Chapter 286
Audrey’s POV
“It’s from Evelyn,” she said. “During her final days, she dreamed about you often. After learning you existed, finding you became her greatest wish.”
My fingers trembled as I took the envelope. Inside was a letter written in shaky but careful handwriting:
*Dear Sister,
By the time you read this, I’ll be gone. Though we’ve never met, knowing someone shares my exact DNA brings me strange comfort.
I don’t know what kind of life you’ve lived, but I hope it’s been happier than mine. My life, though brief, was fulfilling – loving parents, a career I loved, and my precious Emma.
–
My only regret is missing her grow up. If possible, I hope you might care for her. This is just a dying woman’s wish you have every right to refuse.
Whatever you decide, I wish you happiness. Perhaps someday, you’ll tell Emma that she has another mother who loves her, watching from above.
Forever loving you,
Evelyn Knox
Tears blurred my vision as I finished reading. I felt connected to this sister I’d never met but was bound to by blood.
“She never wanted to use my brain to revive herself, did she?” I asked, looking up at Eleanor.
Her face shifted from sorrow to shock. “God, no! That was Adrian’s desperate idea.”
She grabbed my hand. “Evelyn only wanted you to be healthy and happy, maybe care for Emma. She never thought of sacrificing
you.”
I frowned. “Then why did Adrian tell me
–
“Because he wanted to completely sever your connection to your past.”
I turned to see a familiar white-haired man in the doorway.
“Dr. Clarke, Eleanor said, standing quickly. “What brings you here?”
“Checking on my patient.” He walked in, studying me with interest. “Recovery looks promising.”
“It’s been a while,” I smiled,
Dr. Clarke nodded to Eleanor, who took the hint. “I’ll get some tea,” she said, quietly leaving,
Once we were alone, Dr. Clarke sat beside me, “Adrian did propose that brain transplant nonsense, but I refused immediately. I’m a doctor, not a mad scientist. Even if such a surgery were possible, who could guarantee the person who woke would be his wife?”
His expression softened. “Your sister was remarkably strong. When she learned about you, she just wanted to meet you, to give you a hug.”
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“And Adrian?” I asked.
“He’s drowning in guilt, trying to atone through extreme measures. I stopped his initial plan, but he insisted on ‘saving’ you his way.”
Dr. Clarke patted my shoulder before leaving. “The ravages that cancer has inflicted on your body have not completely subsided yet. Recover well, and you will return to the state of a healthy person.”
I watched him go, finally understanding the complicated truth – Adrian’s love for his wife, his guilt, and his concern for his daughter’s future.
That night, Adrian slipped into my room. Despite his exhaustion, he carried himself with that same rigid control.
“Heard Clarke stopped by,” he said, closing the door.
“He told me everything,” I replied, watching him carefully.
Adrian walked to the window, his back to me. “I assume you hate me now.”
“Why the lies?” I asked. “The brain transplant story, the gun – what were you after?”
He turned, his face half in shadow. “I needed to know if you were worth saving.”
O
“Worth it?” I sat up straighter. “Who made you judge of who deserves to live?”
“Evelyn deserved better!” His composure cracked briefly before he regained control. “And you had given up, ready to die.”
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He stepped closer. “My methods were extreme, yes. But I had to if you had enough will to survive, if you deserved the second chance her sacrifice gave you.”
“So that’s why you tested me so cruelly?”
You passed,” he said simply. “You chose to live for your friends. That told me Evelyn’s organs weren’t wasted.”
