Chapter 9: The Truth They Could Never Undo

The slap left Laila frozen on the floor. Tears streamed down her face, but for the first time, no one rushed to comfort her.

Mom's hands trembled violently. She stared at Laila as though she were looking at a complete stranger.

"Tell me the truth," she whispered. "Everything."

Laila lowered her head in silence.

Healer Petra stepped forward and placed another stack of documents on the table.

"While reviewing the medical records, we uncovered much more than the kidney transplant," she said coldly.

"The surveillance records from five years ago, witness statements, and treatment reports all point to one conclusion."

"Miss Zora was the one who signed the donation consent form."

"Miss Laila never entered the operating room until after the surgery had already finished."

Dad's legs gave out beneath him.

"No..."

"That can't be..."

Petra continued without mercy.

"The signatures were altered afterward."

"The donor's identity was deliberately replaced."

"Someone inside the hospital accepted money to forge the records."

Everyone's eyes slowly turned toward Laila.

She bit her lip until it bled.

"I... I didn't ask anyone to change them..."

"I only... didn't correct the mistake..."

"Mistake?" Simon roared.

"You accepted Zora's sacrifice and watched us thank you for it every single day!"

"You watched us hate her!"

Laila covered her ears.

"Stop saying it!"

"I only wanted this family to love me!"

"She always had everything!"

"Grandma loved her!"

"Teachers praised her!"

"Even you loved her first!"

"Why couldn't anything belong to me?"

Her confession echoed through the silent healing hall.

Mom burst into tears.

"So... every accusation against Zora..."

"Were they all lies?"

Laila could no longer answer.

Her silence became the confession.

Dad covered his face.

His shoulders shook uncontrollably.

He remembered every punishment.

Every slap.

Every harsh word.

Every birthday they ignored.

Every time Zora silently lowered her head.

Not once had she exposed Laila.

Simon staggered backward as memories flooded his mind.

The thesis.

The academy rumors.

The kidney donation.

The mate bond.

Even on her deathbed, Zora had protected everyone instead of exposing the truth.

"What have I done..." he whispered.

Petra looked at them with disappointment.

"Miss Zora never asked anyone to forgive her because she had done nothing wrong."

"She simply accepted all of your hatred until her final breath."

Just then, another healer entered carrying a small evidence box recovered from Zora's belongings.

Inside were neatly folded letters.

Each one was addressed to a different person.

Mom slowly opened hers.

"Mom," it began.

"Thank you for giving birth to me. Even if you never loved me, I never hated you."

Her tears blurred the ink.

Dad opened his own letter.

"Dad, I hope your kidney stays healthy forever. I never regretted donating mine."

His hands trembled so violently that the paper slipped from his fingers.

Simon unfolded the final letter.

"Simon, thank you for once making me believe I deserved love. Please take good care of yourself."

"Don't blame yourself after I'm gone. I forgave you long ago."

Simon collapsed onto his knees, clutching the letter against his chest.

The woman they had abandoned had left behind nothing but kindness.

That kindness became the sharpest punishment any of them would ever receive.