My hand gripped the armrest tightly. I wanted to tell Alexander to slow down. But I couldn't stop thinking about Grace. Was she in danger? I stayed silent.
We reached the hospital. I almost threw up. I forced down the nausea and followed Alexander to the emergency room.
Owen was already waiting at the door. He stared at me for a second. He didn't say a word. He just grabbed Alexander and pulled him inside.
I wanted to follow. But I stopped. I sat down on a chair outside.
Alexander and Owen came out of the emergency room. They didn't even notice me sitting there.
Grace was lying on a stretcher. Her face was pale. She was completely still. They were rushing her to the operating room.
I stood up. I was frozen. The sight terrified me.
A few weeks ago, I saw Grace when I took my mom for a checkup. She was thin then. But her face wasn't this pale.
I followed them silently. I said nothing.
We took the elevator to the operating floor. I couldn't keep up. The doors closed before I could get in. I had to wait for the next one.
When I finally reached the operating room, Grace was already inside. Alexander looked at me. He seemed surprised. Like he had just remembered I was there.
I don't know why. But the look in his eyes made my heart sink. It felt like I was flying high. Then suddenly, I lost my wings. I fell hard. It hurt. I couldn't breathe.
Alexander walked over. He pulled me into a hug. He sat me down on a chair. He didn't say anything.
I was quieter than usual. I just sat there. I stared at the red light above the door. It said, “In Operation.”
Lately, everything has been going wrong. First, my mom got sick. We took her to the hospital. Luckily, it wasn't serious. Then, Alexander's mom had a stroke. She had surgery. She just got out of the hospital. Now, Grace was fighting for her life.
My mind was racing. I felt restless. Then the operating room door opened. A nurse came out. “Is there anyone here with type O blood?” she asked.
I stared at her. I remembered the last time Alexander's mom had surgery. The blood bank was short then too. Now, it was happening again. What were the odds? It felt like winning the lottery.
“I'm type B,” Owen said. He was pacing like a man on fire. “Alexander, what about you? No, you're type AB! You're just a universal donor for plasma!”
I turned to look at Alexander. He was right in front of me. My lips moved. I wanted to say something. But he spoke first.
“Evie, can you donate 400 ml first?” he asked. “I'll find someone else to help later.”
I shook my head instinctively. I stepped back.
“Evie, you're type O!” Owen grabbed my arm. His eyes were red. “That's perfect! You have to save Grace! You have to!”
He looked like a hungry wolf. He was hurting my arm. I didn't dare to struggle. I was so anxious I almost cried.
“I can't donate blood right now,” I said. “Please find another way.”
I was pregnant. The doctor said I might miscarry. How could I donate blood now?
“Evie, why are you so selfish?” Owen shouted. “It's just a little blood! You can save her life! This isn't like regular blood donation! This is life or death! Don't you want her to die?”
“Owen, call Lucas!” Alexander stopped him. He turned to me. His voice was soft. “If you're scared, we can just do 200 ml. The hospital is already getting blood from the bank. It'll be here soon. We just need help right now.”
I looked into his eyes. He was waiting for my answer. After a long moment, I nodded.
The nurse took me for a checkup. They prepared to draw blood. They took blood from one arm. They used it for Grace on the other side.
I lay on the hospital bed. I stared at the ceiling. I didn't know how to feel. I told myself it would be okay. I told myself I was saving a life. Just like Owen said, I couldn't just stand by. My baby and I were saving a life. Thinking that way made it feel better.
Later, the nurse asked if I could give more. They needed more blood. I closed my eyes. I nodded.
Alexander held my other hand. He thought I was scared. He spoke softly. “It's okay. It's just a normal blood donation. It's good for your health.”
I didn't answer.
Finally, they drew 300 ml. Alexander had already prepared some sugar water for me. I sat on the bed. I drank it quietly.
Soon, the blood bank delivered more type O blood. Lucas arrived. Aurora came with him. She was type O too. We didn't have to worry anymore.
The surgery was still going on. Alexander told me it was late. He said he would take me home.
I didn't argue. I had to think about the baby.
When we got back to Sterling Manor, I told Alexander. “Go see Grace,” I said. “She might need you. I'll go upstairs and rest.”
“Don't think too much,” he said. He touched my head. “Get some rest.”
I nodded. I walked up the stairs. When I reached the top, I remembered I hadn't told him I was pregnant.
“Alexander—” I turned around. He was already at the door.
“What is it?” he asked.
“Nothing,” I said. “I hope Grace gets better soon.”
He looked at me quietly. After a moment, he nodded.
“Good night.”
“Good night,” I said. I went upstairs.
He watched me until I was gone. Then he left Sterling Manor. He closed the door.
I went into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth. I washed my face. I changed into my pajamas. I lay down in bed. But I couldn't sleep.
My mind wandered. I thought about how Alexander and I met. How we registered our marriage. How we fell in love. Everything seemed to go so smoothly. It was beautiful. But sometimes, it felt unreal.
Our relationship was perfect. We never really fought. I felt lucky more than once. I helped my family through a crisis. I met the man I loved. What a wonderful fate. What a blessing.