Chapter 6
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Staring at the scattered documents on the floor, I finally realized—this heart belonged to Dorothy. She was the one whose tissue matched mine.
But what was Patrick to her? Why did he handle her funeral arrangements? And why did he collect so much information about me?
Leaning against the cabinet, my chest tightened abruptly.
Breathing grew ragged as Patrick’s voice echoed in my ears.
“Your heart hasn’t fully recovered. Wait until it’s healed before returning to work…”
“Is your heart bothering you? Tell me…”
Then his words while listening to my heartbeat. “Listen to what your heart says. Listen to whether you truly love me…”
I clenched my fists, sinking to the floor with hands pressed against my chest.
So… was Patrick listening to my heartbeat? Or Dorothy’s? Was he concerned about me? Or Dorothy’s heart?
The answer clawed its way out.
A sharp pain stabbed my chest, vision whitening as memories of Patrick flashed before me-
The accidental bump at the hospital… him moving next door to borrow things… “chance” meetings where he’d drive me to appointments… his constant visits during my hospitalization… colluding with my doctor to
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keep secrets…
I’d never questioned it. Such coincidences don’t just happen.
My chest tightened further, vision blurring as my body locked up.
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The last thing I heard before losing consciousness was the door bursting open and Patrick’s voice.
“Ruth!”
I glimpsed him sprinting toward me, face frantic. But darkness swallowed me before he reached me.
Dazed, I felt arms lift me. Tubes and monitors invaded my body. Patrick’s voice cut through the fog.
“Drive faster!”
My eyelids refused to open.
Chaos erupted.
A nurse who’d done my IV cried, “Dr. Patrick, what’s wrong with Miss Smith?”
Then my primary doctor, “Why is Ruth hemorrhaging? She was fine this morning! Page Dr. Thomas–emergency surgery!“.
Patrick’s voice, trembling yet firm. “I’ll lead this surgery.”
“Patrick, are you sure you’re fit to operate? You shouldn’t—”
“I’m sure.”
Harsh lights flooded over me. Cold instruments clanged. I knew they were wheeling me back to the OR.
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The sting of IV fluids pricked my arm. Frowning, I forced my eyes open-
And met Patrick’s bloodshot gaze.
Though masked and gowned, I recognized him instantly.
Seeing my lips move, he rushed closer, bending to hear me.
Anesthesia crept through my veins.
I managed a bitter smile, whispering, “Patrick… are you thinking of me?
..Or this heart?”
Darkness reclaimed me. Pinching my fingertips, I felt nothing. Even the voices faded.
But at that moment, I heard Patrick’s reply.
“It’s always been you, Ruth. Only you, from the very beginning.”
His voice was unusually clear, each word reaching my ears crystal clear.
I repeated his words under my breath, “Only me from the very beginning…”
My mind was racing. Why did that sound so familiar? Where had I heard those words before?
I wanted to ask more, but no words came out as I fell soundly asleep.
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