I donated one of my kidneys to my husband because I truly believed that love required sacrifice. I never thought that saving his life would become the very moment he chose to ruin mine.

Not long ago, I underwent surgery to give my husband, Nick, one of my kidneys.CRSAID

But only two days after the operation, he looked at me weakly and said, “You finally fulfilled your purpose. Let’s get divorced. Truth is, I can’t stand you. And I never loved you.”

I was still exhausted and foggy from the procedure, my side stitched up and throbbing whenever I shifted in the hospital bed.

At first, I assumed he was joking. I even managed a faint smile.

“Stop,” I murmured. “The nurse will hear you.”

“I’m not joking, Rachel,” he said. His tone was steady, almost distant.

Something inside me fell completely silent.

We had been married and sharing a home for 15 years by then.

When Nick became gravely ill, I didn’t hesitate.

I gave him my kidney because I loved him more than anything in the world.

When the transplant coordinator asked whether I was certain, I replied, “Test me first. I don’t care what it takes.”