Every Second Counts

Charlotte lay pale and still on the hospital bed. IV fluids ran steadily, antibiotics dripped from the bag, and her small hand twitched slightly in Alina's. Alina adjusted the blanket and checked the monitors again, her heart racing even as her mind ran through every possibility.

"Just a little longer, sweetheart," she whispered. "You're safe now. We'll get through this."

Every flicker of her eyelids, every small shiver kept Alina alert. Her dual role was clear: mother and doctor. Each vital sign was a clue; every number on the monitor a warning. She assessed the rising fever, the weakness, the red spots, and considered potential complications.

Nathaniel stood close, eyes wide as he watched everything.

“Mom… why isn’t her blood working?” he asked softly.

Alina knelt beside him, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. "Her body is having trouble making healthy blood. Some cells are too low, some too high. That’s why she’s so weak and sick."

He frowned. "So… we need to help her right now?"

"Yes," Alina said, voice gentle but firm. "And we’re doing everything we can."

Nathaniel's sharp little mind kicked in. "We need to keep her hydrated, make sure she’s warm, and watch the monitors."

Alina smiled, proud. "Exactly. You’re already helping, Nate.

Minutes later, Felicia returned with the new blood panel results. Alina scanned them instantly. Her chest tightened.

White blood cells: 200,000 — extremely high

Hemoglobin: 6.8 g/dL — dangerously low

Platelets: critically low

Abnormal markers consistent with acute leukemia

Her mind raced: stabilize first, transfusion if hemoglobin drops further, antibiotics, and supportive care.

She looked down at Charlotte, fragile and trusting. The hospital had the medicine and monitoring, but her rare blood type was a problem. Local blood banks had no immediate match.

Alina pressed her hand to her daughter’s, forcing her panic down. Every second mattered. The IV dripped steadily, antibiotics ran, and Charlotte rested in temporary calm.

She turned to Nathaniel. “Nate, stay close and calm. We have doctors here helping her.”

His eyes searched hers, worry mixed with trust. "I understand, Mom. I’ll watch and help."

Alina’s gaze flicked to Charlotte’s chart again. The rare blood type glared back at her. She turned to Regina, voice low but urgent.

"Regina, I need to book a ticket to Atheria. I have to leave immediately."

Regina raised an eyebrow. "Atheria? But… why? We’ve stabilized her here."

Alina exhaled, rubbing her forehead. "The hospital has no blood that matches her. I need a donor, fast. No matter the past… Charlotte’s life comes first."

Regina softened. "So you’re reaching out for a transfusion from someone there?"

Alina’s jaw tightened. "I haven’t called Adam yet, but I have to, now. He can search every hospital and every Evert family resource for a donor. If that fails… I’ll do it myself. Every second counts."

Nathaniel had been listening quietly. “Mom… you’re leaving?”

"I have to travel to Atheria for a donor," Alina said carefully. "I can’t explain everything now, but I need you to stay here with Agnes and Wilfred. Watch over your sister too."

His eyes darkened with worry, but he nodded. "I understand. Be careful… and hurry."

Alina pressed a hand to his shoulder. "I will, Nate. Regina, please keep a close eye on Charlotte while I’m gone."

"I’ll stay right here," Regina said firmly.

Alina gave one last glance at Charlotte’s small hand gripping hers. "Hold on, my love. I’ll bring help. Just wait for me."

Regina watched her, tense. "Are you sure about this?"

Alina met her gaze, unwavering. "I have no choice. If Charlotte's life depends on it, I'll do whatever it takes. Even if it means facing him."

As she left the room, Nathaniel watched her go, worry in his eyes but understanding shining through. He didn’t need words, he knew she was doing everything to save his sister.

The city blurred past as the cab raced to the airport. Her mind ran ahead: Charlotte’s vitals, the transfusion, the doctors waiting. And in the back of her mind, the one person whose blood could save her daughter.

If she had to face Sebastian, nothing would ever be the same.

Alina stepped off the plane, chest tight but face calm. Atheria stretched out before her, familiar yet distant, every second pressing like a weight. Adam was already there, a car waiting.

“Alina,” he said quietly. “Is it bad?”

She nodded. “Very. She needs a transfusion, and her blood type is rare. I don’t have time.”

Adam’s grip on the wheel tightened as he drove. “We’ll find someone. Hospitals, blood banks, private lists. But… do you want the Vaughn's involved?”

Alina’s jaw tightened. "Sebastian doesn’t know about the twins yet. If I must risk everything, I will. I can’t wait."

Adam nodded. “I’ll handle the search. You focus on her.”

Alina pressed her forehead against the window, city lights blurring. "Every minute counts. We have to find the right blood. It’s the only way."

The hospital loomed ahead. Lights cutting through the evening haze. Charlotte was counting on her, and there was no room for error.

“We’ll move fast,” Adam said firmly. “Let’s get to the hospital and start calling.”

Her mind raced. Every minute mattered.

“Let’s go,” she said. “Time isn’t waiting.”

At the same moment across the city, John’s phone buzzed with an airport alert. Alina Hart. Back in Atheria.

Sebastian’s office was quiet, skyline glowing behind him. John approached, urgency in his posture.

"Sir," he said, controlled but serious, "you need to see this." He swiped the screen: Alina Hart, arriving in Atheria.

Sebastian’s eyes narrowed. “Alina… here? With him?”

"Dr. Adam Evert," John reported. "He picked her up at the airport. They went straight to Atheria Medical Hospital. Sources say they’re contacting blood donors through private channels, anyone who might be a match."

Sebastian’s jaw tightened. “Blood donors?” His voice was low but sharp with concern.

John nodded. "Yes, sir. The urgency is clear. If she's moving this quickly, it's serious. I thought you should know right away."

Sebastian paced. "Keep tracking them. No detail too small, who they contact, where they go, every call they make."

"Understood, sir," John said, tapping the tablet.

Sebastian’s eyes stayed fixed on the screen long after John left.

Alina Hart was back. And something was terribly wrong.