The video of the Smiths making a public scene went viral almost overnight.

To keep the momentum going, I funneled money into boosting their posts. In no time, the hashtag DebtOfGratitudeGoneWrong shot to number one on the trending list.

Clips of Courtney and her parents wiping away tears sparked an outpouring of sympathy online, followed by a wave of condemnation aimed squarely at me.

One person commented, "Can't she find another donor? Why does she have to cling to the same person?"

Another comment read, "I can't believe someone would be this brazen these days. Threatening someone with a knife over a bone marrow donation? That's basically extortion!"

Before long, public opinion completely tilted in favor of the Smith family. The office phones wouldn't stop ringing as complaints flooded in, pressuring my employer to fire me.

Unable to take the strain any longer, my supervisor, Brandon Lloyd, summoned me to his office to get the story straight.

I laid out the medical proof showing I wasn't sick and explained that I was conducting a social experiment on human nature.

Hearing that, Brandon nodded in approval. Then, he granted me special leave, telling me to stay home for a while until the storm blew over.

…

When the online frenzy reached its peak, I finally spoke out. Facing the camera, I wiped away my tears and said, "I saved her life back then. Is it really so wrong to ask her to save mine just once?"

Once again, people online were stunned by my sheer audacity.

Furious, Courtney went online and fired back, "You're absolutely shameless! How can you even say something like that out loud?"

I laughed at her response. Funny enough, those were exactly the words I had wanted to say to her.

Without wasting another second, I hired a group of online trolls to swarm Courtney's comment section, egging her on to file a lawsuit. I wanted her to be the first to accuse me of manipulation.

Just as I had anticipated, the trolls nudged her into taking me to court.

It didn't take long before the court summons arrived. A wave of relief washed over me when I saw that the trial was scheduled for the very next day.

At the same time, Elijah's former commander called to check on me and asked if I needed any help.

I rested a hand over my stomach, feeling the baby stir inside me. This time, no matter what, I wouldn't let anyone hurt it.