Chapter 1 For My Sake, Donate Your Bone Marrow

Annie Steward was sleeping soundly at 2:00 am when the mattress dipped slightly beside her. A cool breath brushed over her skin before she could even open her eyes. A faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mixed with a trace of bitterness from medication. It was the unmistakable scent belonging to Sean Frost. Annie's body relaxed instantly. Still half-asleep, she burrowed into his arms and asked drowsily, "What took you so long?" "I got called in for an emergency surgery." Sean's voice was rough with fatigue, yet his actions remained gentle. He leaned down to plant kisses on her forehead and cheek gently, as if he was handling a precious gem. Annie felt her heart soften as she basked in the familiar warmth, and drowsiness washed over her once again. Just as she was about to drift back to sleep, Sean's deep voice cut through the quiet night. "Cecilia isn't doing too well, Annie. You should follow me to the hospital tomorrow. Come and donate bone marrow again." Cecilia Lambert was one of his leukemia patients. She had an extremely rare blood type—RH negative. For two years, no match could be found in the whole of Jynston. Annie was the only one who could save her, so she'd gone anonymously every time. She thought it was worth it if her small sacrifice could help someone else live. Besides, with her husband as the attending physician, she couldn't bear to watch her loved one be worried sick over a patient. A few days ago, Annie would've agreed without hesitation. But now, she subconsciously reached for her still-flat stomach and rested her hand there. Her cheeks warmed as she said, "Sean, I don't think I'm fit for it with my current condition." Annie's words had barely left her mouth when Sean sat up abruptly. Startled by his sudden movement, she looked up in a daze and met his eyes. Gone was the tenderness from moments ago. His usually warm gaze had turned sharp and icy. "Why aren't you fit for it?" Annie had never seen Sean like this. For a moment, she was at a loss of words. His tone hardened further when she didn't answer. "Now isn't the time to throw childish tantrums, Annie. Cecilia is in a critical condition right now. All the pre-operative preparations are ready now. Can you take responsibility for it if anything happens just because you pulled out suddenly?" Grievance surged in Annie's chest as she faced his accusations. Her eyes turned misty, and she clenched her fists tight. She said in a trembling voice, "I'm just an ordinary person. I have no obligation to save anyone. It's my choice whether I wish to donate or not, so why should I be the one held responsible?" Sean's expression turned colder with every word she spoke. Eventually, an unfamiliar look of disappointment was all that was left on his face. "I never thought you could be so selfish and cruel, Annie." He took in a deep breath and massaged his temples. "There's a lot riding on Cecilia's surgery. As her attending physician, my reputation and future would be affected if something happens to her. Are you really going to ruin my future just because of your willfulness?" The bedroom fell utterly silent, the air thick with the sounds of their unsteady breathing. After a while, Sean suddenly raised his hand. His warm palm cupped Annie's cheek as he softened his tone. "I'm sorry, Annie. I'm exhausted today, so my emotions got the better of me. I didn't mean to snap at you. Just do this one last bone marrow donation, okay?" His thumb brushed against her jaw as he coaxed softly, "Just do it for me, will you?" Annie bit down on her lip hard until the metallic tang of blood filled her mouth. Bitterness spread from the tip of her tongue down to the deepest part of her chest, eventually dissolving into a wordless surrender. She closed her eyes and gave the smallest nod. "Alright." … Early the next morning, Annie followed Sean to Jynston General Hospital. Busy with rounds and pre-operative preparations, he left her with the nurses after hurriedly telling them to take her for the required examinations. Annie quietly complied with a series of pre-donation examinations. Just after her blood was drawn, a sharp cramp suddenly twisted through her lower abdomen. Clutching her stomach, she walked toward the restroom at the end of the hallway, her face drained of colour. The moment Annie slipped into a cubicle and locked up, she heard footsteps from outside, followed by voices of two young nurses. Their tones were laced with sympathy as they said, "Oh, I just saw Dr. Frost's wife. She's probably here to donate bone marrow again." "Again? Hasn't it been two years? Honestly, that woman is truly pitiful." Annie's hand froze on the cubicle door.