Chapter 1
My daughter had rare blood, and the blood bank was running out. My husband urged me, also a carrier of this rare blood, to donate.
As I gave blood, my face turned pale, and the nurse warned me that I had reached the donation limit.
Yet, Jackson Hart gave the blood to his first love’s son first.
“Larissa, you can donate to Mona again in a while, but Andrew needs it immediately.”
When Mona left me, it was a rainy day. She lay in the hospital bed, her body wrapped in bandages, her tearful, bright eyes filled with sorrow.Content © copyrighted by NôvelDrama.Org.
“Mom, will Dad come? I want to hear him tell me a story!”
“Alright, Mona. How about Mom tells you one instead? You can pick any story, and I’ll tell it to you!”
I gently stroked my daughter’s delicate face, heartbroken.
Mona turned her head and blinked at me, her eyes shining like stars.
“Okay. Dad’s busy. He told me I have to be a good and understanding girl.”
A pang hit me deep inside. I hadn’t seen Jackson all day.
Even when Mona had been given a critical condition notice, Jackson hadn’t shown any concern.
Jackson was the CEO of the most prominent pharmaceutical company in New Orleans, and the director of this hospital had been his close friend for many years.
After Mona’s accident, I immediately chose this hospital, hoping that with Jackson’s connections, Mona would receive the best and swiftest care.
I was so naive.
Jackson’s first love, Elaine, also had a son injured in the same chain collision.
The moment Elaine, dressed in a white dress and tearfully clutching Jackson’s sleeve, appeared, Jackson forgot all about Mona.
Apart from the essential meetings, Jackson spent all his time with Elaine and her son.
Every call I made, every tearful breakdown, became evidence of me disrupting Jackson’s time with Elaine and her child.
“Ela is fragile, and this is her only son. He’s lying on a hospital bed, fighting for his life. Can’t you show some compassion?”
“Mona is hurt, yes, but she’s two years older than Andrew and has you by her side. She’ll get through this. Andrew? He only has Ela. How can you be so heartless?”
“Andrew was born when Mona was already two. Stop making wild accusations. I’ve told you, Ela and I are just friends. Why are you being so unreasonable?”
Jackson hung up, leaving me devastated.
It was Mona’s painful moans that brought me back to reality.
“Mom, don’t be sad. Mona’s okay. Once I’m better, we’ll go see Dad.”
My seven–year–old was far too mature for her age. I held her small hand, gently squeezing it, though inside, a tension I couldn’t shake was pulling tighter.
The previous night, after Mona had fallen asleep, I had gone to donate blood. I had felt dizzy and pale by the time the head nurse. firmly told me I couldn’t give anymore and returned me to the room.
After tucking Mona in, I went to the nurses‘ station.
When they saw me, the nurses subtly avoided my gaze, unwilling to meet my eyes.
Inside, it felt like a thousand ants were eating away at me. I grabbed one of the younger nurses.
“Wasn’t the blood supposed to be given to Mona this morning? What happened?”
The young nurse looked at me, puzzled.
“Huh? Wasn’t it for Andrew? They already gave it to that little boy.”
“My daughter is Mona! I gave my blood for my daughter! Why was it given to someone else?”
On the verge of collapse, I shouted through my sobs, attracting a crowd.
“Mona’s mother, it’s hospital policy that blood from close relatives can’t be transfused. There was another boy with the same rare blood type as yours. We are grateful for your selfless contribution to medicine.”
The head nurse bowed deeply, her eyes filled with sympathy.
“But what about my daughter? She’s only seven!”
“I have to find them… I have to find them!”
Consumed by rage, I rushed towards Elaine’s son’s room.
“Mona’s mother, there will be other donors! Please, calm down!”
I ignored the nurse’s attempts to console me, my mind set on confronting them.
That blood was meant to save my daughter’s life! If they had told me earlier that relatives couldn’t donate, I would have immediately found another way. It was obvious Jackson and Elaine had conspired to deceive me and let my Mona die.
Elaine was humming by her son’s bedside when she saw me. She stood up instantly.
“Where’s Jackson? Where are you hiding him? Bring him out here! I need to ask him face–to–face if Mona is still his daughter!”
“Call Jackson over right now! You two planned this together, didn’t you?”
I pointed at Elaine, and she stumbled back in fear.
“Don’t go crazy! You donated willingly; no one tricked you.”
I slapped her, and she fell to the ground, clutching her face, glaring at me.
“I could ignore your sordid affair with Jackson, but if you dare play your games with my daughter, you’ve picked the wrong person!”