Early the next morning, Quentin, with bloodshot eyes, was awakened by the ringing of his phone. He had barely slept the previous night.
“Mr. Holland, Miss Janessa has woken up. You can come visit her now,” the director said on the other end of the line. Quentin bought some of Janessa’s favorite fruits on his way to Springfield Hospital.
He hurried to Janessa’s room, where Charlotte’s family was already present.
“Janessa.” Quentin felt a wave of relief wash over him as he approached his daughter and gently touched her small face.
“Daddy, you’re here.” Janessa’s face lit up with a smile when she saw Quentin.
“Yes, Daddy is always here.”
Quentin peeled an orange and fed it to Janessa piece by piece.
“Daddy, when will Janessa get better? I want to go to kindergarten and play with my friends,” Janessa asked expectantly.
“Be a good girl, Janessa. You’ll get better soon, and Daddy will take you to school,” Quentin replied, feeling a pang of sorrow. It would still take time to find a matching bone marrow for her treatment.
“Hehe, okay. Daddy promised not to leave me. We haven’t even pinky-sworn yet,” Janessa said, extending her little finger. Quentin held back his sadness and linked pinkies with her.
“Be good, Janessa. Listen to the doctors, eat well, and rest. Daddy needs to step out for a bit,” Quentin gently comforted her before heading to the director’s office.
“Mr. Holland, you’re here!” The director greeted Quentin with a respectful bow and offered him a seat.
Quentin sat down and lit a cigarette, taking a deep drag.
“How is my daughter’s condition now?” Quentin asked gravely.
“Miss Janessa’s condition is stable for now, but we need to find a matching bone marrow as soon as possible to cure her,” the director explained in detail.
“We are doing everything we can to find it,” he added.
“Once you find it, no matter the conditions, agree to them and notify me immediately,” Quentin said calmly.
“Rest assured, Mr. Holland. I will do my utmost,” the director promised.
Leaving the director’s office, Quentin returned to Janessa’s room and saw Riya there.
It had been a while since he last saw her. Riya’s jet-black hair fell in natural waves over her shoulders. Her clear, bright eyes, arched eyebrows, long eyelashes that fluttered slightly, and flawless fair skin with a hint of pink gave her an alluring charm. Her delicate lips were as tender as rose petals, exuding mature elegance.
“Riya, why are you here?” Quentin asked.
“Quentin, I noticed Janessa wasn’t around when I dropped Aubree off at school today.”
“So I called Charlotte and just found out about Janessa’s condition. I’m sorry I didn’t know earlier.”
“If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know,” Riya said with concern. After all, Janessa was one of Aubree’s best friends.
“Thank you, Riya. Right now, we just need to find a matching bone marrow for Janessa as soon as possible.”
“I’ll do everything I can on that front. You don’t need to worry too much,” Quentin replied.
Seeing Quentin so worried made Riya feel heartache too. He had helped her so much, yet she felt helpless now.
“Charlotte, your company keeps you so busy. Let me help take care of Janessa for these days,” Riya offered to the distressed Charlotte. Charlotte looked pale and exhausted, with traces of tears still visible on her face.
“It’s okay, Riya. Now that the company is running smoothly, I can delegate work to my subordinates.”
“With Janessa in this condition, how can I not be by her side?” Charlotte sighed helplessly, gently stroking the sleeping Janessa’s innocent face, feeling as if her heart was being torn apart.
Given Janessa’s situation, all she could do was accompany and care for her while waiting for news from the hospital.
Riya empathized deeply with Charlotte. As a mother herself, she understood Charlotte’s feelings perfectly.
At that moment, Charlotte’s phone rang. It was Nash calling.
“Hello, Nash? What’s up?”
“Charlotte, I’m at Striudan Hospital in Ofrustol City.”
“I’ve found a matching bone marrow for Janessa! Bring her here quickly!”
Nash’s excitement was palpable over the phone. Everyone was stunned-was there hope for Janessa?!
Had Nash succeeded so quickly?