looked at him meaningfully and said something that still echoed in his mind:
Sometimes, people have no awareness of their own darkness. That’s why the saying exists – Those who bring it upon themselves will not be spared .
“Eugene, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Oliver sounded annoyed but quickly turned back to comfort Rebecca.
“Rebecca, I saw your latest lab report. You’re already fit for transplant.”
“But since you didn’t want to miss the Medical Exchange Conference, how about we schedule the surgery the day after the event?”
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