Chapter 4

That rescue, the one that changed everything, happened in my second year of knowing Cassandra.

Torrential rain caused a massive landslide, burying an entire village.

Cassandra led the charge, with her closest friend and comrade, Sarah, covering her from behind.

No one noticed the massive boulder teetering precariously overhead.

"Cassandra!"

Sarah's voice ripped through the downpour.

The moment Sarah shoved Cassandra clear, the boulder crashed down.

"No!"

Cassandra lunged for the wreckage like a madwoman, only to be held back by three teammates. The rain plastered her long hair to her pale, distraught face.

Back at the rescue headquarters, she knelt in the rain, trembling uncontrollably, like a wounded animal.

It was the first time I'd ever seen her lose control.

The usually composed and calm Cassandra could be reduced to such utter despair.

Sarah was Cassandra's childhood friend, more like a sister. They'd trained together, joined the force together, and later retired to join the rescue team together. Their bond was thicker than blood.

When Sarah was pulled out, her heart had already stopped.

The doctors said even if they revived her, she'd need a heart transplant, and the medical costs would be astronomical.

"Please, I'm begging you, you have to save her!"

Cassandra gripped the doctor's hand, her voice raw. "Whatever it costs, I'll find a way."

But she'd only recently retired, most of her income tied up in living expenses.

Her friends did their best to chip in, but it was only a fraction of what was needed.

I watched her pacing the hospital corridor, her eyes bloodshot, as if she hadn't slept in days.

"It should have been me who died," she kept repeating. "Why did she save me?"

In that moment, my heart ached so much I could barely breathe.

I couldn't stand it anymore.

"I can donate my heart," I said, pushing the door open and stepping inside. "My blood type and Sarah's are a perfect match."

Cassandra's head snapped up.

"Are you insane?" Her voice was hoarse. "You'll die!"

I smiled at her, leaning in to whisper, "Trust me, I have a special ability. I won't die."

She still didn't agree, but I went ahead with the surgery behind her back.

Not only did I donate my heart, but I also helped the son of a wealthy businessman who needed an organ transplant. In return, his family provided enormous funds for Sarah's treatment.

Days later, I woke up.

When I opened my eyes, Cassandra was sitting by my bedside. She hadn't slept in days; dark circles bruised the skin beneath her eyes, yet she stubbornly refused to leave.

"You're awake," her voice was raspy as she carefully took my hand. "Does it hurt?"

It was the first time I'd seen her look so genuinely gentle.

Sarah recovered quickly, and Cassandra started visiting me at the hospital often.

She'd peel apples for me, feed me water, her gaze so focused it made my heart flutter.

Sometimes, when I fell asleep, I'd feel a soft kiss on my forehead.

She began sharing her stories with me—funny anecdotes from training with Sarah when they were kids, the rigorous evaluations in the force, and how terrified she was of losing someone important to her.

Her eyes were soft as she spoke, yet there was something else hidden within them, something I couldn't quite decipher.

Later, she proposed to me.

I nodded, tears streaming down my face. She kissed them away, holding me tight.

And after that, I applied to join the rescue team as an auxiliary medic, just to be by her side.

It was then that Julian was transferred back to headquarters.