Chapter 383

He never expected Reese to have feelings for him. The source of this content ɪs
For as long as he could remember, he thought she just saw him as someone to lean on, a friend she could count on, a partner by her side. It never even crossed his mind that she might want something more.
The happiness that hit him was like a tidal wave. He could barely breathe, the joy was so big it almost hurt.
But underneath that rush, the guilt and conflict crept back in, deeper than ever.
“Reese, thank you,” Matthew said, his voice catching. “Hearing you say that… I don’t even know how to describe it. I’m so happy I can hardly think straight.”
He looked at her, his eyes growing serious. “But I can’t let myself be selfish. I can’t ask you to take such a huge risk just to have a baby for me. I can’t let you give up your future because of me.
“There has to be another way to treat this. I’ll find something. I promise.”
Reese stared at him, torn between anger and worry. “Matthew, this is the only way we know. Are you seriously just going to sit there and wait to die?”
“That’s not what I mean,” Matthew said quietly, squeezing her hand. His voice was soft, but his determination was clear. “I just can’t let you make that kind of sacrifice for me.
“Please trust me. I’ll figure something else out.”
He grabbed his phone from the nightstand and, even though Reese tried to stop him, he called West’s supervisor anyway.
The call connected quickly. The voice on the other end was old but lively. “Matthew? How are you doing?”
“Dr. Brandon, I’m okay,” Matthew said, trying to keep his nerves steady. “I wanted
to ask… is there any other way to treat my condition, besides a stem cell
transplant from a blood relative?”
There was a pause before Dr.
Brandon answered. “Matthew, your situation is complicated. Hereditary genetic diseases are very hard to cure Right now the stem cell transplant from a blood relative is the most effective treatment. Honestly, it’s the only reabcure we have.”
Matthew’s face went pale. A wave of hopelessness swept over him, but he refused to give in. “Really? There’s nothing else? Not even a way to ease the symptoms for white… or just buy more time?”.
“There are ways to manage it for a short period,” Dr. Brandon said, “but they don’t last. As your illness gets
worse those treatments still
working. Sooner or later, you
have to face the worst of it.
“And your genetic defect is severe. Even temporary treatments wouldn’t hold for long.”
Matthew’s hand shook as he held the phone. He looked lost, the fight in his eyes flickering in and out.
Was this really the only choice?
Did he really have to let Reese throw away so much for him?
“Dr. Brandon, is there honestly nothing else?” Matthew’s voice was quiet, but the desperation was clear.
Dr. Brandon went silent for a long time. “Matthew, I wish I could do more. Your condition is very rare, and medicine just isn’t there yet. There’s no better option for you right now.”
“Unless, by some miracle, we find a stem cell match with an extremely high compatibility. It doesn’t have to be a blood relative, but the odds are tiny. Almost impossible.”
A tiny spark of hope flickered in Matthew’s chest. “So… you’re saying there’s a chance, even if the donor isn’t family?”