Chapter 4

On the way to the hospice, my phone, which should have been off, vibrated persistently, like crazy.

It was Julian, who had somehow found a satellite phone and called the driver's spare phone directly.

I hesitated, but answered.

As soon as the call connected, his voice, unprecedentedly urgent and suppressing rage, came through.

"Clara! What are you doing?! What's all this about?!"

"Serena developed a post-op infection, her condition is critical, and she urgently needs a granulocyte transfusion!"

His voice was laced with undisguised panic and helplessness, yet he didn't ask me a single question about my willingness.

"You're the only match for her in the entire database! Clara, you need to get to the hospital. Now!"

I was utterly drained from a fresh cycle of chemotherapy, each breath tinged with the metallic taste of blood.

My primary doctor had warned me in the most severe tone that, given my current physical condition, any form of blood donation or component transfusion could directly lead to immune system collapse and acute organ failure.

It would be equivalent to suicide.

Leaning against the car seat, I used almost every ounce of strength I had to force out a few words from my raw throat.

"I... I don't feel well. I can't go."

On the other end of the line, Julian's voice rose sharply, even tinged with incredulous anger.

Yes, when had I ever refused him?

"What could possibly be wrong with you? It's just a little blood donation! Don't be so dramatic!"

"Have you considered the impact on the hospital's reputation and my project if anything happens to Serena?"

"Clara, I know you're jealous of Serena's success... but don't throw a tantrum at a time like this. This is a human life we're talking about!"

Listening to his self-righteous roar, I suddenly found it incredibly laughable.

Serena's life is a life, and mine isn't?

After the ultimate despair, came an absurd calm.

I couldn't help but let out a low laugh.

"Fine, Dr. Vance."

"But you might need to send someone over quickly."

I paused, feeling my life force slowly draining away from my body.

"I'm afraid... I might not last until you get here."

"Otherwise, once I'm dead, the blood won't be fresh anymore."