Chapter 10
15
Three years later, I graduated from university and landed a decent job. The scandal had long since died down, with Mason and Hannah both sentenced to over ten years in prison for fraud and illegal organ trafficking.
My story was picked up by the media and soon became a landmark case for the protection of bone marrow donors‘ rights. Inspired by my experience, many others who, like me, had been emotionally blackmailed began to speak out.
The healthcare system also started to place greater emphasis on donors‘ right to informed consent and freedom of choice.
On that day, I received a special email from the National Bone Marrow Registry.
It read: [Ms. Quinn Browning, we are honored to invite you to attend the launch ceremony of the Donor Protection Program.
Your experience inspired this initiative, which aims to ensure that every donor makes their decision fully informed of the risks and with complete voluntary consent. Sincerely, National Bone Marrow Registry]
After reading the email, I flashed a faint smile. Fate had given me a second chance, allowing me not only to save myself, but also to help others.
A few days later, I traveled to Brisland for the launch ceremony. At the venue, I spotted a familiar face in the crowd–Matthew, who had
once revealed the truth to me at the hospital.
“Dr. Pearson,” I called out excitedly. “What a surprise to see you here.”
Matthew smiled and nodded. “Ms. Browning, it’s wonderful to see you’re doing so well.”
“If it weren’t for you back then, I might have…” My voice choked with emotion.
Matthew waved his hand. “Don’t mention it. I just happened to uncover Mason’s scheme. As a doctor, I couldn’t just stand by.”
“But you took such a huge risk for me.”
“It was worth it,” Matthew said solemnly. “Every life deserves respect and protection, including the donors‘ lives.”
At the launch ceremony, I delivered a speech as the guest of honor, sharing my personal journey and insights.
I scanned the room, my voice steady. “Bone marrow donation is a noble act of voluntary giving, but the key word here is ‘voluntary.’ Everyone has the right to protect their own life. This isn’t selfishness, but a form of respect for life itself.
“We encourage donation, but what matters most is respecting each individual’s right to choose. No one should face moral judgment for refusing to donate, nor should anyone ever be pressured or deceived into donating.
“Let’s reconsider the essence of donation–not as sacrifice, but as freely offering help while ensuring our personal safety. That is the essence of true kindness.”
The auditorium erupted in thunderous applause, with many in the audience wiping away tears.
After the speech, a young girl, her eyes glistening with emotion, approached me and said earnestly, “Ms. Browning, thank you so much! If it weren’t for your story, I might have fallen for their scam.”
I stared at her in surprise and asked, “What happened?”
The young girl said in a low voice, “I have this so–called ‘best friend.’ We grew up together. She got sick and needed a bone marrow transplant.
“We matched as donors, but her boyfriend kept pressuring me to donate. He even threatened me. It wasn’t until I read your story that I realized something was wrong.”
As I listened to her story, a chill ran down my spine. It was exactly what had happened between me and Hannah.
“And then what happened?” I asked urgently.
Her voice shaking, the girl said, “I went to the police. Their investigation revealed it was an organized crime ring!
“They specifically target naive and kind–hearted girls, faking illnesses that require bone marrow transplants. It was all just a front for organ trafficking.”
1/3
1:52 AM
Chapter 10
I could feel goosebumps all over my skin. Mason and Hannah weren’t just isolated scammers. They might be part of something much bigger.
I gently took her hand and said, “You did the right thing. Always remember, kindness doesn’t mean foolishness. Only by protecting yourself can you truly help others.”
The girl nodded gratefully. But deep down, my mind was reeling. This was no coincidence, but a well–organized scarn.
After the event, I reached out to several journalist friends, determined to dig deeper into this criminal operation. This time, I wasn’t just protecting myself. I was going to expose this evil network that preyed on innocent lives.
Back at the hotel, I received an anonymous text. [Stop investigating or face the consequences.]
I smirked, completely unfazed. I had been given a second chance at life. After everything I’d lost in my previous life, I had nothing to fear.
My mother pleaded anxiously, “Quinn, sweetheart, please don’t take any more risks. You’re finally safe now.”
“Mom, now that I’m safe, I have to help those still in danger,” I said firmly. “I can’t just stand by and watch history repeat itself.”
In the following days, I worked closely with journalist friends to dig deep and expose this criminal network under the guise of charity donations. More victims came forward to testify, and more scammers were brought to justice.
A year later, my investigation was adapted into a documentary titled “Life Is Not a Transaction,” which sparked nationwide attention.
As a result, I became an advisor to the Organ Donation Ethics Committee, participating in drafting stricter and more donor–friendly guidelines.
One day, my assistant knocked on my office door and announced, “Ms. Browning, you have a visitor.”
I looked up and saw a familiar yet unsettling figure. It was none other than Jacob–the fake reporter, Mason’s accomplice.
“What do you want?” I asked coldly, my hand already on the panic button under the desk.
“Relax,” Jacob said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. “I’ve served my sentence, and I’m here to tell you the truth.”
“What truth?”
“Hannah… was never actually sick.”
“What?” I stared at him in utter shock.
Jacob lowered his voice. “It was all a scam. Hannah’s jealousy toward you had reached a pathological level. She wanted to destroy you- not just physically, but your social standing too.
“She and Mason planned all this just to trick you into donating your bone marrow, and then…”
I let out a cold, macking laugh. “So they could live happily ever after once I was dead?”
“Pretty much. I never thought it would be this cruel, so later on I…”
My eyes widened as the realization hit me. “So it was you who told Dr. Pearson the truth?”
Jacob nodded. “I’d had regrets, so I tipped him off anonymously. Later, we were all arrested. Since I cooperated with the authorities and showed genuine remorse, I got a reduced sentence.”
I was silent for a long moment. “Thank you for your honesty.”
After seeing Jacob out, I stood alone by the office window, gazing at the city skyline.
In this second chance at life, I had not only saved myself, but also helped countless others. Those who had hurt me had finally faced justice, and I had discovered a new purpose in life.
Some said I was selfish for refusing to donate. But I knew this truth–only those who truly cared for themselves could genuinely care for others. Only those who valued their own lives could truly understand how to respect every life.
2/3
