The Price Of A Sacrifice

Adria's deep disappointment

"Young Master Julian is ready in Operating Room Three. The surgical support team is making final preparations."

"Good. Ensure the sterilization of the kidney from Subject B-02 is performed with high precision. Julian must not suffer any organ rejection."

The gurney wheels creaked against the polished marble floor, creating a haunting rhythm. Adrian, drifting on the edge of consciousness under the lingering effects of anesthesia, could only feel a faint jarring sensation. Beneath his heavy eyelids, the neon lights on the ceiling passed by like blinding flashes of lightning.

"Nurse Mia, prepare the equipment," Dr. Vane commanded as they entered a room filled with dazzling silver light.

"Doctor, are we not going to administer an additional dose of antibiotics for the Subject?" Mia asked, her voice laced with hesitation.

"There is no need. That would be a waste of resources. Our focus is Julian. This Subject is merely a vessel. Once the extraction is complete, just stitch him up and ensure he doesn't die on the operating table. That is your only task."

"But the risk of infection is so high for...."

"Just do as I say, Nurse! Or do you want to lose your job at Durnevra Corp?"

"I apologize, Doctor. I will prepare it."

The clinking of surgical instruments against the metal tray sounded like a death knell in Adrian’s ears. He wanted to scream, to tell them he could still hear, that he was still a human being who felt fear. But his body was a frozen prison.

"Begin the incision in the left lumbar area," Dr. Vane’s voice sounded incredibly close. "Scalpel."

Adrian felt a cold pressure against his skin. Though the anesthesia numbed the sharp pain, he could feel the horrific sensation as layer after layer of his body was sliced open. He felt like a machine being forcibly dismantled.

"Suction, quickly!"

"Bleeding is under control, Doctor."

"Look at this... a perfect kidney," Dr. Vane murmured, sounding awestruck, as if he had just discovered a diamond in a pile of trash. "Julian will love this. Prepare the organ transport container immediately. We must move it to Room Three in less than five minutes."

"Yes, Doctor."

Hours later, in the quiet and luxurious VVIP corridor, Elena and Dimitri’s footsteps echoed in a hurried pace.

"Dr. Vane!" Elena cried out as she saw the doctor exit the operating room. "How is Julian? Tell me he’s alright!"

Dr. Vane removed his mask and offered a thin smile. "Congratulations, Mrs. Durnevra. The surgery was a massive success. Julian’s new kidney is functioning perfectly. He is currently under observation in the first-class recovery suite."

"Thank God!" Elena embraced her husband with tears of joy. "Dimitri, our son is going to recover. He’ll be back to leading the company."

"Excellent work, Vane," Dimitri shook the doctor's hand firmly. "Your bonus will be transferred immediately. I won’t forget this."

"It is an honor, Mr. Dimitri."

Nurse Mia, standing behind Dr. Vane in surgical scrubs still stained with blood, summoned the courage to ask, "Sir, Ma'am... what about Adrian? I mean, Subject B-02? He just went through major surgery and"

Elena stopped her crying and glared at Mia with a piercing, cold stare. "He’s still alive, isn't he?"

"Yes, Ma'am, but his condition is very weak. He needs intensive post-operative care."

"Move him to the low-class ward in the old building," Dimitri ordered without a second thought. "VVIP costs are only for those who have a future. Julian needs every facility here for his recovery."

Mia bowed her head, her hands clenching inside her uniform pockets. "Understood, Sir."

In a dark room in the furthest corner of the hospital, Adrian was laid out on a rusted iron bed. The smell of dampness and dust replaced the sterile scent of antiseptic. He had no sophisticated heart monitors, no silk blankets only a single dim lightbulb swaying slowly from the ceiling.

"Dr. Vane," Mia called out as the doctor came for a brief check before leaving. "Adrian is regaining consciousness. He keeps mumbling something. I think he’s in a lot of pain. May I administer an extra dose of morphine?"

Dr. Vane checked the medical charts at the end of the bed lazily. "What’s the remaining stock of pain relief for this ward?"

"Very limited, Doctor. But this was a major surgery."

"Use only half a dose. Or give him the cheapest generic brand," Vane said, turning to leave. "Cost efficiency, Mia. Julian will need very expensive rehabilitation therapy next month. We cannot be wasteful just to soothe the whimpering of a donor."

"But he’s a human being, Doctor!"

"He is Subject B-02," Vane replied without looking back. "Remember that well."

Mia stood frozen beside Adrian’s bed. She saw the young man begin to stir. Cold sweat drenched Adrian’s forehead, and his breath was short and heavy.

"Ma... Ma..." Adrian whispered faintly.

Mia leaned in, tears beginning to well in her eyes. "Adrian... it’s Nurse Mia. I’m sorry."

"It hurts... it hurts so much..."

"I know, Adrian. I know," Mia searched for medicine on her tray, but she knew the dose Dr. Vane ordered wouldn't be enough to extinguish the fire burning through the young man's body.

Adrian tried to open his eyes. Everything was a blur. He saw Mia, but her silhouette seemed to merge with the darkness of the room. The pain in his side was no longer just physical; it was the pain of the deepest betrayal.

"Where is... Mama?"

Mia fell silent. She didn't have the heart to tell him that at this very moment, Elena was feeding Julian warm soup while laughing with relief in the brightly lit floor above.

"They... they’re busy, Adrian. Just rest."

Adrian let out a small laugh, a sound more like a ghostly groan. "Busy... celebrating Julian?"

"Adrian, don’t talk too much. Your wound might open."

"They threw me here, didn’t they?" Adrian stared at the cracked ceiling. "Like trash that's been gutted of its value."

Mia didn't answer. That silence was the cruelest confirmation for Adrian.

"Nurse... please turn off the light," Adrian whispered. "It’s too bright."

Mia switched off the single lightbulb, plunging the room into total darkness. "I’ll be back in a moment to check your IV. Hang in there."

As the door closed, Adrian was left alone in the silence. The pain exploded inside his abdomen, as if a knife had been left behind, continuing to slice through his nerves. However, amidst that torture, something else began to rise.

You’re right, Adrian thought in the darkness. I am no longer your son. I am no longer your brother.

Every pulse that carried pain now carried a new message. Every weak heartbeat now pumped pure hatred through his veins. He felt as if his old self was dying on this rusted bed.

If I am a product, then I will be the product that destroys its creator.

If I am a spare, then I will make sure you have nothing left to keep.

Suddenly, the temperature in the room seemed to drop drastically. Adrian felt as if something was watching him from the darkest corner of the room. Something not human. Something that had been waiting for him at the brink of this destruction.