Chapter 7
Elias’s face drained of color as he hung up the phone. Without another word to Charlotte, he bolted from the room, leaving her alone with her stinging cheek and the unspoken accusation hanging in the air.
By the time Charlotte arrived at the hospital–her face still throbbing from his slap–the surgeon was emerging from the emergency room, his expression grave as he addressed
Elias.
“Mr. Delaney, Miss Yates’s condition has deteriorated significantly. Her kidneys are failing faster than we anticipated,” he explained quietly. “We need to perform the transplant immediately–within the next thirty minutes.”
He glanced around the waiting area. “Is the donor available now?”
Before Elias could respond, Charlotte stepped forward from the shadows. “I’m here,” she said quietly, one hand still unconsciously pressed against her marked cheek.
The surgeon’s eyes flickered to her face, noting the fresh bruise forming, but maintained his professional demeanor. “We’ll prep you immediately.”
In that moment, Charlotte felt nothing but cold determination. This final sacrifice would clear her debt to Elias completely. After this, they would be strangers–exactly as she
wanted.
Elias turned, noticing her for the first time. Something complicated passed across his face–perhaps guilt, perhaps gratitude, perhaps simple surprise at her presence. “Thank you,” he said stiffly, the words clearly difficult for him.
Charlotte didn’t acknowledge him. Instead, she pulled out her phone and quickly changed her flight to that evening. No more delays. No more second chances. No more Elias Delaney.
Thirty minutes later, Charlotte lay on the operating table, surprisingly calm. This wasn’t fear she felt–it was anticipation. One last payment, and then freedom.
Just as the surgical team finished prepping, a nurse burst into the room. “We have a critical problem. The pharmacy sent up only one dose of anesthesia–there was a mix–up with the
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Chapter 7.
order. We only have enough for one patient.”
The surgeon removed his gloves with a frustrated sigh and stepped out to consult with Elias.
Charlotte didn’t need to hear the conversation to know the outcome. Seconds later, Elias’s
voice carried clearly through the door: “Scarlett’s body is already in shock. She gets the
anesthesia.”
Though she’d expected nothing less, the finality of it still cut deep. Her so–called guardian,
her only family for twelve years, consistently chose someone else’s comfort over her basic
humanity.
The surgeon returned, his eyes heavy with regret. “Miss Whitmore, we’ll have to proceed without anesthesia. You can still back out–no one would blame you.”
“Just do it,” Charlotte said quietly, her jaw set. “Let’s get this over with.”
The pain transcended anything Charlotte had ever experienced or imagined possible. White–hot agony tore through her as the scalpel made its first incision. She bit through her lip trying not to scream, but eventually lost that battle. Her shrieks echoed through the operating room as sweat poured down her face and the metallic taste of blood filled her
mouth.
When she finally regained consciousness, her room was empty–no flowers, no cards, no visitors. Only a nurse checking her vitals looked at her with undisguised pity.
“You’re awake,” the nurse said softly. “I’ve been a surgical nurse for fifteen years, and I’ve never seen anything like what your guardian did–making you go through that without anesthesia so his girlfriend could have it. That’s not normal, honey.”
Charlotte managed a weak smile but said nothing. When the nurse left, she checked her phone. Two hours until her flight. If she left now, she’d have just enough time to grab her packed suitcase and get to the airport.
As she tried to sit up, pain unlike anything she’d ever felt ripped through her abdomen–a searing, bone–deep agony that made her vision blur at the edges. But the thought of freedom, of finally escaping Elias forever, gave her the strength to continue.
Slowly, painfully, she dressed herself, then took out the legal document she’d had prepared weeks ago a formal séverance of guardianship that would legally separate her from the
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The Moment I Let Go My Uncle: Escaping the Forbidden Past
Chapter 7
Delaney family. With trembling steps, she made her way to Scarlett’s recovery room.
Inside, Elias sat beside Scarlett’s bed, watching her sleep with an expression of such tenderness that Charlotte had never seen directed at herself. He didn’t notice Charlotte until she placed the document in front of him.
His expression darkened as he scanned the contents. “You’re actually going through with this?” he demanded in a harsh whisper. “After everything I’ve done for you? I already told you, Charlotte–cutting ties won’t make me suddenly fall for you. This won’t change
anything.”
Charlotte’s forehead beaded with sweat from the effort of standing, the surgical wound sending waves of agony through her body. “This was our deal,” she managed through gritted teeth. “My kidney for my freedom. Sign it.”
Elias stared at her pale face, irritation and something unreadable flashing across his features. After a long moment, he took the pen and signed his name with a sharp, angry
flourish.
Charlotte took the document, carefully folding it and placing it in her pocket. Despite the physical torment, she felt lighter than she had in years. The last chain binding her to Elias Delaney had been severed.
She turned to leave, each step a testament to her determination as she limped toward the
door.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Elias asked, frowning. “You just had major surgery
without anesthesia. You should be in bed, not dressed for the street.”
Charlotte paused at the doorway, her back to him. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of
seeing her face one last time.
“I need some air,” she said simply, her voice hollow.
Elias watched her, an unusual note of concern in his voice. “It’s freezing out. Don’t stay
gone long.”
“I won’t,” Charlotte murmured, the lie bitter on her tongue.
I’m never coming back, Elias. Not tomorrow. Not ever.
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Chapter 7
She collected her suitcase from the mansion and dragged her battered body to the airport, each step an exercise in white–hot agony that threatened to overwhelm her. As she boarded the plane that would take her to Tanzania–to her new life–Charlotte paused at the gate, looking back one last time at the Michigan skyline.
“We’re even now,” she whispered, feeling the surgical wound pull with each breath. “I’ve paid my debt in blood. Twice.”
As the plane lifted off, carrying her away from everything she’d ever known, Charlotte
closed her eyes.
“Goodbye,” she whispered to the place she’d called home for twelve years. “Goodbye, Elias
Delaney.”
For the first time in years, she felt something like peace.
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