004

Mirabella

Two hours later, I sat in the doctor’s office. My foot tapped 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 certain.

“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 did not quite reach my eyes.

His gaze stayed distant, more focused on the toy 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, my voice gentle. “We are 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 is okay, baby. You are learning.”

He did not respond but just blinked and continued twisting the teddy in impossible directions.

I stood by reflex as the door showed signs of cracking open, 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 am Dr. Jimmy. I will 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 my son.

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

“They are.” He set the files down, taking his seat across from us. “It is a match.”

For a moment, I could not breathe. The world tilted and then narrowed to this single, incredibly beautiful truth.

Tears blurred my vision, then spilled down my cheeks as I clutched Theo tightly. I whispered over and over into his hair, “You are fine. You are finally fine, sweetheart.”

Dr. Jimmy watched quietly and respectfully. “I have informed Mr. Robert. I would 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 seemed to still. “What?” I blinked. “Why not?”

He gave a tight smile, unwilling to meet my gaze. “It is 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.

I 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. “Do you not care 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 will explain. Then we can talk.”

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

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

“I cannot. I want to, but we are 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 a 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 am 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 will be a legal disaster. The board will block it, and if I push it, it could take weeks. Months, even.”

His voice dropped, sounding strained and almost desperate. “Our son does not have that kind of time. I would sign in a heartbeat if I could, but right now, I legally cannot.”

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

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

“I do not 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 do not just take organs or bone marrow from anyone, even if they are a match. There are protocols. Legalities. And for me, it is even messier.”

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

“No. It is not,” he said quietly, then louder and harsher, “Because legally, I am not his father.”

His words hit me like a slap. My arms dropped tiredly.

“You took him away. You changed his last name. You removed me from everything,” he continued, his voice tight with anger or pity, I couldn't tell. “There is no legal record tying me to him anymore. As far as the system is concerned, I am just a man with compatible DNA, not his guardian. Not even a relative.”

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

I blinked rapidly, trying to process it all. “So, what is going to happen now?” My voice cracked. “You think they would 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, or malpractice, and it is over. For both companies. And Theo’s surgery gets postponed indefinitely.”

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

He shoved his hands into his pockets, his expression unreadable. Then he looked at me, really looked at me. “There is only one way, Mirabella.”

I narrowed my eyes. “Which is?”

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