Chapter 97
Chapter 97:
Kristine eased her grip enough for Elyse to gasp for air, but kept her gaze locked on Colton. “We’re not done. Put it in writing. I want it signed and a lawyer here to witness everything p>
Colton took out his phone, dialed Justin in front of everyone, and gave clear instructions before turning back to Kristine. “Will that do p>
Kristine shook her head. “I won’t let go until you fulfill your end of the bargain p>
Colton pressed his lips together and said nothing.
The entire operating room fell still.
An hour passed.
Justin entered, pausing visibly at the chaotic scene before him. “Mr. Yates p>
𝘑𝗈𝗂ո 𝘁𝗁𝘦 𝘤𝗼m𝗆𝗎𝗇𝗶𝘵𝗒 𝖺t
Colton looked over. “Bring me a sheet of paper and a pen p>
Without hesitation, Justin handed them over. Colton wrote out the agreement, each sentence short and clear. Kristine read through it twice, nodded her approval, and only then did Colton add his signature at the bottom. It was official.
Raising her cuffed wrist, Kristine demanded, “Unlock it p>
Colton turned to Brent. Though reluctant, Brent eventually produced the key and freed her wrist.
The moment the cuff fell away, Kristine gave Elyse a forceful shove toward Colton and bolted for the door. She would be a fool to believe Colton would actually honor that agreement.
Colton managed to catch Elyse before she collapsed. By the time he looked up again, Kristine had vanished.
Elyse’s voice barely rose above a whisper as she clung to him. Looking down, Colton saw just how fragile she looked — as though she might disappear if he let go.
“I feel awful… Am I… Am I dying?” she whispered.
“You’re not going to die p>
“Don’t lie to me, Colton. After searching so long, we finally found a match… But Kristine won’t agree… I p>
A sudden cough from Elyse sprayed blood across Colton’s white suit, staining it deep red.
“Don’t say another word!” Colton held tightly to her hand.
“No… Colton… Let me… just finish… If there’s another life… I p>
Elyse’s breaths quickened, each one shorter than the last.
Alarmed, Brent dropped to her side. “Elyse, stop talking p>
Her lips moved one last time before she slipped out of consciousness.
The color drained from Brent’s face. Without a second thought, he gathered her from Colton’s arms and lowered her onto the operating table with care.
More than an hour dragged by before the surgery ended.
When Brent reappeared, he looked as though he had aged a decade. “Colton, she’s fading fast. If she doesn’t get that transplant, she has hours left — maybe less p>
A shadow crossed Colton’s face.
“Patsy’s the reason she ended up like this. You remember the promise you made to Patsy, don’t you?” Brent pressed on.
Justin’s head snapped up at the mention of that name. Patsy. The name triggered something. He was certain he had heard it before.
Colton shut his eyes for a moment. “I have already told Kristine I won’t force her into donating her kidney p>
“Can you honestly just watch Elyse die? A person can survive with one kidney. Kristine is healthy — she’d bounce back. But Elyse? Her one good kidney is failing. She can’t make it without the transplant. Remember, she endured all of this for Patsy p>