“We need to find a match. Quickly.” Isabella collapsed into the chair, a wave of deep exhaustion washing over her.

What was she supposed to do now?

“Please, start with the registry search,” she forced out, her voice hoarse and strained.

The doctor gave a sympathetic nod.

Seeing such a young mother, so weary and anxious, stirred a deep sense of pity within him.

Isabella returned to Liam’s hospital room and pushed the door open.

Liam lay on the bed, his complexion pale and delicate.

Lucas was sitting beside him, holding a storybook, though his eyes weren’t really reading the words. His expression was etched with deep concern. At the sound of the door, he looked up and immediately stood when he saw Isabella.

“You’re back,” he said softly.

Isabella managed a weak smile and walked to the bedside, gently stroking Liam’s cheek.

Lucas noticed the test report in her hand. He took it and quickly scanned the contents. His face lost all color as the full weight of the diagnosis settled in. He understood exactly what it meant.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A bone marrow transplant was essential.

His gaze met Isabella’s, filled with a complex swirl of emotions. “Isabella, I will do absolutely everything in my power to find a matching donor.”

Tears threatened to spill from Isabella’s eyes, but she fought them back fiercely.

“I’ve caused you so much trouble, Lucas,” she whispered, a bitter taste filling her mouth.

She knew she could never truly repay his kindness in this lifetime.

Lucas offered a weak, reassuring smile, keeping his tone deliberately light. “Please, don’t say that. We’re friends.” He glanced toward Liam, sleeping peacefully in the hospital bed. “I should go now. You need to take care of yourself. Try to get some rest.”

Isabella simply nodded, too overwhelmed to form any words.

Lucas turned and left, closing the door softly behind him.

The tears Isabella had been holding back finally broke free, streaming silently down her cheeks.

Later that afternoon, the shrill ring of her phone shattered the heavy silence of the ward.

Exhausted, Isabella answered the call. The screen displayed the name “Sophia.”

“Isabella, the design drafts for Eternal Promise require immediate revisions. You need to return to the office at once,” Sophia demanded, her voice sharp.

Isabella was stunned by the command.

Liam was still in his hospital bed; leaving him was unthinkable. “I can’t come in right now. I’ll have one of my senior designers from the studio handle the revisions.”

“The collaboration isn’t finalized, and you think it’s appropriate to send a subordinate in your place?” Sophia’s tone was cutting, dripping with pure disdain.

Isabella clenched her fists, swallowing the anger that rose within her. “There were no objections when I submitted the drafts. Now, a full week later, you suddenly demand revisions? Miss Reed, this request is completely unreasonable.”

“You…” Sophia was so furious she could barely speak. “You will regret this, Isabella Scott. Mark my words!”

“Miss Reed, I will address the design draft issue as soon as I am able. But right now, my only priority is my son, here in this hospital.”

A long, tense silence followed. Then Sophia’s voice returned, oozing with malice. “Fine, Isabella. Just you wait.”

The call ended abruptly, the sharp beeps echoing loudly in the quiet room.

Utterly drained, Isabella slumped against the side of the bed, her phone slipping from her numb fingers.

She was absolutely certain Sophia would not let this go easily.