Page 190 of The One
“We have a donor,” I whisper back.
She exhales sharply, her head falling back in pure relief before she throws her arms around me.
“I want to be the one to tell my brother,” I say to Romolo. “I’ll be there soon.”
My exhaustion vanishes, replaced by a rush of hope so intense it makes me lightheaded. I pull Mari closer, laughing, giddy, almost disbelieving.
I kiss her, thoroughly.
This is it. The miracle we’ve been waiting for.
Tiero is sitting up in bed when I get to the hospital an hour later, looking weaker than I’ve ever seen him.
If he’s surprised to see me and Dr. Romolo this early, he doesn’t show it. His eyes meet mine, widening slightly, an unspoken invitation to speak.
I take a breath. “We’ve found lungs for you,” I say. “Will you please reconsider your decision?” My voice is raw, pleading.
He frowns. “How?”
“A twenty-six-year-old man, car accident. It’s all above board.”
His next question is the one I dread.
“What about the heart?”
Doctor Romolo steps in. “It’s not viable, sir.”
I turn back to Tiero, desperate.
“Please,” I whisper. “I will move heaven and earth to find a heart for Ella. Give me a little more time.”
But he shakes his head.
“We don’t have time. She needs one now.”
Turning to the doctor, he says with quiet finality, “Everything will proceed as planned.”
When his gaze meets mine again, regret is written all over his face. “I’m sorry, Teo.”
I can’t breathe.
I want to scream, to shake him, to demand he choose life.
“It would be the worst kind of torture to be given another chance at life, just to watch Ella die,” Tiero says softly after Dr. Romolo leaves the room.
I try again, grasping at anything that might change his mind. “But—”
He shakes his head, firm but gentle.
“My mind is made up. I’m content.” His voice is calm, steady, soothing even. The way he used to talk to me when I was little, right aftermammadied.
The finality of it slams into me like a death sentence. My throat tightens further, my eyes burn, but I force myself to nod.
There’s nothing more I can say.
I turn to leave, but he stops me.
“And, Teo? Ella must never find out I declined. Promise me.”
