Chapter 1

Sean Quinn was signing organ donation papers when Lucy Lawson's call came in.

"Chad's flight is at 5 PM. Make sure you've cleared out your stuff by 3 PM. I don't want him to be upset."

As soon as she hung up, Lucy sent her usual money transfer notification.

Sean smiled wryly. After five years, he still hadn't managed to warm her heart. But none of that mattered now. He was dying anyway.

At the hospital, the doctor explained, "Mr. Quinn, we need a direct family member to sign off on organ donation. Do you have anyone who can...?"

Sean looked at where the doctor was pointing on the form, feeling a pang of bitterness. He thought back to five years ago. His parents had died in a car accident, leaving him alone in the world. Besides Lucy, he had no close family left.

But he didn't want Lucy to know about his condition. So he forced himself to ask, "If I consent myself, is that not enough?"

The doctor considered for a moment before replying, "It's hospital policy. Given your current condition, you likely only have about a month left. You really should inform your family. Especially since your records show you're married - we can't proceed with donation without your wife's consent."

Although Sean didn't want to accept that he had terminal leukemia at only 30 years old, it was his reality now. He had no choice.

He thanked the doctor and left with the organ donation forms. In truth, he had decided to donate any usable parts of his body as soon as he was diagnosed. Even if there wasn't much they could use, at least his corneas could help someone.

Sean checked the time. He had two hours before Lucy's deadline. Enough time to visit Mrs. Lee, the housekeeper who had worked for Lucy's family for 20 years.

Mrs. Lee had gone blind from corneal disease three years ago. For the past three years, the Lawson family had sent Sean as their representative to visit her. Over time, Mrs. Lee had grown very fond of Sean. She saw him as her own child and always thought of him first whenever she had anything nice to share.

Sean walked in to find Mrs. Lee sitting on the couch drinking tea. Hearing his footsteps, she immediately called out, "Sean, is that you?"

Sean smiled. "Your hearing is so sharp, you knew it was me right away!"

Mrs. Lee laughed. "I may not recognize everyone, but I'd know your footsteps anywhere."

She handed him a small cake from beside her. "Lucy brought these earlier."

Then she asked curiously, "Why didn't you two come together?"

Sean hesitated. "When was she here?"

Mrs. Lee sounded surprised. "Not long ago at all."

She took Sean's hand. "Are you two having problems?"

She didn't voice her other thought - why had Lucy been with a strange man?

Sean and Lucy's marriage had been one of convenience, arranged when Lucy's family was pressuring her to settle down. Although Lucy had a boyfriend at the time, he was from a poor background. Under relentless pressure from the Lawsons, he had eventually been forced to move abroad.

Lucy had spiraled into depression afterwards, losing herself in partying and drinking. Worried, her family had hired a therapist for her - Sean.

Sean had fallen for Lucy the moment he saw her. But Lucy despised Sean, saying he reeked of bookishness and wasn't manly at all.

Sean didn't let it bother him. He patiently tried to counsel Lucy each day, telling her stories to cheer her up. Even when she covered her ears and turned her back, Sean never got angry. He understood that people who'd been hurt were often emotionally volatile - especially someone like Lucy.

Over time, Lucy seemed to dislike Sean less. She started to accept his guidance.

Later, when the Lawsons again pressured Lucy to go on arranged dates, she had suddenly grabbed Sean's hand and declared, "Fine, I'll get married - but I choose him!"

Sean had been stunned. He thought Lucy had genuinely changed her mind about him and developed feelings. But then Lucy presented him with a marriage contract, and he realized she was just using him to avoid the arranged dates.

Thinking of all this, Sean took a deep breath and reassured Mrs. Lee with a smile. "No, everything's fine. She's just busy with work and our schedules don't line up, so we couldn't come together."

Sean then slipped a bank card into Mrs. Lee's hand.

"My job situation is changing, so I may not be able to visit for a long time. Please keep this card and use it for anything you need. Don't deprive yourself."

Sean glanced at the time. Before Mrs. Lee could respond, he was already heading out. He needed to get back to the mansion before Lucy's deadline. After five years, he knew Lucy's temper all too well - if he didn't do as she said today, she'd surely throw a fit and trash the place again.

More importantly, he still hoped to get Lucy to sign the forms. With her signature, he could go through with the donation process and help restore Mrs. Lee's sight. So he had to hurry back.

Sean arrived at the mansion at 2:30 PM. The yard was as quiet as ever.

He took out his key, but before he could open the door, Lucy yanked it open from inside.