Chapter 17 What Did You Want

‘Bone marrow?’ Alexia stood there in shock, body frozen.

So the whole reason Chaim moved back and got close to her was for her bone marrow?

Alexia’s head spun and she collapsed. Her eyes glazed and she couldn’t focus on anything as she struggled to breathe. The tray and cups fell to ground with a terrific crash, but Alexia barely heard it.

Chaim’s expression changed immediately at the ruckus. “Who’s out there!”

Realizing what happened, Assistant Chiao glanced at Chaim before hurrying over to open the door.

Alexia was sitting in the doorway, staring at the ground and surrounded by a mess of shattered mugs and hot coffee, her thin shoulders trembling as if she was crying.

“Alex… No, Ms. White, why are you here?” Assistant Chiao asked as he gave her an embarrassed and forced smile.

Alexia ignored Assistant Chiao, instead looking up to stare past him at Chaim sitting at his desk, her pale face stained with tears. The pain in Alexia’s eyes made Chaim feel things he didn’t expect.

“Chiao, leave us!” Chaim ordered, gesturing to Assistant Chiao.

Assistant Chiao was more than happy to oblige and grabbed his briefcase before showing himself out.

Chaim got up from his desk and walked toward Alexia, glancing down at the mess on the ground. “I’m assuming you heard us?”

Alexia dug her nails into her palms as she choked out, “Why? Why do you treat me like this?”

“I’m sorry.” Chaim said, concern flickering in his eyes.

His apology made Alexia feel even worse. She pulled her knees up to her chest and her body wracked with sobs as she let everything out.

Chaim reached out his hand, reaching toward her to help pull her up. However, at seeing her crying so hard, he decided against it and put his hand back into his pocket, balling it into a fist.

Not knowing how much time went by, Alexia’s sobs gradually subsided.

“Since you now know, I won’t hide it from you. Alexia, I need your bone marrow.”

Alexia’s body shook as she fought back tears before asking bitterly, “So… are you suddenly back because of my bone marrow?”

“Yes.” Chaim looked in the eye and spat out the reply.

He didn’t want to lie to her, nor to himself.

If anyone else had the right bone marrow for Eve, there’s a chance Chaim would never have seen Alexia again.

“Of course…” Alexia stood up and stared at him with red eyes, “I should have guessed that. You never pay attention to me, why else would you suddenly appear without a purpose?”

Chaim opened his mouth to reply, but thought better of it.

Alexia wiped eyes with her sleeve, “Who is Evelyn?”

If she had heard correctly, he wanted to use her bone marrow to save a woman named Evelyn. She had to be very important to him.

“She is my…” Chaim lowered his eyes, hiding his emotions, “she’s a friend.”

“Friend?” Alexia repeated, and laughed sourly, “Is she really just a friend?”

What kind of friend made him scheme against his wife?

“Alexia, what do you mean? You don’t believe me?” Chaim said, frowning.

Chaim still cared about Evelyn, but it was impossible to be with her in her condition.

“I honestly don’t know what to believe.”

Knowing Chaim was angry because of her doubts, she shook her head and waved hands as she explained, “I’ve just had never heard of you having female friends around. I don’t know much about you at all really.”

“I know how to behave myself around others. You needn’t worry” Chaim said, squinting at her.

Was he reassuring her? Just the thought of him caring enough to do so caused a smile to play on her lips.

“Come here.” Chaim said, turning toward his desk.

Alexia clenched her fists to help keep her calm and hurried to follow him.

Chaim pulled open the drawer of his desk, took out a document, and pushed it face down toward Alexia. “Read this.”

Alexia flipped the document over and her breath caught in her throat. “Bone marrow donation consent?”

“Read the rest.”

“… Okay.” Alexia forced herself to read on.

After reading the rest, Alexia returned the document to Chaim, and blinked as she tried to understand everything. “So, Ms. Evelyn was diagnosed with a middle to late stage of leukemia?”

“Yes, and only by using your bone marrow to replace Eve’s will she have a 60% chance of beating the Leukemia and entering remission.” Chaim said, clenching his fists while his tone was filled with undisguised worries.

Alexia bit her lip sourly. “Why mine though?”

Eve, that was quite an affectionate name. He only called her Aily in front of Grandpa Lancaster and her mom.

“Because yours is the most suitable.”

“Mine?” Alexia wrinkled her nose in astonishment. “But I don’t remember any bone marrow matching being done. How did you find out?”

“The pre-marital medical examination.” Chaim pulled out a chair and sat down casually. “Nathaniel selected you when screening the genetic archives at the hospital. Your bone marrow was the highest match.”

“No wonder.” Alexia laughed bitterly.

Chaim sat in silence for a few seconds. “I’m sorry. It’s my fault. I should have told you at the beginning.”

Alexia shook her head, saying nothing.

Chaim sighed. “I know you’re uncomfortable with this, but I hope you will agree to donate your bone marrow all the same. Eve is still waiting for it to save her life. I will give you whatever you want after the surgery.”

“If I want you to promise we can become like a proper husband and wife after, would you be willing too?” Alexia asked, looking at him with a glint of hope in her eyes.