Max couldn’t stay still. He kept walking back and forth, clutching his head. Every now and then, he sighed, hoping the pressure in the chest would ease. Unfortunately, the fear in his mind became clearer.
“Max,” Gabriella sighed as she couldn’t bear to see her husband’s restlessness.
Hearing the woman’s soft voice, the man finally changed the direction and stopped in his wife’s arms.
“What should I do, Gaby? I still have a lot to talk with Dad. I haven’t told him about our Little Prince, or said thank you. I’ve only hugged him for a minute,” Max whispered, spilling anxiety.
Receiving such a confession, the woman’s brows furrowed deeper. Gently, she rubbed her husband’s back.
“Let’s just pray that he will survive, Max,” Gabriella said in a low voice. The woman didn’t know if her words were of any use, but she couldn’t stand still.
“I should have come to see him earlier, Gaby. It wouldn’t be this bad,” the man regretted as he closed his eyes.
Not knowing what to say, Gabriella fell silent. She could only calm her husband through her touch.
“Mr. Herbert’s family?”
In just an instant, all eyes were on a doctor who had just come out of the room.
“How is my father, Doc?” Julian asked as he was closest to the door.
“His condition is getting worse. If Mr. Evans doesn’t get a transplant soon, I’m afraid he won’t survive.”
“Then just do it. I’m willing to be a donor,” Max said volunteering.
Instead of being supportive, the elder brother sighed, “But Dad doesn’t want to have a transplant, Max.”
“Should we let him die?” Max yelled with tightly clenched fists. He really didn’t understand Julian’s way of thinking.
Not wanting the atmosphere to become more tense, Gabriella spoke up. “Is transplantation dangerous for the donor, Doc?” she asked, pouring out the anxiety that had been suppressed by her.
“You don’t have to worry, Madam. Liver is an organ that can grow back into its original shape. So, sharing liver with others won’t have a big impact. Donors just need time to rest,” the doctor explained while nodding reassuringly.
“Then,” Gabriella said, turning to her husband, “just do it. Your father needs a second chance.”
“But, I have to remind about the risks that can occur. There is a possibility that the patient’s body will experience rejection of the newly accepted liver.”
“If we don’t do the transplant, my father will have no hope, right?” Max asked sternly.
“Right,” the white-coated man nodded.
“Please do the transplant, Doc,” Max said determinedly. “So, the hope for my father to survive will be greater.”
After noticing the determination of the prospective donor, the doctor looked at Julian. “Do you mind, Sir? We can’t do the transplant if a family member refuses. You must be one voice.”
Receiving such a question, Julian suddenly lowered his head. He just realized that being obedient was not always right. After sighing heavily, the man said, “He has the right to decide, Doc. I can only support it.”
Having the decision, the doctor nodded and turned to Max. “Well then, you should do a medical and psychological evaluation first. If the results meet the requirements, the transplant can be done.”
Seeing a glimmer of hope, a slight weight was lifted from Max’s heart. Only after showing his wife a stiff smile and getting a nod did the man thank the doctor.
“Hold on, Dad. We still have a lot of unfinished business,” Max thought before closing his eyes and praying.
***
“Isn’t the liver very great?” Gabriella said while playing her fingers on Max’s shoulder. The man who was lying staring at the ceiling, raised an eyebrow. Thoroughly, he examined the face under his chin.
“Why?”
“It can turn back to its size, as the doctor explained,” the woman said, looking up.
A second later, the man smiled and kissed his wife’s forehead. “Yes. Liver can repair itself,” he mumbled, confirming.
“Are you afraid?” Gabriella whispered with furrowed brows.
At the sudden question, the man’s eyes narrowed. “Why do I need to be scared?”
“Your body will be sliced open, then your liver will be cut. Aren’t you afraid?”
Seeing worry on Gabriella’s face, Max raised the corners of his lips. “Absolutely not. I do the right thing. God will protect me.”
“But I’m afraid,” the woman sighed as she rested her head on Max’s shoulder.
“Calm down, Gaby. Everything will go smoothly. Besides, you’re too early to worry about that. I still have a medical evaluation to go through,” Max said before widening his eyes. “You can’t possibly expect that my medical evaluation isn’t suitable to be a donor, can you?”
Hearing the accusation, Gabriella’s head automatically straightened. “Of course not. I’m not that bad. Just scared,” she argued with pursed lips.
Seeing his wife’s adorable expression, a small laugh escaped Max’s mouth. “Yes, I know. Just kidding, Gaby.”
“Okay, that’s enough. Don’t talk too much. You need to rest a lot if you want the evaluation results as expected.”
“Okay,” Max said with still curling lips.
As the couple searched for a more comfortable position, a cell phone on the table suddenly rang. With furrowed brows, the man reached out to grab it.
“Why does Julian call?” he muttered before answering. “What’s the matter, Julian?”
“Have you slept?”
“Of course not. If so, how can I talk to you?” Max said in an annoyed tone. He wondered why the elder brother was so stupid.
Unexpectedly, a sigh of laughter rang out from the other side of the phone. “Sorry to bother you. I can’t calm down if I haven’t said it.”
A second later, there was a sudden silence. Gabriella was busy noticing her husband’s expression, while the man was quiet waiting for further explanation from his brother.
“I just reflected on my attitude and it turns out, you’re right. I’m really bad. I shouldn’t be such a coward. In fact, I don’t even dare to make up my own mind.”
A moment later, Julian’s quick sigh was heard. “If only I have dared to decide on the transplant earlier, or apologized to you without waiting for Mia’s insistence, your father’s condition wouldn’t be this bad.”
Knowing his brother’s regret, Max exhaled faintly. “Are you calling just to pour out your heart? I don’t have time for your whiny nature.”
“Wait a minute, Max. I’m not done yet,” Julian said in a pitiful voice. “I want to apologize for considering myself as Herbert’s son. When the doctor asked me about the final decision, I felt uncomfortable. I just realized that I had absolutely no right to determine your father’s fate.”
“Your father, your father, your father. Can’t you be polite to the person who raised you? That call is not only addressed to the person who has given you his gene. What’s wrong with thinking that my dad is your dad too? You stupid! Now, enough. I’m going to bed!”
Shortly after, the call was cut off. Knowing that Max still considered him a brother, Julian’s feelings were again sliced by regret. For the umpteenth time, the man collected tears.
“Max is right. I’m a crybaby,” Julian regretted before looking down to lament his weakness. “What should I do to become strong?”
While Julian was busy contemplating, a cell phone that had been left with him, flickered. Unfortunately, the man did not turn his head at all. Even until he fell asleep, the calls still came.
Herbert’s black cell phone just stopped blinking when a short message came. “Pay or die.” But, after a few seconds, the phone screen turned black again.