Page 57 of Dreams and Desires

As I drive to the hospital, thoughts spin chaotically—Jacob’s condition, Juniper’s reaction, and the possibility that she might be the one person who can save her brother’s life.

When I reach thehospital, I head straight to Jacob’s room. Dominique is by his side, her hand resting gently on his. Thank God his parents aren’t here. I can’t stand them.

Jacob looks pale, his face gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes. Dominique is fussing over him, adjusting his blanket, smoothing his hair, her movements filled with a tenderness that leaves no doubt that she has feelings for him.

I clear my throat, attempting a casual tone despite the palpable tension in the room. “How are you holding up, Jacob?”

He looks up, and I can see how weak he is from the last time I saw him two weeks ago. “Trying to hang in there,” He says, while his expression is hard and tired.

“You’ll get through this, Jacob. I know you will.” I say it earnestly.

Jacob looks away, unable to meet my gaze.

Dominique turns to me, her face is lined with concern. “Jacob’s condition is deteriorating. We need to find a donor quickly. He can’t keep going like this.”

I nod firmly, my resolve strengthening. “We’ll find a match. We’ll start with testing Juniper. Aren’t siblings usually the best match?”

Jacob’s eyes flicker with concern, and he reaches out, grabbing my arm with surprising strength. “Don’t push her, Zade. She’s been through enough already.”

“I know,” I say in a low tone. “But you are her brother. She’ll want to help.”

Jacob sighs, his grip loosening as he sinks back into the pillows. “Just... don’t make her do anything she doesn’t want to do, okay? She’s had a hard life, and I don’t want her to suffer more because of me.”

I promise him I won’t, but inside, I’m already steeling myself for the battle ahead. Juniper might be angry, and she might be hurt, but I can’t let her stay isolated, not when her brother’s life is on the line.

I leave the hospital, knowing the difficult conversation I need to have with Juniper. When I arrive, the place looks just as quiet and lonely as when I left it.

I knock on the door, waiting for her to answer. When she finally opens it, she looks at me with wary eyes, like she’s expecting bad news. And she’s not wrong.

“Zade, what do you want?” She asks, her voice sharp and her posture defensive.

“Juniper, we need to talk,” I say, trying to keep my tone gentle but firm. “It’s about Jacob.”

Her eyes widen with alarm, and she steps back, letting me into the cabin. “What’s happened? Is he okay?”

“He’s not okay,” I admit, watching as her face pales. “He’s really sick, Juniper. He needs a kidney transplant, and Dominique thinks you might be a match.”

As soon as the words leave my mouth, I see the panic wash over Juniper's face. Her eyes widen, and she looks like she’s just been hit with a ton of bricks. She stumbles back, her hand flying to her mouth as she grapples with my words.

“My brother needs me.” She whispers, her voice trembling with fear and desperation. “A kidney transplant? Oh my God, I have to be there. Take me to him, please, Zade. Please.”

She’s frantic now, her breath coming in short, quick gasps as she wraps her arms around herself like she’s trying to hold herself together. Her hands are shaking, and there’s a wild look in her eyes, like she’s about to break down any second.

“Juniper, take a deep breath,” I say gently, reaching out to steady her, but she jerks away, pacing back and forth in the small cabin.

“No, I need to go,” she insists, her voice rising in pitch. “I need to be with Jacob. He needs me. I have to help him. Please, Zade, take me to him.”

I watch her, and it’s like the walls she’s built around herself are crumbling right in front of me. She’s not the strong, tough woman I’ve come to know—she’s just a sister who’s terrified of losing her brother. And the love she has for Jacob, the pure, desperate love, is written all over her face.

“Juniper, we’ll get you to him,” I promise. “But you need to calm down, okay? He’s in the hospital, and they’re taking care of him. We’ll go right now, but you need to breathe.”

She stops pacing and looks at me, her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t lose him, Zade. He’s all I have.”

Without another word, I guide her out of the cabin, keeping a hand on her back as we walk to the car. She’s like a tightly wound spring, ready to snap at any moment.

As we drive, Juniper stares out the window, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. I can tell she’s lost in her thoughts; her worry for Jacob is consuming her.

Chapter Thirty

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