Chapter 1209:

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Once all the arrangements had been made, she went abroad with Colton and Patsy for the treatment.

Patsy quickly grew attached to Kristine. Even confined to bed, she made an effort to talk whenever she had the energy, no matter how exhausted it left her afterward.

Perhaps it was Kristine’s presence that made the difference. In Eyling, Patsy no longer seemed as sad as she had in Colton’s memories. Instead, she smiled far more often. Watching the two of them grow close filled Colton with a sense of relief he hadn’t felt in years.

Then one day, the doctor asked to speak with him privately. “Mr. Yates, your sister needs a kidney transplant as soon as possible. Without one, she doesn’t have much time left.”

The words hit him like a hammer. The nightmare was repeating itself.

It had all started after this exact conversation. And not long afterward, he had met Elyse.

𝖣𝗂𝗌𝖼𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗋 𝗇𝖾𝗐 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌 𝗈𝗇 𝗀𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈𝗏𝖾𝗅𝗌.𝖼𝗈𝗆

Although Elyse had only been a pawn manipulated by Rita, she had become the catalyst for every conflict that later drove a wedge between him and Kristine.

A familiar sense of helplessness tightened around Colton’s chest, especially once he learned that Elyse might be a compatible donor.

He knew none of this should matter. After all, this was supposedly just a dream. Yet every emotion felt painfully real.

“Something’s been bothering you.” While Patsy slept, Kristine quietly led him outside, anxiety written all over her face. “You barely eat, and you hardly sleep. Tell me what’s wrong.”

Colton met her clear gaze and found himself at a loss for words. If this really was a dream, it was far too convincing. And that was exactly why he couldn’t ignore Elyse. Even if the operation would only extend Patsy’s life for a little while, he had to try.

“I’m fine.” That was all he could manage to say.

And just as before, he made the same decision. The transplant went ahead, and from there, events unfolded exactly as they had the first time.

Not long after the procedure, Patsy passed away. As the end drew near, she gripped Colton’s hand with surprising strength. “Colton, Elyse gave me her kidney. Promise me you’ll look after her. Please… please be kind to her for me.”

His chest tightened painfully. Unable to bear the desperation in her eyes, he finally nodded.

After Patsy’s funeral, he and Kristine returned home, while Elyse stayed behind in Eyling.

For a while, life was calm.

Then Kristine’s birthday came around.

The day before, Colton had promised her they would spend the whole day together. But while he was on his way to meet her, his phone suddenly rang. It was Elyse.

Her weak, trembling voice came through the speaker. “Colton… it hurts so much… please help me…”

The sound instantly dragged him back. Past memories and present reality collided inside his head, and a violent pain exploded behind his eyes. Images of Kristine standing beside Asher flashed through his mind one after another, each cutting deeper than the last.

He clutched his head and doubled over.

“Colton? Colton, what’s happening?”

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