Page 189 of The One
She’s quiet for a moment, then softly asks, “You can’t understand why your brother would want to give up his life for Ella?”
My fists clench and unclench involuntarily. “No, it’s not that.”
I shake my head, frustration bubbling beneath my skin.
“I get why he needs to save her. I really do. But he’s not thinking clearly. He hasn’t considered all his options. His fear for her is clouding his judgment.”
Mari sighs, her fingers tracing absentminded circles over my heart.
“He feels the pressure of time, Teo. As much as I hate to say it, both Tiero’s and Ella’s time is running out.”
“But they can both make it.” My voice is firm, edged with desperation. “Uberto is close to finding a match. We just need more time.”
She stills. “So… you haven’t called him off like your brother asked you to?”
“Of course not.” The idea alone makes me nauseous. “I won’t cut off the only chance we have of getting them both what they need. Once we have a match, Tiero will see reason.”
Silence stretches between us. Then Mari murmurs, almost to herself, “What a huge coincidence that they have the same blood type, and that their tissues match.” She hesitates, but adds, “It’s as if…”
“It was destined to be?” I finish for her.
She nods, her breath warm against my skin.
I exhale sharply, shaking my head. “I don’t want to believe that.”
I refuse to accept that only one of them can survive.
“We can save them both. And then they can have another chance. Together.”
“But Ella doesn’t want this life. It’s why she ran from your brother,” Mari says gently. “And Tiero, he can’t just walk away.”
I swallow hard. “Why the hell not?”
My voice is barely a whisper, thick with emotion. “It’s better than dying.”
I jolt awake when the phone on the bedside table rings.
No one calls at this hour unless it’s bad news.
Oh God.
Mari is sitting up too, her gaze finding mine. I see the same dread there that’s clamping my heart. Snatching the phone without even checking the display, I hit the accept button.
“Yes,” I bark, bracing myself for the worst.
“Signor De Marco,” Dr. Romolo’s voice comes through the line.
A beat of silence. My heart stops.
“We found a donor.”
I grip the phone tighter, barely hearing the rest of what Dr. Romolo says.
A donor.
A tear slips down my face. Mari’s expression shifts, her brows drawing together.
“What is it?” she whispers, clutching her chest.
