Chapter 56: Confession.

“Knucklehead...” she called. “I think I've already fallen for you,” she confessed, her cheeks flushing with the admission.

The moment felt suspended in time, fragile and electrifying, charged with a palpable tension. Silence enveloped them, interrupted only by the sterile hum of the machines that surrounded them.

Steven stared at her, momentarily speechless. He never expected her to confess her feelings so soon, and certainly not under these circumstances.

“If you’re not ready to accept it yet, I take it back,” Dua said quickly, her heart racing as she withdrew slightly, uncertainty flashing in her eyes.

Just as he opened his mouth to respond, the door swung open, and the doctor entered, flanked by Shane, Denise, and Desmond.

“Everything for the surgery is ready. She’s scheduled for surgery tomorrow,” the doctor informed them, his tone professional yet soft.

“Which one of you is the kidney donor?” Dua shot a questioning look at her siblings, her anxiety evident.

“Neither of us,” Desmond answered, his brow furrowed.

“What?” Her shock was palpable, her heart leaping in confusion.

“We already found a donor,” Denise chimed in, her voice steady.

“What? That soon? How?” Dua struggled to process the news.

“A patient passed away, and when we checked the kidneys, they matched your mom’s. Shane worked his word magic with the family, and they agreed to donate the kidneys to your mom in exchange for compensation,” Steven explained.

“Thank you,” Dua said sincerely as she wrapped her arms around Shane in a hug.

“You’re welcome,” Shane chuckled, giving her a reassuring pat on the back. “But I didn’t pay the bills; that brat did,” he added, tipping his head toward Steven.

Dua met Steven’s gaze, and though no words were exchanged, their emotions spoke volumes, a silent understanding lingering in the air.

“Mom,” Desmond called, catching Stella’s eyes as they fluttered open, drawing everyone’s attention to her.

The doctor quickly conducted a check-up, and after confirming she was stable, he left the ward to give the family some time together.

“How are you feeling?” Dua asked, concern washing over her as they surrounded Stella.

Stella managed a weak smile. “I’m okay.”

"No, you're not," Denise said, her voice trembling as tears pooled in her eyes. "But don’t worry, you’ll be fine after the surgery tomorrow.”

“You shouldn’t have to—it's time for me to reunite with your father,” Stella replied softly, a wistful smile gracing her lips.

“No, it's not. Dad isn’t interested in meeting you now,” Dua interrupted, the frustration evident in her tone.

Stella chuckled lightly, though it was tinged with sadness. “He’s my husband. There’s no way he wouldn’t want to see me.”

“Stop saying that, Mom. You’re undergoing surgery tomorrow, and you’ll be healthy again after that,” Desmond insisted, his voice firm but gentle.

“Yes, and I’ll stay with you tonight,” Dua added, her determination unwavering.

“No, you won’t. Go home with your husband,” Stella countered, shaking her head.

“Mom!” Dua exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and concern layering her voice.

“Yeah, sis, you should go home with your husband,” Denise chimed in, trying to offer support. “Des and I will stay with Mom tonight.”

“Neither will you two,” Stella said, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I want some time alone.”

“Mom, please don’t do this,” Denise pleaded, her voice cracking.

“I think you all should really give her some space,” Shane suggested, his hand offering a comforting pat on Denise’s shoulder. “We’ll hire a nurse to monitor her all night.”

“See? I’ll be fine,” Stella smiled, trying to assure them, but the effort felt strained.

“Yeah, I can see how ‘fine’ you’ve been,” Dua replied, her sarcasm lightening the atmosphere just slightly, which made Steven crack the faintest smile at the corner of his mouth.

“Shane is right; you should really let her be,” Steven backed him up. After a hesitant pause, they finally agreed to leave.

As Dua turned to exit, Stella called her back, while the others filed out. “Sit,” Stella instructed gently. Dua complied, sitting on the edge of the bed, curiosity and expectation filling her gaze.

“Be a good wife to your husband, Dua. He cherishes you,” Stella said, her eyes earnest.

Dua rolled her eyes. “Mom, please… tell me this isn't why you called me back." Dua replied. "And he doesn't cherish me," she added, glancing down at her hands.

"Forgotten words are no substitute for actions," Stella replied gently, her eyes filled with understanding. "He may not say it, but his behavior speaks volumes."

"You don't see what I deal with every day," Dua said, frustration bubbling to the surface. "He drives me mad, Mom."

"Perhaps you both started on the wrong foot," Stella said, placing a comforting hand on Dua's palms. "But I believe there's something good brewing between you two… I can sense it."

Dua let out a soft laugh, tinged with bitterness. "It's just me, Mom... not him." Her voice was nearly a whisper, the weight of her feelings pressing down on her.

"You love him, Dua," Stella said firmly, a knowing smile crossing her lips. "I can see it."

Dua shook her head, her laughter morphing into something more uncertain. "I agree that I may have fallen for him, but it's not real love yet, just a crush."

Stella only shook her head in reply, an affectionate smile still lingering. "You can keep lying to yourself if that makes you feel better."

With a bittersweet smile, Dua replied, "As long as you get well, Mom, that's all that matters to me."

Stella returned the smile, understanding the unspoken bond between them, before bidding her daughter goodbye as she left the ward.

As they stepped outside the hospital, Dua felt an unspeakable tension laying heavily in her as she walked with Steven. He hadn't said a word to her about her confession.

Denise walked alongside Shane, who punctuated their conversation with playful banter that coaxed smiles from her. Meanwhile, Desmond ambled behind, lost in his world of music, headphones comfortably wrapped around his ears.

"Has anyone ever asked you out before?" Shane asked casually, glancing sideways at Denise.

"Yeah, a lot of guys," Denise replied.

"Oh." Shane's face fell momentarily with disappointment.

"But no one mature has ever asked me," she said, and his face lit up again.

"So I'm the first?" He inquired playfully as they paused in front of his car.

"Wait, what?" Denise's expression was a mixture of surprise and confusion. "Are you...?"

"Yeah, tonight at 8 PM. I’ll come to pick you up." He interrupted, leaving her momentarily speechless.

"No, I can't... My siblings need me. At this time, we all need to stick together," she insisted, a note of urgency in her voice.

"Your sister has her husband, and your brother looks like he can handle himself just fine. You have nothing to worry about," he replied, his confidence unwavering.

Denise bit her lip, glancing away as she felt the weight of his words. Just then, he added, "Anyway, I've got to run. See you at 8," he winked at her before slipping into his car and driving away.

Desmond approached Denise, who remained frozen in thought, watching as Shane's taillights faded in the distance. "Why do I sense a potential romance brewing between you two?" he teased, a playful grin spreading across his face.

"Shut up, Des," Denise retorted, though a hint of a smile betrayed her amusement. Desmund chuckled softly.

Meanwhile, Steven finally broke the prolonged silence with Dua. "I should get back to work now."

She nodded, hoping he might add something more, but he simply climbed into his car and drove off, leaving her alone with her swirling thoughts. "Maybe I shouldn’t have confessed just yet," she sighed, glancing out the window as they pulled away.

Inside the car, Dua turned to her siblings, breaking the quiet. "How did it happen?"

Denise took a deep breath, her voice laced with tension. "I went to her room this morning and found her on the floor. I called for Desmond, and together we tried to revive her, but it was no use. Luckily, Shane came home just in time and helped us get her to the hospital."

Dua sighed, her mind flooded with thoughts. Each thought collided with another, forming a whirlwind of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her.