Chapter 3
I forced myself to run to Mona’s bedside, clutching her cold hand as large tears fell from my eyes.
Thankfully, the blood transfusion from the other supply finally arrived, and after receiving it, she showed some improvement.
I sat by her bedside, watching her frail body lying there, her face pale. Doctors and nurses crowded around her, and it felt like my heart was being pierced by a thousand needles.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Jackson standing silently, guilt in his eyes. He couldn’t even look at me and turned to leave the room.
I rushed toward him, grabbing his sleeve with all my strength.
“You heartless monster! If anything happens to Mona, I’ll never forgive you!”
Jackson took two steps back, violently shaking my hand off.
“She’ll be fine. Stop making a scene–do l have no dignity?”
“Close relatives can’t donate blood! You and Elaine know that better than anyone! It wasn’t enough that you saved her bastard child–you nearly killed my daughter by giving her O–negative blood! Isn’t Mona your child too?”
My voice broke with tears, but Jackson just turned and left, his sleeve slipping through my fingers.
Watching him walk away, my heart shattered into pieces.
I stayed by Mona’s side, alone, until two hours later, she finally opened her eyes.
“Mom, will I be okay?”
I grasped her tiny hand, forcing myself to hold back the tears.
“Of course, silly girl. It’s just a few scratches. Once you’re out of the hospital, I’ll take you to see the ocean.”
“Will Dad come with us? I miss him.”
I couldn’t respond. Tears I could no longer control spilled down my cheeks.
I knew that if she didn’t get more blood soon, she’d be gone forever. But the supply we had wouldn’t last, and there was still no word from the donors we’d contacted.
“Mom, am I really going to be okay? I asked the nurses, but none of them will tell me.”
“Am I dying? I’m so tired, and everything hurts… Will I become a fairy when I die? I want to stay with you and Dad forever.”
Outside, the wind howled, followed by torrential rain. My heart, too, was being battered by a storm.
“My sweet Mona, you’ve been so brave. You’re going to be fine.”
Mona shook her head gently.
“The nurse said a little boy got blood and got better. But no one’s giving me any blood. I won’t get better.”
“Don’t think like that, darling. Someone will give you blood, we just have to wait a little longer. I’ll figure it out. Don’t be afraid.”
Suddenly, with a strength I didn’t know she had, Mona sat up and wrapped her thin arms around my neck, placing a soft kiss on my cheek.
“Mom, don’t cry. I’ll stay with you forever.”
“Can you ask Dad to tell me a story when he has time? I really, really want to hear one.”
“Mom…”
Mona’s tears fell like pearls, one by one.
“I want some candy. Can you get me some?”
“Alright, but you have to wait for me to come back.”
“Okay.”
I went out to buy the candy, but when I returned, Mona was lying in bed, her face ashen, one hand hanging limply over the side.
Her eyes were open, but they had lost focus.
“Help! Someone help my daughter! Somebody, please!”
“Is anyone there? A nurse, anyone!”
I screamed with all my might, frantically pressing the call button.
A group of doctors and nurses rushed into the room, but I couldn’t hold on any longer. Darkness overtook me, and I collapsed.