Chapter 4
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Three days later, the hospital confirmed the diagnosis: acute leukemia. The doctor recommended starting chemotherapy immediately while searching for a compatible bone marrow donor.
"The ideal donor would be a close relative, especially a parent," the doctor explained. "Would you be willing to get tested for compatibility?"
"Of course," I answered without hesitation.
"What about the father?" the doctor asked. "Testing both parents would significantly increase our chances of finding a match."
I fell silent. Should I tell Nolan the truth? Would he even believe me? And if he did, would he help Owen?
"His father isn't in the picture," I finally said. "It's just me."
The doctor nodded sympathetically and arranged for my testing. The results came back quickly—my bone marrow compatibility with Owen was only 30%, far below the 70% threshold needed for transplantation.
"We need to explore other options," the doctor said gravely. "Any other relatives, friends, or we can check the national bone marrow registry."
I nodded, my heart plummeting. Owen had no other relatives, and the chances of finding a match in the registry were slim to none. Our only real hope was Nolan, but given his hatred toward me, would he ever agree to help?
Just as despair was settling in, the hospital room door swung open. Nolan stood there, impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his face a perfect mask.
"Why are you here?" I asked, unable to hide my shock.
"To see where my money is going," he said coldly, his gaze falling on Owen in the bed.
Owen was sleeping soundly, the chemotherapy having drained all color from his little face. Something flickered in Nolan's eyes before his cold mask slipped back into place.
"What's the official diagnosis?" he asked, his voice carefully controlled.
"Confirmed leukemia. He needs a bone marrow transplant," I answered softly, staring at my hands.
Nolan was quiet for a moment, then asked abruptly, "How much more do you need?"
I looked up, startled. "You mean... for the full treatment?"
"What else?" he said with a hint of sarcasm. "I'm not here for the tearjerker movie."
His words stung, but I bit my tongue. For Owen's sake, I'd swallow any insult.
"The doctor estimates at least $75,000 total," I said quietly. "But I'm not asking for more. I'll find a way to pay back what you've already lent me."
"$75,000?" Nolan scoffed. "And how exactly do you plan to repay that kind of money? Selling yourself on the street?"
I snapped my head up, fury burning through my veins. "You can insult me all you want, Nolan, but at least have some damn self-respect!"
He seemed momentarily surprised by my outburst, then let out a short laugh. "I'll cover the full treatment. But on one condition—you sign an agreement promising to disappear from my life permanently."
My heart twisted painfully. He was literally buying me out of his life?
"That won't be necessary," I said, fighting to keep my voice steady. "I'll figure something out myself."
"Still so damn stubborn," Nolan mocked. "You really think you can raise that kind of cash on your own? Or find a compatible bone marrow donor in time?"
