Chapter 101
One week later...
Little Sophie was still in the hospital. What had started as a simple nutritional deficiency has now worsened? The exhaustion of being in the hospital weighed heavily on Loren and Morgan, who hadn’t left their daughter’s side. After tireless efforts to find the correct diagnosis, they finally learned that Sophie would need a bone marrow transplant. Otherwise, she had no chance of survival.
The news hit Morgan and Loren like a bombshell. Their cries of despair filled the hospital corridor, and the fear of losing their daughter was overwhelming. Sitting in the cold hospital hallways, their tears were a mixture of desperation, helplessness, and fear of the unknown. They wondered how such a lively child could be going through something so terrible. Loren, with tear-filled eyes, clutched Morgan’s hand, trying to find the strength to face what lay ahead.
Now, the search for a compatible donor has begun. It was a race against time, but also against the despair that grew with each passing day at the hospital.
“What are we going to do if we don’t find a donor?” Loren asked, her eyes filled with tears.
“Don’t you dare think like that? We will find one. Nothing is going to happen to our daughter,” Morgan said, trying to stay strong.
Quick, firm footsteps approached Loren and Morgan, interrupting their whispered conversation. It was Sophie’s pediatrician, her expression serious but trying to maintain calm.
“I know you’re exhausted,” she began, “but I wanted to let you know that Sophie is weak but stable for now.”
Loren sighed with a mix of relief and worry, while Morgan remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor. The weight of the situation was suffocating, and even the smallest update brought a flood of emotions.
“I need to step out for a bit,” Morgan said suddenly, his voice trembling but firm. “I… I need to think about how I can help Sophie. Maybe I can do something outside. Find someone. Don’t know, but I need to do something.”
Loren looked at him, understanding the feeling of helplessness he was experiencing. She wanted to ask him to stay, but she knew he needed time to process everything. In a soft voice, she replied, “It’s okay, go. I’ll stay here with Sophie.”
Loren, who had never been a religious person, walked into the hospital chapel, driven by desperation. She sat in silence, her hands trembling, and began to pray for her daughter, Sophie. She didn’t know exactly how to pray, but at that moment, all she wanted was an answer— a miracle. Her heart was heavy, and the tears that she had been holding back slowly rolled down her face.
Suddenly, her phone vibrated in her hand. She quickly wiped her eyes and answered when she saw it was Nick. With a voice full of sadness, she said, “What is it, Nick?”
“Are you okay?” he asked, concerned.
She took a deep breath before responding, but the words came out, choked by her tears. “No, I’m not okay at all. Sophie needs a transplant, or she’s going to die.”
Nick was silent for a moment, processing the gravity of the situation. “I thought she was getting better and that you had kept her in the hospital just as a precaution.”
“At first, yes, but they found out why she wasn’t absorbing the nutrients from her food... I’m devastated, Nick.”
He tried to comfort her, saying, saying, “Everything’s going to be okay, Loren. That little girl is as strong as her mother.”
“Thanks for your support, but why did you call?” she asked, wiping the tears from her face.
“I wanted to see you. You’re the only one who has what I need. My marriage with Laura isn’t working out the way I thought. We sleep in separate rooms.”
“Come to the hospital, wait for me in the parking lot. I’ll give you what you need.”
“I’m on my way now.”
Nick ended the call and started getting dressed to meet Loren at the hospital. As he was putting on his shirt, there was a soft knock on his bedroom door.
“Come in,” he said, adjusting his shirt.
Laura opened the door, hesitant. “Are you heading out?” she asked, watching him with a look that was a mix of curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
“Yeah, I have a few things to take care of. Do you need anything?” Nick responded, trying to sound casual as he put on his coat.
“I was wondering if you could stay with Miran for a bit. I need to take care of something with Nona and Fabian,” Laura said, hoping for a positive response.
Nick sighed, clearly torn. “I can’t right now. If you want, I’ll watch him when I get back. I have something urgent to deal with.”
Laura forced a smile and nodded. “All right, go ahead then.”
Nick hurried out, leaving Laura alone in the room. She watched the door close, and she felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She knew that Nick and Loren had maintained a secret relationship for years, and the only reason she had agreed to marry Nick was to protect Morgan’s life.
Nick left the apartment and got into the elevator, unaware that Laura was following him. Meanwhile, Laura left Miran with Fabian, who eyed her skeptically, already sensing what she had in mind.
“Why follow someone you already know is no good?” Fabian asked, rocking Miran in his arms.
Laura sighed, adjusting her coat. “I know he’s no good, but to get rid of him, I need a clear reason, something to corner him with.” Her eyes gleamed with determination.
Fabian shook his head, skeptical, but didn’t argue. Laura knew she had to act quickly. She ran to the stairs, determined to avoid the elevator so that Nick wouldn’t realize he was being followed. The steps flew by under her feet as she rushed toward the parking lot.
Once there, she saw Nick from a distance, getting into his car and driving off in a hurry. Without wasting any time, Laura grabbed Daniel’s car—one of her brothers—and, keeping a safe distance, began to follow Nick through the streets. She drove carefully, making sure Nick wouldn’t notice her.
While Nick drove ahead, completely unaware of Laura’s presence, his mind focused on something she couldn’t fully grasp, but Laura was determined to uncover the truth.