After I Removed My Corneas, His Childhood Sweetheart Panicked

The day I got my license, I went to the hospital and removed my corneas. In my past life, my boyfriend’s childhood friend Lila stole my car on the first day of school.

She ran red lights, killed a pregnant woman and an old man, then fled. But my classmates blamed me. When the police came, I swore Lila was driving.

She collapsed into Ethan’s arms, fake tears in her eyes. "Nora, why frame me?" Then Ethan showed the dashcam footage—my face behind the wheel. "Still lying?" he sneered.

The victims’ families saw it. One stabbed me until everything went dark.

Then I woke up—back to the day before it happened. … “Welcome to Harborview, everyone!” Lila’s voice, sweet and cloying, echoed through the classroom. “Since I’m a local, I thought I’d play the good host and take you all to the mall tomorrow to pick up some souvenirs.

My treat, a little welcome gift from me to you.” The familiar words sent a tremor through my entire body. I was back. I had been reborn.

The classroom erupted in praise. “Wow, Lila, you’re seriously the best!

Harborview’s little princess!” “Lila, there are so many of us, that’s going to cost a fortune!” She just laughed, a picture of effortless generosity. “Don’t worry about it!

You’ve all come so far to be here.

It’s the least I can do.” Suddenly, all eyes turned to me. “Nora, the roster says you’re from Harborview too, right?” I nodded, my throat tight. “Yeah.

Welcome to our city.” Lila’s hand shot out, her fingers wrapping around my arm. “Nora, my car won’t fit everyone. You just got your license, didn’t you?

Could I please borrow your car?” It was like being doused in ice water. I froze, the memory of her last life’s request washing over me. That was how it started.

She’d borrowed my car, driven like a maniac through the city, blown through eighteen red lights, and ended two lives.

Then, my entire class, my entire world, had turned on me, branding me a murderer.

When the police came, I screamed my innocence, but Lila’s crocodile tears in Ethan’s arms were more convincing.

He’d slapped me, produced the doctored dashcam footage, and sealed my fate. Before I could even process the betrayal, the victims’ family had delivered their own brutal justice.

The memory was a phantom pain, so sharp it made me shudder. Before I could react, my purse was snatched from my hands. Ethan, my boyfriend, was already digging through it.

He pulled out my car keys and tossed them to Lila. “Go ahead, Lila. Take it.” The sight snapped me out of my trance.

I lunged forward, snatching my bag and keys back. “Sorry,” I said, my voice cold and firm. “I need my car tomorrow.

You’ll have to ask someone else.” Ethan’s face darkened instantly. “What could you possibly need it for, Nora?

Just admit you don’t want to lend it to her.” I met his glare without flinching. “You’re right. I don’t want to.

So what?” Lila’s eyes welled up, a perfect picture of wounded innocence. “Nora, I don’t understand why you hate me so much.

I just wanted to do something nice for our new classmates. Why are you always targeting me?” A bitter laugh almost escaped my lips.

Refusing to lend her my property was now targeting her. My classmates, of course, took her side. “Come on, Nora, we’re all in this together.

Don’t be so cold.” “Yeah, Lila just wanted to borrow your car for a day. Why are you trying to hurt her feelings? She’s never done anything to you.” Then, Ethan shoved me.

Hard. “Nora, can you drop the spoiled princess act for one second?

It’s the first day of school and you’re already bullying Lila.” I stumbled backward, the back of my head cracking against the edge of a desk.

A sharp, blinding pain exploded in my skull, and I sucked in a breath through my teeth. In my past life, his words would have been enough to make me question myself, to feel guilty.

But now? All I felt was a pure, unadulterated hatred. I wanted to tear him limb from limb.

I forced myself to my feet, ignoring the throbbing pain, and swung my hand across his face.

The crack of the slap echoed in the suddenly silent room. “You put your hands on me for her? Have you forgotten who pays for your tuition, Ethan? Who pays for your life?

You ungrateful parasite.” I stared him down, my voice shaking with rage. “We’re done. Go protect your precious little sister.” The word break up seemed to shock him.

His face went pale. “Nora, what are you talking about? Stop being dramatic. Lila is my sister, and you’re supposed to be her future sisterinlaw.

It’s only natural for you to look out for her. I was just trying to help you fit in with my family.” A cruel smile twisted my lips. “Do you really think I’m that stupid, Ethan? We.

Are. Over.

I don’t need to fit into your family, and I damn well don’t need to take care of whatever the hell she is to you.” With that, I grabbed my bag and walked out, leaving him sputtering in my wake.

His voice followed me down the hall, raw and furious. “You and your damn princess attitude! Who else would ever want you, Nora?

All you know how to do is throw your dirty money around to humiliate people! You’re arrogant and you’ll die alone!” I couldn’t help but laugh.

He never felt humiliated when he was swiping the supplementary card I gave him, or when he was happily accepting gifts worth thousands of dollars. I pulled out my phone.

First, I cut off the supplementary card. Then, I called a friend at the bank and asked her to print out every single transaction he’d ever made. He felt humiliated by my money?

Fine. Then he could pay back every last cent of that humiliation. That night, a deep sense of unease settled over me.

I drove home, parking my car securely in the underground garage. I let out a long breath of relief. There was no way Lila could get to it now.

Just as I was getting ready for bed, the hospital called. “Miss Reed? We have the results of your eye exam.” I’d forgotten.

A few weeks ago, my vision had been blurry and my eyes had ached, so I’d gone for a checkup.

The doctor’s next words hit me like a physical blow. “Miss Reed, you have a severe corneal detachment and retinal damage.

The corneas will need to be surgically removed.” My body went rigid. Sensing my shock, the doctor quickly added, “We’ll do everything we can to get you on the donor list, Miss Reed.

But the surgery needs to happen soon.

The longer you wait, the more severe the condition becomes, and the more difficult the procedure will be.” After hanging up, I called my parents and told them everything.

My mother, her voice tight with worry, promised me they would find a donor, that I shouldn’t be afraid. I didn’t sleep a wink that night.

The next morning, as I was about to leave, I noticed it. The car I had driven to school yesterday… was gone. A chilling premonition washed over me.

My hands shaking, I dialed the hospital. “I’ve made my decision. Let’s do the surgery today.

I don’t want to wait.” My parents, alerted to the urgency, pulled strings and assembled a team of five top ophthalmologists to prepare for the procedure.

Two hours later, I was on the operating table. As the anesthetic began to flood my system, a strange calm settled over me.

I glanced at the surgical camera mounted in the corner of the room, and a small, secret smile touched my lips. Five hours later, I woke up to a world of absolute darkness.

Panic, cold and sharp, pricked at my heart. I reached out a trembling hand, and it was immediately clasped by another. “Nora, sweetheart.

How are you feeling?” It was my mother’s voice. A wave of relief washed through me. “I’m okay, Mom.

It’s just… strange, not being able to see.” She pulled me into a hug. “It’s going to be okay, baby. I’ve already put out feelers for a donor. It should be quick.

The hospital said in three months, you can have the transplant and everything will be back to normal.” I nodded.

As she fed me, she asked, “Nora, why the sudden rush for the surgery?” I paused, then forced a light laugh. “I figured the sooner, the better.

Less damage, a faster recovery.” She accepted my answer. That evening, I told her I wanted some fresh air.

The lead surgeon agreed, giving me an hour before I had to be back for a dressing change. A nurse wheeled me out to a small park next to the hospital.

I listened to the sound of children laughing nearby, and it brought a genuine smile to my face. The nurse excused herself to use the restroom, promising to be right back.

I nodded, content to wait. A few minutes later, the peaceful atmosphere was shattered by a cacophony of angry voices. “Nora? What are you doing here?” “It really is you!

You’re a fugitive!

The police were at the university looking for you, and you’re just sitting here out in the open?” I frowned, the darkness around me feeling suddenly hostile. “I haven’t broken any laws.

Why would the police be looking for me?” Suddenly, a hand grabbed my arm, yanking me to my feet. “Nora, it’s you!

You need to come with me to the station and turn yourself in.” I recognized Ethan’s voice. I ripped my arm away from him. “Are you insane, Ethan?

Why would I turn myself in?” Lila’s voice cut in, dripping with phony concern. “Nora, please, don’t make things worse for yourself. Three people are dead.

You need to take responsibility. If you confess, we’ll all plead for a lighter sentence for you.” I shoved her away blindly. “What the hell are you talking about?

I didn’t do anything!” Then, another hand grabbed the collar of my hospital gown. “You!

You’re the one who ran my wife down yesterday, aren’t you?” a man’s voice roared, thick with grief. “You monster! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? She was pregnant!

We were on our way to celebrate! You destroyed my family, and I’m going to make you pay!” I was thrown to the ground, my body aching from the impact.

I tried to explain, my voice cracking. “You have the wrong person! I’ve been in the hospital all day!

My car was stolen, I reported it!” The man hesitated, his eyes flicking to my patient gown.

But Lila’s voice, sharp and venomous, cut through the air. “Nora, we all know your family is rich and powerful. You could easily bribe the hospital to fake an alibi.

But these were people’s lives! How can you just deny it?” Ethan pointed an accusing finger at me. “She’s a monster! I can testify!

I heard her say that once she got her license, she wanted to go joyriding downtown, run red lights for the thrill of it.

She said her family’s money could get her out of any trouble. I tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn’t listen!” The crowd around us turned into a mob.

Their murmurs of confusion became growls of fury. “How can someone be so evil? She killed people and acts like it’s nothing!” “You rich people think you can do whatever you want!

You think our lives are worthless! You deserve to die!” The grieving husband’s hands closed around my throat. “Because you’re rich, you think you can just play God with our lives?

Is that it? I want an eye for an eye!” The wail of a siren cut through the chaos. “Police! What’s going on here? Let her go!” an officer shouted.

The man roared, his grip tightening for a second before he was pulled away. “I just want justice for my wife and child!

She destroyed my life and she’s just walking free!” “Sir, we understand,” the officer said, his tone firm but sympathetic. “And we promise you, we will get you justice.” He let go.

The next thing I felt was the cold, hard bite of handcuffs on my wrists. My voice was a hoarse whisper from the pressure on my throat. “Officer, you’ve made a mistake.

I’ve been in the hospital.

I couldn’t have been driving.” The officer’s voice was like ice. “Nora Reed, do you have any idea that because you fled the scene and didn’t call for help, the pregnant woman bled out?

A life that could have been saved was lost.” “Where is your proof?” I choked out. “It wasn’t me.” He sighed, his disgust palpable. “Miss Reed, the vehicle was found at your residence.

Dashcam footage and multiple traffic cameras show you behind the wheel. We have a dozen eyewitnesses who all identify you.” My mind went blank. How? I wasn’t there.

How could it be me? “If you cooperate now, you might have a chance at a reduced sentence.” Suddenly, a new voice cut in. “What is all this?” Someone in the crowd yelled, “This girl killed three people in a hitandrun!

The cops are finally arresting her!” In the ensuing scuffle, someone tugged at me, and the gauze bandage wrapped around my eyes was ripped away. There was a collective gasp.

Then, someone screamed. “Oh my God… she doesn’t have any eyes.”