Todos os capítulos de Exposed At The Altar: Capítulo 41 - Capítulo 47

CLARA’S POV The morning smelled faintly of antiseptic, coffee, and the stale chill of early February. I dragged myself out of bed, hair messy, and shoulders heavier than I remembered, though I was still trying to pretend they weren’t. Every small movement felt like it had weight; every breath reminded me that this wasn’t just fatigue anymore. This was chemotherapy. I tried not to look at the calendar on my wall. Too many dates, too many appointments, too many needles. Each one felt like a countdown I didn’t want to acknowledge. The chemo nurse called it “routine” like saying that would make it easier to swallow. I didn’t swallow. The ride to the hospital was quiet. Daniel drove slower than usual, which I appreciated. He didn’t talk much, but I could feel the tension in his shoulders. I stared out the window, tracing the bare branches of trees, imagining them as the white veins inside me, fragile but still reaching, still holding life. When we got there, the waiting room felt big

The house was quiet the morning after.Daniel had already left for the hospital before I came downstairs. He sent a short message.We need to finalize the schedule today.That was it.No long speech or paragraph.I ate half a slice of toast and couldn’t finish it. The baby shifted once, slow and it felt heavy. Thirty-one weeks felt different. Every movement was stronger now. More real.By ten, I was at the hospital.Dr. Menon didn’t waste time.“We’ve reviewed everything again,” she said. “You’re still the strongest match.”“I know.”“We’ll need additional fetal monitoring before and after the procedure.”“That’s fine.”“There’s risk of preterm contractions.”“I understand.”“There’s risk related to anesthesia.”“I’ve read it.”She looked at me carefully. “You’re certain.”“Yes.”“Your husband agreed?”“He doesn’t like it. But yes.”She nodded. “We’re scheduling the marrow harvest for Friday morning.”“That soon?”“Yes. The sooner the better.”“Okay.”“You’ll be admitted the night bef

Lina’s POVI did not tell anyone.Not Daniel.Not Maya.Not even Clara.Some decisions cannot survive other people’s voices.If I told Daniel, he would stop me.If I told Maya, she would ask questions.If I told Clara, she would refuse the transplant.So the only way this could happen was if no one knew until it was already done.I sat in the car outside the hospital parking lot for almost ten minutes before starting the engine. My phone rested on the passenger seat beside me.Three missed calls from Daniel.I ignored them.He had been calling more since the doctor warned about the pregnancy complications. He was worried. Protective. Constantly asking if I was resting, if the baby was moving, if I needed anything.Every time he spoke about the baby, something inside me twisted.Because he believed that child was safe.And I was about to destroy that belief.I picked up my phone and dialed the number Doctor Menon had written down for me earlier.A different clinic.A different doctor.