According to Douglas's explanation, my bone marrow donor years ago was a man who carried the hereditary disease, porphyria, but had not shown any symptoms. Because of this, he passed the hospital blood bank's screening and provided his bone marrow for my transplant.My body produced healthy blood based on the donor's genetic code. As a result, my blood carried the donor's genes.That was why the premarital checkup report showed XY male chromosomes in my blood. Those belonged to the bone marrow donor. Hence, my blood type became type A, which was his blood type.As the bone marrow transplant was a success, my disorder was cured. Hank was accustomed to such situations and never thought to specifically mention that a young woman might carry another person's blood.Mom, of course, never imagined that I could possess genes from anyone other than my parents. The donor's porphyria gene had remained dormant in my body for years until the day I overexerted myself and overate.It triggered
I thought of Mom's final anguished screams. Both Dad and Mom had type O blood, and before my childhood surgery, my blood type had also been O. I couldn't suddenly carry type A blood out of nowhere.Mom must have noticed this. That was why she had shouted in such terror that day and insisted that I was not her daughter. Whether I were a daughter or a son, I could not possibly have type A blood as long as I were their biological child.I hurriedly pressed Douglas about my blood type. He was just about to speak when an anxious nurse rushed over to call him away to save another patient.Seeing my terrified expression, Martin hugged me worriedly. "Don't be afraid. I'm here."Crying uncontrollably in his arms, I said, "My body carries male chromosomes, and I have type A blood that doesn't belong to my parents' bloodline. Who am I really?""You are Taylor," Martin whispered softly, "My cheerful, lively Taylor. You are my fiancee, Taylor."His gentle voice slowly calmed my restless heart
"People nowadays are terrible! How could she lay a hand on an elderly woman!""How can she be so violent? Is it because she has XYY syndrome?""No wonder she looked so familiar. I work at premarital checkups. She's actually a man.""Huh? A cross-dressing guy?""No, it's a genetic disease.""I remember now. Isn't she the one whose mom shouted that she wasn't her daughter before jumping off the building? I saw that news.""Yeah. I remember, too. To think her mom died so tragically. Turns out she has been raising a son all these years.""Her mom was too fragile. Having a son is even better. Why jump at all?"Various slanderous comments about Mom and me appeared on social media. I typed away furiously with trembling hands, trying to defend Mom's reputation. But one individual's effort amounted to nothing against the whole internet. The comments I posted were instantly drowned out by the furious online discussions of strangers.My eyes gradually blurred as I stared at the phone s
After Hank fell into a coma, his mother, Barbara Cohen, came to visit every day, no matter rain or shine, to take care of him meticulously.The nurses pitied Barbara, an elderly woman, for having to make constant hospital rounds. Their tone was heavy with sympathy when they spoke about her or Hank."Dr. Gibson is such a young and promising doctor. He was unfortunate to get into such a situation.""It was just an accident, yet Dr. Gibson had to bear it all. That's far too cruel."The chatting nurses fell silent the moment they saw me standing at the door of the hospital room. They exchanged sighs and quietly walked out. Barbara soon noticed me and asked suspiciously who I was.I began, "I am Dr. Gibson's patient. I want to know what happened during the time when I fainted from abdominal pain…"At the mention of that, Barbara suddenly realized who I was. Her eyes instantly became alert and sharp."Are you the patient my son treated the other day?" she asked.I nodded. Then, Barba
I did not know how I walked out of the office. When I saw the anxious concern in Martin's eyes, my legs suddenly gave way. I collapsed into his arms weakly."Taylor, don't listen to their nonsense. If you're ill, we'll just go to a major hospital for further tests," Martin said reassuringly.I forced back my tears and cautiously gauged Martin's thoughts. With trembling lips, I asked, "If I can't have children, will you still marry me?"This question caught Martin off guard, and he froze in place. His arms that were holding me loosened slightly. Although he did not give a direct reply to my question, I already knew his answer.I bit down hard on my lips and uttered, "Let's break up, Martin."And so, I was alone once again. If what Rowan had said was true, and that an individual with DSD could not bear children, then it was no wonder Mom had broken down and jumped to her death.After Dad died, the only thing keeping her going was seeing me get married and have children. If I could
The moment Rowan finished speaking, the scene of Mom screaming and jumping from the high building flashed once again in my mind."You are not my daughter. Who are you?" My head throbbed as if it were about to split apart. Unable to take it, I clutched my head, hunched over, and screamed.Rowan had not expected such a strong reaction from me. He was at a loss. Upon hearing my scream from the hallway, Martin rushed into the office and held me in his arms to comfort me. "Taylor, it's okay. I'm here."I clung tightly to Martin, and only then did the pain in my heart ease slightly. Martin asked Rowan what had happened. He turned to look at me with concern, unsure whether to speak and answer Martin's question.I instinctively gripped Martin's arm as I started to compose myself. A sudden fear rose inside me. If what the staff member said was true, and if there really was a man inside my body, would Martin abandon me just as Mom had?After taking a deep breath, I gently pushed Martin away