As rage burned through me, the system’s voice returned.
[LIE DETECTED. KIDNEY PROBLEM IS A FABRICATION. COMMENCING REALITY-ALTERATION.]
19:15 0
My eyes snapped to Colby. Just as the system predicted, the color drained from her face, leaving her looking ghostly and frail. Ryan, oblivious, simply thought she was having a bad spell and pulled her into a protective
hug.
I watched them for a moment longer, then slipped away, my face a mask of calm. They had no idea what they had just done.
The next day, during the health check, I insisted on a more detailed renal function test. Ryan’s expression flickered, and he was about to refuse, but Colby jumped in first.
“Of course, of course! A comprehensive check is always better.” She gave Ryan a subtle nudge and a meani- ngful look.
He caught on. “Right. Whatever you want, Ruby. A full workup it is.”
During the examination, I could tell the doctor was acting strangely, especially when he was checking Ryan’s kidney function. His eyes kept darting away. If he had done his job properly right then, he might have actually
saved Ryan. But he was following Ryan’s orders, and in doing so, Ryan had personally severed his own lifeli-
Kidney failure and heart disease weren’t instant. They were slow, agonizing descents into death. I was more
than happy to watch the show.
When the reports came back, they were exactly what I expected. Ryan’s showed severe renal failure. Mine declared me to be in perfect health, an ideal donor.
I held my report and let out a cold laugh. Just two weeks ago, a different doctor had diagnosed me with hydronephrosis and warned me to seek treatment immediately. And now, suddenly, I was the picture of heal-
th?
The goal was obvious. They had faked my report to ensure the transplant went ahead.
This entire thing, from start to finish, was a trap.
This time, I didn’t hold back. I stormed into the doctor’s office and slapped the report down on his desk.
“What kind of doctor are you?” I demanded. “I was diagnosed with a serious kidney condition two weeks ago, and you’re telling me I’m perfectly healthy? Are you trying to kill me, or are you trying to kill my boyfrie-
nd?”
The doctor’s face paled, but he held his ground. “What are you talking about? I’m a physician. I would never falsify a report! The data is accurate. You must be misremembering. Now, please, stop causing a scene and disrupting the hospital!”
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Chapter 1
