Ten years ago, Michael Davis’s kidneys failed, and I was the only match in the country. His socialite sister, Ashley Davis, contacted me about donating, and it was love at first sight – for her, at least. She basically strong-armed me into giving up a kidney and marrying her. After our baby died, I filed for divorce. She went ballistic, ran me out of town. I ended up in some small-town dump, opening a diner just to survive. A few peaceful years went by, and then Michael’s kidneys went south again. Ashley calls the diner, demanding I give up my last kidney to save her darling Michael. She said scum like me didn’t matter; her precious Michael had to live. My diner partner, Sarah, answered the phone, shocked and helpless. “But, Ashley, you know John's got kidney disease himself. He’s in the hospital, not doing well. He can't donate a kidney!" “Where’s John? Get him on the phone!” Ashley’s voice was shrill and nasty. Her stilettos clicked on the pavement. She didn't believe I was sick, so she came looking for me. Sarah stood in the diner doorway, her pretty face etched with worry. "Ashley, he’s really not here…" "Not here? He’s hiding!" Ashley sneered, her eyes like poisoned darts. "Get that coward out here! Michael needs a kidney! He owes me his life, and it’s time to pay up!" Sarah bit her lip, her voice low but firm. "He can’t donate! His kidneys are failing. They’re damaged!" "He’s just saying that because he doesn’t want to donate!" Ashley scoffed. She waved her hand, and the goons she brought with her started trashing the diner. Tables overturned, dishes shattered, and our cozy little place turned into a disaster zone in seconds. Sarah’s eyes filled with tears, but she couldn’t do anything to stop them. She pulled out her phone and started a video call to me. "John…" Sarah’s voice cracked. On the screen, I could see the carnage. “Ashley's here… she wants you to give Michael a kidney. And she's wrecking the place…" I watched in silence for a minute, then said in a hoarse voice, "Put Ashley on." Ashley's face filled the screen. It was the first time we’d seen each other since she ran me out of DC. For a split second, I saw a flash of something complicated in her eyes, but then it was gone, replaced by pure rage. Her beautiful face was twisted with anger. The familiarity was gone. My heart clenched. Back when she was chasing after me, that face was always smiling. "Ashley, leave Sarah alone," I said. My voice was quiet, but firm. "John?!" Ashley shrieked, her voice piercing. "You finally showed your face! What, you gonna play dead now? Let me tell you something, you ARE going to donate a kidney to Michael! Right now! Immediately!" I took a breath, my voice weak. "I've got kidney disease, remember? I’m in the hospital. I can't donate. And… I want to live a little longer, spend time with Lily." I turned the camera to show my pale face, the messy hair, the hospital room, the machines. Ashley didn't care. She just laughed. "Oh, please! What movie set are you filming this on? You think I'm stupid? You just want to keep screwing around with Sarah. You don’t need to drag Lily into this, you little..." I winced at her language, but I held my tongue. "If you don’t agree to donate, I swear to God, this isn't over," Ashley snarled, and then she turned and walked out. I watched her disappear from the screen, feeling sick with dread. I told Sarah to be careful, and maybe even close up shop for a while. Sarah looked worried, but she tried to reassure me. "Don't worry. It’s broad daylight. She wouldn’t do anything crazy." 2 Ashley’s revenge was even crazier than I thought. Less than an hour later, Lily’s teacher sent me a video, her voice frantic. "Mr. Smith, someone’s handing out flyers at the school. They’re saying awful things about Lily…" “Lily Smith! Your dad’s a cheater! Your mom’s a whore! You’re a bastard!” Kids chanting, like some kind of twisted chorus. Even over the phone, it made my skin crawl. Outside the elementary school, a crowd of people held up flyers with pictures of me and Sarah, and a big photo of Lily, along with the nastiest words you could imagine. My daughter was only nine years old! How could Ashley be so heartless? "Ashley! Stop it!" I yelled into the phone, my voice cracking. "Come after me! Leave Lily out of this!" "Can't take the heat?" Ashley’s voice dripped with satisfaction. "You think you're so high and mighty, screwing around with that tramp while you’re still married? Now you know how it feels! Should've thought about that before." "Ashley, what happened back then..." I started to explain, but the words caught in my throat. I’d sworn I wouldn't reveal the truth. "Shut up!" Ashley screamed. "Don’t you dare try to weasel your way out of this! John, if you pull any more stunts, I’ll ruin your daughter! She won’t be able to show her face in this city, in this country!" "You’re going too far! I can call the cops!" My voice was weak. "Call the cops? Hahahaha…" Ashley laughed like a maniac. "John, have you learned nothing since you left me? You call them! See who gives a damn!" I dropped the phone, completely drained. Ashley wasn't bluffing. She could do it. I called Sarah, my voice trembling. "Get to the school! Pick up Lily! Now!" Sarah got there after the crowd had dispersed, but the damage was done. As they arrived back at the apartment we rented, I was talking to my daughter on video chat. The little girl was a mess, tears streaming down her face. Suddenly, chaos erupted on the other end of the line. “Shameless slut! Living in our neighborhood with your bastard kid!” “Get out! We don’t want you here!” “Kill the home-wrecker! Kill the bastard!” I watched helplessly as a mob surrounded Sarah and Lily, pointing fingers, yelling, even throwing things. Sarah hugged Lily tight, trying to shield her with her body. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. “It’s okay, Lily. I’m here…” Sarah’s voice trembled, but she tried to stay calm. “Mom… I’m scared…” Lily clung to Sarah’s neck, shaking like a leaf. My heart was breaking. I wanted to be there, to protect them. I could barely keep myself from screaming. She’d even stirred up the homeowners’ association, spreading lies about me and Sarah, calling Lily illegitimate. This woman was completely out of her mind! I was racking my brain, trying to think of a way to clear Sarah and Lily's names, when Ashley struck again. She had people fake food poisoning at the diner! A group of them started clutching their stomachs and writhing on the floor, claiming they were dying. They even threw up everywhere. The other customers freaked out and ran for the exits. I had to pay out a ton of money to make it go away. But it didn’t end there. She hired some internet troll to spread rumors about dirty food at the diner, using those videos of the "sick" customers to back it up. Overnight, my reputation was ruined, and business dried up. With no income, I had to check out of the hospital. That made Ashley even happier. She was convinced I’d been faking the whole time. She showed up at my apartment with a crew, and they completely wrecked the place. Splattered red paint all over the walls, broke furniture, even ripped up Lily’s favorite doll. 3 "So, not sick anymore?!" Ashley stood amidst the wreckage, looking smug. Looking at her, all I felt was disappointment. "Ashley, we were married. Why do you have to be like this?" Ashley laughed. "Because you wouldn’t listen to reason! Michael needs your kidney, and you refuse to give it to him!" "I’m telling you, my kidneys are shot. They wouldn't do him any good!" I said, carefully. "Give me a break!" Ashley didn’t believe a word of it. "John, if you don't agree to donate, I swear I'll make you regret it!" "Ashley, are you trying to kill me?" I closed my eyes, exhausted. "Kill you? Hahahaha…" Ashley’s laugh was manic. "John, I want you to suffer more than death!" The look on her face sent a chill down my spine. "John, if you still refuse to donate, don’t blame me for what happens to your precious daughter!" Ashley glared at Lily, who was hiding in a corner, her voice dripping with menace. My fists clenched. "Ashley, come after me, not her! She's just a kid!" "That little brat deserves everything she gets!" Ashley’s voice was sharp. She stepped closer. "You, her, and your little mistress, you all deserve to die!" A surge of heat rushed to my head, and my vision blurred. I knew Ashley hated me, hated me for "betraying" her all those years ago, for "killing" her child. But Lily was innocent! "Ashley, what happened back then isn't what you think…" I tried to explain, but she cut me off. "Shut up! I don’t want to hear your lies! You owe me a life, and it’s time to pay up!" "You…" I trembled with rage. "John, last chance. Donate or don't?" Ashley’s voice was like a snake. Looking at her, I felt a surge of despair. I couldn't let anything happen to Lily, but if I agreed, I'd die. What would happen to Lily then? "I won't donate!" I bit out the words, drawing a line in the sand. "Fine! Fine! Fine!" Ashley laughed, her eyes blazing. "John, you asked for this!" She waved her hand, and a couple of thugs grabbed Lily, who started to scream. "Daddy, help me!" Her scream tore at my heart. "Lily!" My chest tightened, and I lurched forward, but the thugs grabbed me and held me back. "John, let’s see how you like it when someone you care about gets hurt!" Ashley said, her voice cold. "I’m going to send her to a club and let them do whatever they want with her!" "No!" I screamed, helpless. "Daddy… help me…" Lily’s cries faded as she was dragged toward the door. My heart turned to ash. "Ashley, let her go! Please!" I gave up on pride and got down on my knees, begging. Ashley watched without emotion. "Take her away!" She ordered, her voice hard as ice. The thugs dragged Lily away, and her cries echoed through the room. "Ashley! Stop! My baby died, Lily is your daughter!" Sarah shouted as she rushed in, her face pale with a mix of anger and terror. "Daughter?" Ashley scoffed, her voice like ice. "Don’t think I’m stupid enough to believe that little brat is your little bastard. You and John rented those doors, what was I supposed to think?" "She robbed my baby of her heart, she should have died!" Sarah wept openly. "Ashley, she really is your daughter! Back then…" "I don’t want to hear any more of your lies!" Ashley shrieked, pointing at Lily and yelling at the thugs, "Take her away! Send her to the club, and tell those guys to get really rough with her!" "No! Leave my daughter alone!" I struggled, but they held me down. "Daddy… help me…" Lily’s cries faded, and my heart shattered. A mouthful of blood came pouring out of my mouth, and I collapsed. 4 “Dad! Dad, what’s wrong?!” Lily wailed, terrified. She struggled to get free, but the thugs held her tight. “Let me go! I have to help my dad!” “John! John!” Sarah threw herself beside me, her tears falling like rain. I was on the floor, but Ashley just laughed, assuming I was faking it. She glared down at me, hatred burning in her eyes. “John, don’t think you can get out of this by playing dead! I swear, even if you die, I won’t let your daughter go!” Lily was dragged away, her cries ripping through the air. Michael hid where I couldn't see him. He spoke into the phone, low and fast. "Take care of the girl, rough her up." In the club basement, a few heavily tattooed guys grinned. Michael pulled them out of jail. They tortured people, and they're waiting for the next victim. Ashley smirked. Lily begged for forgiveness. "I'm scared," she said. "Shut up," Ashley said. "You stole my daughter's heart." One of the men asked, "Miss Davis, this girl looks like you, is she your daughter?" "She can't be." Michael lied, "It is your daughter's heart, which is why she looks like you." "Torture her," Ashley said. Ashley left. "Torture her! Beat her! Make sure you record it!" Lily was tortured to death. "I got revenge on my daughter."
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