Chapter 28 BLOOD MATCH

Chapter 28 BLOOD MATCH
ELLIOT

I stride toward Mum and gently pull her away from Grace.

“Let’s discuss this outside.”

She shrugs me off. “Leave me alone, you brat.” Then she turns to Grace, her voice softening instantly. “How long has this young man been keeping you away from me?”

I look at Grace. She avoids my eyes, standing there like she’s been dropped into someone else’s war.

“She’s not my girlfriend, alright?”

Mum whips toward me. “You think you can lie to my face? Look at her.” She gestures sharply. “She’s wearing your shirt. She just walked out of your bathroom. And you dare deny it? Is that how I raised you?”

“It’s not like that—”

“Oh, I don’t want to hear it.”

Before I can stop her, she gently guides Grace to the chair and sits her down like royalty.

“What’s your name, darling?”

This is spiraling.

Unless Grace speaks, Mum won’t believe a word I say. And right now, Grace looks like she’s buffering.

I exhale and drop onto the opposite couch.

“I’m Grace, ma’am.”

“Scratch that,” Mum says warmly. “Call me Suzanne.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Can I borrow her for a second?”

Mum narrows her eyes. “So you can scare her off like the others?”

“There are no others,” I shoot back, more like in my defense. “And I’m not scaring anyone.”

“I’d like to speak with him,” Grace says softly. “Ma— I mean… Suzanne.”

Relief slowly loosens something in my chest. Mum studies her for a second, then sighs dramatically. “Fine. If Grace says it’s alright, I’ll allow it.”

She leans closer to Grace and lowers her voice, not low enough because I heard her clearly.

“And darling? If he tries to throw you out like a coward, you tell me. My son is a little… slow witted when it comes to romance.”

“I heard that,” I mutter.

“Good thing you did,” she replies sarcastically.

Grace gives a polite smile and stands. I head toward the hallway, and she follows.

For once, I have no idea what I’m walking into.

MRS. SANTOS

I adjust my glasses as I walk down the corridor. One of the maids hurries toward me.

“Is there anything you need, ma’am?”

“How is Jayden? He’s in bed already?” I ask gently.

“Yes, ma’am. About an hour ago.”

I nod. “Alright. That will be all, Luna. I’ll check on him myself.”

She smiles and leaves.

I know what people whisper, that I’m eccentric for caring so much about a child who isn’t mine.

But… They’re wrong.

Something in my bones tells me Jayden is Dominic’s son. The resemblance is too strong. The same eyes. The same stubborn jaw.

But that son of mine is too proud to see it. If he won’t claim what’s his, I will protect it until he does.

I reach Jayden’s room and open the door quietly. He’s asleep, blankets tangled around him.

I sit beside him and brush a strand of hair from his forehead.

That’s when I feel it.

Heat. It was so strong. My stomach tightens immediately.

I press my palm fully against his forehead. His skin burns under my touch. His breathing is heavier than it should be.

“Jayden?” I whisper.

He doesn’t stir.

A sharp, familiar fear grips my chest, the same fear I felt when Dominic was five and burning with fever.

I stand abruptly. “Someone!” My voice echoes loudly from the room.

A maid quickly rushes toward me.

“Get my phone. Now.” I command urgently before she runs back outside.

I return to Jayden and sit beside him again. His breathing is rougher now. Each inhale sounds strained.

By the time Lucy returns with my phone, my hands are trembling.

I dial Dominic.

He answers quickly. “Hello?”

“Hello, Dom. I need you to come here. Now.” My voice shakes despite my effort to steady it. “It’s Jayden.”

There’s a pause on his end before he responds.

“What happened?”

“He’s burning up. He won’t wake properly.”

His tone changes instantly. “Okay. Listen to me. Take him to the hospital. I’ll meet you there.”

“Alright. I'm leaving now.” my body trembles.

“Drive carefully. I’m on my way.”

Dominic ends the call.

Wilson appears within seconds and carefully lifts Jayden into his arms.

“He’ll be alright, Mrs. Santos. Jayden is a strong boy.” he says, assuring me.

I nod.

But I don’t feel alright. I'm scared.

Minutes later, we arrive at the hospital.

The moment we step into the lobby, a nurse rushes toward us and immediately takes Jayden from Wilson’s arms. She examines him and within seconds she places an oxygen mask over his face.

“I’ll get the doctor,” she says before hurrying away.

The doctor arrives shortly after and begins examining Jayden while the nurses move around him quickly.

“Transfer him to a room,” he instructs.

My chest tightens than before. What of something goes wrong with my Jayden?

“Doctor,” I say carefully, my voice sharper than I intend. “Can you tell me what’s going on with my grandson?”

He exhales slowly, glancing at Jayden again. “We need to run a few urgent tests first.”

“Didn’t you already do that?” I cut in, my patience thinning by the second.

He meets my eyes calmly. “Ma’am, I understand you’re worried. But right now I need to focus on stabilizing him.”

I want to argue again. But stopping him now would be foolish.

So I let him go.

Moments later, Dom bursts through the doors.

“Mom!”

I turn just as he reaches me. Before I can say anything, he pulls me into a tight hug.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my hair.

Only then do I notice Violet standing just behind him. “You’re here too, Violet?”

She nods and steps forward to hug me, but Dominic gently pulls away first.

“What did the doc say?” he asks quickly. “Is Jayden alright?”

Before I can answer, the doctor returns. “Ma’am…”

“No.” Dominic steps forward. “Please speak to me.”

The doctor studies him for a moment, then nods. “I assume you’re the boy’s father.”

Dominic doesn’t answernor try to deny it like he always does. He just listens calmly but I see the change in Violet's face.

The doctor continues. “The child is showing signs of a severe infection. His body is struggling, and he’s losing blood faster than we expected. He needs a transfusion as soon as possible.”

Dominic stiffens. “A transfusion?”

“Yes,” the doctor says. “Preferably from a close family member.”

Dominic turns toward me, confusion flashing across his face. And suddenly the hallway feels too bright as my head starts spinning from headache.

My knees weaken under me as the weight of it all crashes down on me. For a moment, everything goes numb.

Dominic doesn’t notice me swaying. His attention is fixed entirely on the doctor.

“Look, doctor,” he says uneasily, running a hand through his hair. “I’m not his father…”

“How about we run a compatibility test for both of you?” the doctor suggests calmly.

Before Dominic can argue again, Violet steps forward.

“Let them run the test, Dom” she says gently.

She moves closer to Dominic and places a steadying hand on his arm.

“We can figure everything else out later,” she continues. “Right now Jayden needs us.”

That is exactly why I love that girl. She's calm, sensible and compassionate. Everything my stubborn son needs in his life.

Exactly why I’ve always wanted him to marry her.

Dominic hesitates for a moment, the conflict he's feeling inside's clear on his face.

Then finally, he nods.

“Alright.”

The doctor gestures for him to follow, and they head down the corridor together.

I remain where I am, my hands clasped tightly in front of me.

And deep inside, I pray. Please… let their blood match.