She Was Never Just the Billionaire’s Wife (Natasha and Chase) novel Chapter 168

(James)

I take a long breath and look once more at the file open on my desk.

Nathanial's panel sits on top of the stack.

A viable match.

Not an optimal one.

The other panel is underneath it, filed under the false name I gave the lab when she came in.

I’ve looked at it four times this morning.

The numbers haven’t changed. Clarice is Lily’s best option.

I walk to Lily’s room and find Natasha sitting in the chair by the window with her bag clutched in her lap and her face the color of paper.

"Natasha. I’d like to have a word with you in my office please."

Chase looks at me with an inquiring frown.

“It’s best if you stay with Lily, Mr. Warren.”

Natasha follows me down the corridor without a word.

I close the office door behind us.

She doesn’t sit.

She stands in the middle of the room with her bag still in her hands and waits for me to tell her.

"As I already explained when you arrived, Lily needs an urgent transfusion.”

Natasha nods impatiently, probably wondering why I dragged her away from her daughter’s bedside to repeat myself.

She sits down. I think her legs do it for her.

“Yes. Nathanial’s already on his way in. Chase called him as soon as you told us.”

"Nathanial is a viable match but he’s not the best one. Donor medicine is not just about blood type.”

I glance down at the file on my desk again.

“We look at tissue markers, and the closer the match on the markers, the safer the transfusion and the better Lily tolerates it. Nathanial's markers are good. They’re not perfect though."

"But he’s the best chance we have, right?"

"We have a better option."

She looks up with hopeful confusion written all over her face.

I’ve rehearsed this sentence every day since Clarice showed up in my office.

On the drive to work.

During patient meetings.

In the gym.

I haven’t found a good way to say it.

I’m not sure there is one.

I knew this day would come. I just hoped there would be more time.

"I tested another candidate. The match is near-perfect. Better than Nathanial's. Better than anything in the registry."

"Who?"

I could tell her the donor wants to be anonymous.

I should have told Clarice that was an option.

But the secrets in this family have been allowed to fester for far too long.

"Natasha-"

"Who?"

"Nathanial’s mother."

She doesn’t move.

She doesn’t blink.

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