Mag-log in(Celesteās POV) The ambulance arrived two minutes later. The paramedics immediately took over while I stepped back, giving them room as the crowd parted around the stretcher. Somewhere behind me, someone started clapping. Others joined in. I walked away before anyone could stop me. A few streets down, I found a quiet stretch of sidewalk and stood there alone. The tightness in my chest had eased slightly. Not because anything in my life had suddenly improved, but because for a few brief minutes, I had been completely useful. Completely present. There had been no room left for fear or despair. And I still refused to believe there was no hope left for a seventeen year old boy. My phone suddenly buzzed in my hand. I looked down at the screen. The hospital. I answered immediately. āHello?ā āMs. Moretti, Iāve been trying to reach you.ā Dr. Ricciās voice sounded fast and almost breathless. āWe received an update from the National Bone Marrow Registry this afternoon. A new dono
(Authorās POV) Vincenzo was in his office when Celeste Morettiās leave request came through. He read it, set it aside, and said nothing. A few minutes later, his phone rang. Matteo, calling from Seoul. āSir, weāve finalized things with the donor on the Korean Bone Marrow Registry side. Weāre at the gate now, about to board. Do you want to tell Ms. Celeste yourself, or should we contact the hospital directly?ā Vincenzo checked the time. āWhen you land, go straight to the hospital,ā he said. āTell the attending physician that a match was identified through the latest update to the donor registry database. Let him be the one to tell her.ā āUnderstood.ā Matteo hung up and turned to the donor standing behind him, a taciturn gentleman. āWeāre ready to board now. Thank you for your patience.ā The donor nodded and followed him toward the gate. Matteo had been with Vincenzo for five years. He had watched him dismantle companies, outmaneuver rivals, and make decisions that left entire
(Authorās POV) Celeste stood slowly. She picked up her bag and smoothed the front of her jacket. āIāll be in touch,ā she said evenly. At the doorway, she paused and glanced back over her shoulder. āOne thing, though.ā Her voice remained calm and controlled. āDonāt mistake my silence for desperation. Thatās a very dangerous habit to bring into a negotiation.ā She left before Tiziana could answer. Over the following days, Celeste buried herself completely in work. She avoided the hospital. She answered emails, reviewed data, ran assays, and forced herself to keep moving forward without stopping long enough to think. Meanwhile, Adelina arrived at Laviniaās apartment carrying a folder. She placed it on the table without ceremony. āSign this,ā she said sharply. āItās a waiver. Celeste relinquishes all claims to the marital assets. Youāll sign on her behalf.ā Lavinia looked down at the documents uncertainly. āAnd Tizianaā¦ā āSheāll donate.ā Adelinaās voice was clipped and imp
(Celeste Morettiās POV)I got back to my apartment a little after seven, dropped my bag near the door, and stood there quietly for a full minute without moving.Then I suddenly remembered that I had never told Vincenzo I was taking the day off.I picked up my phone and checked our last conversation.His final message said he had a business dinner.Mine said I would see him later in the week.I had never followed up after that.He probably assumed I was not coming tonight.I thought about it for a moment before picking up my bag again.The cufflinks were still inside.Butler Alfredo answered the door, and genuine surprise crossed his face when he saw me standing there.āMiss Celeste.āHe stepped aside immediately to let me in.āSignor Vincenzo assumed you would not be coming this evening.āāI know.ā I glanced toward the kitchen. āHas dinner been arranged yet?āāI was about to contact the hotel for delivery.āI smiled slightly and shook my head.āDonāt bother. If there are ingredients h
(Celeste Morettiās POV) Leo reached for my hand slowly. āCeleste.ā His voice sounded weak, rough around the edges from exhaustion, but his grip tightened around my fingers with quiet determination. āThirty percent is still thirty percent. I want to try.ā I looked at him carefully. At the dark shadows beneath his eyes. At the IV line taped against his arm. At the way he carried himself so cautiously now, like even breathing too hard might break something inside him. āNo,ā I said flatly. āCelesteā¦ā āI said no, Luca.ā My voice stayed calm, but every word felt heavy in my chest. āThirty percent means weāre gambling your life on odds that are already stacked against us. Iām not risking you on that.ā He went quiet after that. But he still didnāt let go of my hand. Later, after the doctor left the room and Tiziana finished giving blood for the compatibility testing, Luca waited until Lavinia stepped outside to pace the hallway before speaking again. āYou need to stop this,ā he
(Celeste Morettiās POV) I arrived at the hospital early. Luca was already awake when I stepped into the room, sitting upright against the pillows with a paperback resting on his knee that he clearly hadnāt been reading. He looked slightly better than yesterday. Barely. The color still hadnāt fully returned to his face, but his eyes looked clearer, more alert. Lavinia Conti was already there, occupying the chair beside his bed and talking endlessly. Apparently, she had been talking long before I arrived because the second Luca saw me, he gave me a look. The exact look we had perfected over years of shared suffering. The silent kind that said, save me before I lose my mind. I almost smiled. Setting my bag down quietly, I pulled the other chair closer to the bed. āYou look exhausted,ā Lavinia said immediately, scrutinizing me with concern. āAre you even eating properly? Youāre too thin, Celeste. Youāve always been too thin.ā āIām fine,ā I answered calmly. āYou should be home res







