Chapter_35
Tyler’s gaze remained fixed on Olivia as she was ushered away by the doctors and nurses, her figure slowly disappearing into the hall. His mind was racing, filled with a mixture of concern for Naomi and an unexpected sense of protectiveness for Olivia. He couldn’t shake the feeling that he was asking her to take on something far too heavy for someone as young as her.
“Is there a risk involved?” Tyler had asked the doctor earlier, his voice quiet but heavy with tension.
“We can only try and see,” the doctor had replied, the words hanging in the air with uncertainty.
Tyler’s expression darkened at that. He didn’t like the ambiguity of the situation, especially when Naomi’s life was on the line. Every minute that passed seemed like an eternity.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed in the corridor just then, and Darren and Mrs. Jones arrived at the hospital, visibly anxious. Mrs. Jones had overheard the doctor’s conversation and, unable to hold back her emotions, rushed to his side. She grabbed his hand desperately, her face streaked with tears.
“Doctor, I’ve contacted her sister to come. Start the blood transfusion as soon as she arrives,” she pleaded, her voice trembling.
Darren nodded in agreement. “Yes, she’s on her way.”
Tyler raised an eyebrow. “Did you guys talk to her about it?”
Mrs. Jones’s answer came quickly, almost without hesitation. “There’s no need to ask her. She’ll definitely do it for Naomi.” Her voice held a note of certainty, though it was laced with the weight of the situation.
Darren, trying to remain calm, added, “No matter what, our priority now is to save Naomi. Taking the risk is better than her life being at risk.”
The doctor nodded somberly, “We might need a lot of blood from her.”
Mrs. Jones’s expression softened with concern but didn’t waver in resolve. “That’s fine. Just proceed with it, we can discuss the rest later.”
Tyler’s brow furrowed in hesitation, but he didn’t voice any objections. He simply stood silently, his gaze distant, clearly preoccupied with the severity of Naomi’s condition.
As if on cue, Olivia arrived, and she immediately locked eyes with her father and Mrs. Jones. Seeing them standing alongside Tyler made her heart race with anxiety. She rushed to them, her voice filled with worry. “Aunt, Dad, is Naomi going to be okay?”
Mrs. Jones’s face was crumpled in desperation. She grabbed Olivia’s hands tightly, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Olivia, Naomi needs blood, and the blood bank doesn’t have her type. You have to save her!”
Olivia froze. Her breath caught in her throat as the gravity of the situation hit her. She looked to the doctor for confirmation, her mind swirling with a thousand thoughts.
The doctor, seeing her uncertainty, stepped forward and asked gently, “Are you willing to donate blood? It’s a significant amount, and it could affect your health.”
Olivia stood there, motionless, unsure of how to respond. Her heart was pounding, her thoughts in a blur. She glanced at her father, at Mrs. Jones, and then her eyes finally found Tyler’s. There was a long silence before Tyler spoke.
“Take your time to think about it,” he advised, his voice softer than usual, as if giving her space to make her decision.
Olivia took a deep breath, her mind still reeling from the weight of the decision. After what felt like an eternity, she finally said, “I’ll do it!”
Tyler blinked in surprise, taken aback by how quickly she responded. He had expected her to hesitate, to consider the risks more carefully. But there she was, determined, ready to help.
Mrs. Jones, sensing Olivia’s resolve, smiled through her tears. “Olivia is young, Tyler. Donating blood won’t harm her. She can handle it.”
Olivia’s heart raced with fear, but she stood firm. “Our priority is saving Naomi,” she said, her voice almost too quiet.
Tyler’s eyes softened, but he kept his emotions in check. He nodded, his gaze lingering on her for a moment longer. “Alright,” he said quietly, “go.”
The nurses and doctor quickly ushered Olivia away, but before she was out of sight, Tyler called her name.
“Olivia.”
She turned to face him, and he walked toward her, his expression serious. His voice was low as he said, “If you can’t handle it, tell the doctor.”
Olivia nodded instinctively, though she didn’t know if she could handle it. She hadn’t been given a chance to truly think it through. But Naomi needed her, and she couldn’t let her down.
Tyler watched her disappear down the hall, his face unreadable. He stood there, his brow furrowed, torn between his concern for Naomi and a growing protectiveness for Olivia. It wasn’t lost on him how much she was willing to give for Naomi—and how much she was risking in the process.