The Heart They Gave AwayChapter 1 The Charitable Betrayal

The annual gala at General Hospital was in full swing. Director Hammond took the podium, the spotlight landing squarely on my mother, Dr. Paige Henson.

"Dr. Henson is truly a paragon of selflessness," Hammond announced, his voice booming. "She allowed a matching heart—one intended for her own daughter—to be given to an impoverished student instead. She is an example to us all."

I was naïve then. I stood up immediately, my instinct to defend her kicking in before my brain caught up.

"Director Hammond, my mother follows protocol strictly," I said, voice trembling. "She would never manipulate the list to help someone jump the line."

Hammond blinked, genuine surprise crossing his face.

"Didn't you agree to it? That boy, Max Dickerson, was a match for you both. He was originally behind you on the list. Dr. Henson went to the organ allocation center herself to coordinate the swap." He paused, smiling at the crowd. "She said you, her own flesh and blood, could wait a little longer. She insisted that the boy couldn't afford to keep paying for his hospitalization."

The room tilted. I turned slowly to my parents.