«I’ll give you a million if you cure me,» smiled the billionaire… Until the child touched him…

«Why doesn’t it work?» he whispered. «Why not now?» Alexander sat nearby. His voice was low, with hoarseness.

«Because you’re not God, Luke. You’re just a boy. You gave me what science couldn’t.

But this—is different. This—is body.» Pain.

Blood. He fell silent. Then quietly added.

«Maybe now it’s my turn?» The next morning, he took tests. Matched. Full compatibility.

«You’re not young anymore,» the doctor said cautiously, «and only one functioning kidney—this is a risk. Are you sure?» «Absolutely.» Before signing the papers, Luke approached him.

«Why are you doing this?» Alexander looked at him long. «So you don’t lose what I lost forever.» «What?» «The one who loves you.

Without conditions. Without fear. Without calculation.

This isn’t debt. This is, perhaps, the only thing truly important.» The operation went successfully.

Mary started the next day, smiled at Luke, kissed his palms. «I knew you were nearby,» she whispered. He wanted to say it wasn’t him who saved her…

But didn’t. She knew anyway. Alexander came to later, lay with eyes covered.

Weakness was unbearable, but somehow different, light. Luke entered the room. In his hands, an envelope.

He silently placed it on the nightstand. «What is this?» Alexander asked. «A check.

A million dollars. You signed it. I’m… tearing it.»

He took the paper from his pocket, tore it in half, and threw it in the trash. Why? Luke sat nearby. «Because real deeds aren’t bought.

For what you did, you don’t pay. You thank.» He stood and left, leaving silence behind.

Alexander closed his eyes and smiled for the first time in many years. Not a business smile, not polite, not fake. Real.

He knew there was much pain ahead. Much work. But he already knew why to live.

Three months after discharge, Alexander himself dug the earth. With a small shovel, bandaged side, in a thick shirt, he laid a trench for the plumbing. And if someone who knew him a year ago saw this, they wouldn’t believe it.

«Careful, don’t strain,» the nurse said, watching his movements. «I already gave a kidney. Muscles will hold somehow,» he replied with a smirk…