Chapter 5

Chapter 5

~ Mirabella ~

Two hours later, I sat in the doctor’s office, my foot tapping anxiously against the tiled floor while Theo played quietly beside me, twisting the small teddy bear in his hands.

Ethan had agreed to come in for the test. He was currently waiting outside, unaware of Theo’s presence—and I preferred to keep it that way. At least until we were sure.

“Mum?” Theo’s soft, hesitant voice pulled me from my spiraling thoughts. I turned to him quickly.

“Yes, baby?” I leaned forward, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my eyes.

His gaze stayed distant, more focused on the bear than on me—but I was used to that. “Why are we here? You said no more hospital visits.”

I pressed a kiss to his forehead, voice gentle. “We’re only here for a few minutes, okay? I just need to grab something.”

He finally looked at me. For a moment, those blue-brown eyes locked onto mine with an innocent hope that squeezed my heart so tightly I almost forgot how to breathe.

“I… I wanna go back to Switch…”

He trailed off, confusion flickering in his tone before his eyes dropped back to the bear. His bottom lip trembled slightly, then he bit it in frustration.

I smiled through the ache and ruffled his hair. “Switzerland. It’s okay, baby—you’re learning.”

He didn’t respond. Just blinked and continued twisting the teddy in impossible directions.

The door opened.

I stood in reflex, pulling Theo instinctively close. He clung to me, turning his face away from the man who entered.

The doctor looked to be in his late thirties, with warm eyes and chestnut brown hair. “Miss Carter,” he greeted with a professional smile. “Apologies for the delay. I had to review Dr. Gareth’s report on Theo. I’m Dr. Jimmy—I’ll be overseeing your case until Dr. Gareth begins work here.”

I nodded, gripping the edge of the chair with one hand while the other curled protectively around Theo.

“Are the results out?” I asked, voice barely steady.

“They are.”

He set the files down, taking his seat across from us.

“It’s a match.”

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The world tilted and then narrowed to this single, impossibly beautiful truth.

Tears blurred my vision, then spilled down my cheeks as I clutched Theo tightly, whispering over and over into his hair, “You’re fine… You’re finally fine, sweetheart…”

Dr. Jimmy watched quietly, respectfully. “I’ve informed Mr. Robert. I’d advise you to speak with him.”

I wiped my tears, pulling back. “The surgery—has it been scheduled?”

Dr. Jimmy hesitated, then shook his head. “No.”

The air stilled. “What?” I blinked. “Why not?”

He gave a tight smile, unwilling to meet my gaze. “It’s not my place to say.”

Panic coiled in my chest like a noose. We had a match. We had time. What is going wrong now?

I turned to Theo, gently smoothing his curls. “Wait here, baby.”

I kissed his forehead and stood, my pulse racing as I strode toward the door—

And nearly collided with Ethan, who had been standing right outside.

He looked both relieved and confused as his eyes landed on me. I quickly shut the door behind me before he could glance inside at Theo.

“Mirabella.”

“Why aren’t you signing the documents?” I cut him off, my voice sharp with urgency. “Don’t care much about your company anymore?”

Ethan ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “Let me see him… please… let me see my son,” he pleaded. “Then I’ll explain—then we can talk.”

“No.” My answer was instant, unwavering. “Why won’t you sign the papers?”

He clenched his jaw, fists tightening at his sides. For a second, he was silent. Then he finally spoke.

“I can’t. I want to, but… we’re divorced. I don’t have the—”

“You don’t have what?!” I snapped, cutting in before he could finish.

“I found this place, Mirabella!” he burst out. His voice echoed in the hallway, then died down into thick silence as we stared at each other, both breathing hard.

“What?” I whispered, my brows furrowing in confusion.

Ethan exhaled sharply, gesturing around the hospital. “I found this place. I’m a major shareholder, which means every decision I make is scrutinized. If I sign those documents as an outsider, it won’t just be a signature—it’ll be a legal disaster. The board will block it, and if I push it, it could take weeks. Months, even.”

His voice dropped, strained and almost desperate. “Our son doesn’t have that kind of time. I’d sign in a heartbeat if I could, but right now… I legally can’t.”

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to stay even. “So you can’t?”

“Not unless you’re ready to wait months for legal permissions.”

“I don’t have months, Ethan,” I hissed, my voice trembling. “Theo is dying.”

He dragged both hands through his hair, pacing a step away before turning back. “Mirabella, hospitals don’t just take organs or bone marrow from anyone, even if they’re a match. There are protocols. Legalities. And for me, it’s even messier.”

“Messier how?” I folded my arms, fire crackling beneath my skin. “You’re his father, Ethan. That should be enough.”

“No. It’s not,” he said quietly, then louder, and harsher, “Because legally, I’m not his father.”

His words hit like a slap. My arms dropped.

“You took him away. Changed his last name. Removed me from everything,” he continued, voice tight. “There’s no legal record tying me to him anymore. As far as the system’s concerned, I’m just a man with compatible DNA, not his guardian. Not even a relative.”

He gestured toward the hospital’s hallway. “And because I’m a major shareholder, everything I do is under a microscope. If I sign this without the proper legal channels, it could trigger lawsuits, investigations—delays Theo can’t afford. It’s not easier because I’m his father—it’s harder.”

I blinked rapidly, trying to process it all. “So… what’s going to happen now?” My voice cracked. “You think they’d really care—”

“They will,” he cut in, a bitter laugh escaping him. “You really think the media won’t spin this? That the board won’t panic? That this won’t blow back on both of us?” His voice dropped. “One accusation of coercion, favoritism, malpractice—it’s over. For both companies. And Theo’s surgery gets postponed indefinitely.”

I stared at him, my throat tightening. “So that’s a no, Ethan?”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, expression unreadable. Then he looked at me—really looked at me.

“There’s only one way, Mirabella.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Which is?”

He lifted his chin. “Marry me, Mirabella Carter.”