Chapter 1

A flicker of hesitation crossed the nurse’s face.

“I’m sorry, sir. That’s against hospital policy.”

I reached out and slipped the form from beneath her hand, my expression composed and concerned.

“I saw my wife’s signature listed as family. If it happens to be a relative, it would only be reasonable for me, as her husband, to take a look.”

The nurse glanced at Ethan’s checkup report and relented.

“Third floor. Room 312.”

“Thank you.” I nodded, lifted Ethan into my arms, and turned away.

The elevator rose slowly, its mirrored walls reflecting the tension etched across my face.

Ethan rested against my shoulder, his small arms looped around my neck, his warm breath brushing my ear.

“Dad,” he asked softly, “that matching test… is it a bad thing?”

My arms tightened around him.

At five years old, he did not understand what kidney donor matching truly meant, but he heard the strain beneath the adults’ voices.

“Yes.”

I heard my own voice—steady, almost frighteningly calm.

“Someone who loves you would never ask you to do that.”

“Then why did Mom want me to?”

The elevator chimed as it reached the third floor.

I lowered my gaze to meet Ethan’s clear eyes and tried to force a smile, but the muscles at the corners of my mouth felt rigid.

“Let’s take a look and find out.”

The corridor smelled faintly of disinfectant.

Room 312 stood at the end of the hall, its door slightly ajar.

I was about to push it open when a man in a light gray shirt stepped out first.

I took one look and knew he was exactly the type Serena Vaughn would like—clean-cut, composed, carrying himself with quiet steadiness.

“And you are?” he asked.

His eyes swept quickly over Ethan in my arms, and his expression shifted.

“I’m Serena’s husband, Lucas Drake,” I said evenly.

“I came to see how my wife managed to sign herself as a family member to your child.”

A nurse pushed a treatment cart past us in the hallway, and several family members chatted nearby.

The man’s face changed again.

“So you’re my cousin-in-law.”

He adjusted his expression swiftly and offered a cautious smile.

“I’m James Carter. Serena is my distant cousin.

“My son and I came up from our hometown for treatment. We didn’t know anyone here, so Serena helped us out a little…”

“Is that so?”

I gave no sign of belief and stepped past him into the room.

I did not believe Serena possessed that kind of kindness.

A little boy lay in a hospital bed, about seven or eight years old, reading a comic book.

He looked one or two years older than Ethan.

At the sound of movement, he raised his head.

In that instant, my breath caught.

The straight bridge of his nose and those eyes were identical to Serena’s.

“Dad, who are they?” the boy asked, his voice bright and clear.