Obediently, Julie sat, feeling somewhat bewildered. Then, to her astonishment, Maria sat before her with a serious expression.

“Mom, thanks for taking care of me all these years," Maria said earnestly.

Julie was taken aback when she heard Maria's words.

"You... Silly girl, you don't owe me a thing. Don't talk like this.

Julie stuttered as she attempted to embrace Maria, but Maria still wore that serious expression.

Maria seemed set on explaining something to Julie.

She even started to remove her clothing.

Shortly after, she removed her shirt.

Other than her smooth skin, there was a prominent scar running down the center of her chest.

As Julie laid eyes on the scar once more, a hint of sorrow filled her gaze.

"Maria, what on earth are you doing?" Julie exclaimed, her voice laced with anxiety.

“Heart transplant surgery," Maria responded.

"What?" Julie was left baffled, unable to comprehend what Maria was trying to convey.

“Mom, I underwent two heart transplant operations," Maria said softly.

Julie finally realized something and widened her eyes in disbelief!

Why had Maria undergone such a high-risk surgery not just once, but twice?

She gazed at Maria's scars, marveling at their dreadful and menacing appearance.

How could a typical high-intensity medical procedure result in scars that seemed more Like deliberate injuries on a person's body?

Julie couldn't comprehend it and felt deeply sorrowful. Her heart ached for Maria's unfortunate circumstances.

“My biological parents passed away shortly after my birth. During that vulnerable time, someone seized the chance to perform a heart transplant on me, swapping my heart with that of another baby girl of the same age."

"Ah! What?" Julie covered her mouth with her hand in shock.

Parents were the most important protectors for children. But Maria lost her biological parents when she was just a baby. Why would someone choose to harm Maria at that moment? And even taking away her heart?

Heart transplant surgery? That was incredibly harsh for an infant.

How much pain did Maria endure back then? Was it life-threatening?