I've Been There Before

“What … do you mean?” Payne was surprised. Grace turned around. He quickly grabbed her arm tightly and said, “Did you really find a donor?”

He stared at Grace nervously. Grace lowered her eyes when noticed Payne’s nervousness, anxiety, and hope.

The hope of survival.

She smiled and answered, “Yes, I did. You won’t die.”

Pulling his hand away, she seemed to have made up her mind.

When she walked to the door….

She smiled at him. He would never forget that smile.

“Payne, stay strong and enjoy your life.”

Then, the door was closed.

Payne didn’t even have time to say “thank you”.

The next moment, he called Mrs. James excitedly, “Mom, I’m saved! I won’t die!”

He was overjoyed.

Mrs. James couldn’t believe it. She kept asking, “Really? Who is so kind?

I must show my thanks to the donor.

I’ll call your ruthless sister. She actually refused to save you!

Even a stranger was willing to do it.

She should be guilty!”

Payne blushed. He said with embarrassment, “Mom, don’t do that. Grace found the donor for me.”

Mrs. James was surprised at first. Then she said, “Whatever. She is not the doctor. She found a donor for you just because she doesn’t want to donate her own bone marrow.

Do you think she did this for you?

She did this for herself.”

Payne’s face turned even redder. “Mom, I’m tired. I must hang up now.”

Not long after, his attending doctor came and told him that he could have a bone marrow transplant.

Payne hesitated for a moment, but he didn’t ask who the donor was.

The doctor only said, “You’re lucky. From today onwards, I’ll prescribe antibiotics for you as preoperative preparation. You have to take this. After your body indexes return to normal, I’ll arrange an operation for you.”

The doctor added, “I need to talk to your family. The result would come out one month after the operation.”

…

you sure you want

kidney, medically speaking, can still live.” The nurse

a kidney usually have poorer health and can’t lift heavy things. They would easily get exhausted and

know those symptoms

regenerate bone marrow. The bone marrow

to five days in a row.

your condition is

of hematopoietic stem cells is not entirely safe. There is still a small risk. Although it is small, it

condition

sure you’re going

take responsibility for any consequences.” She picked up the pen and signed her name on the donation letter—Grace Shaw, the name on her ID

James?”

said indifferently, “My grandfather’s surname is James. I

The nurse was puzzled….

…

Grace returned home, she saw a

leave, but she resisted the urge to leave and walked to him.

She said slowly.

dark eyes. “OK,” he said in a

you call

“You broke your words first. You agreed to let me think about it,

Why was he here?

he

He didn’t deny that.

still dark,

“Where did you go?”

an ordinary

her pockets and said calmly, “I didn’t go anywhere. I just had afternoon tea

“Oh … I see.”

was implication in his words. But she

head and told herself not to be worried. He must be busy with work at that time.

going

and noticed that she did not take out the

promised to leave me alone for some time. Is

at her. “Alright, I’ll

around and walked into the elevator, staring at

to be there for me for the rest of your life,” he said sadly in

suddenly trembled, and

lifetime is too long. I’m not sure,” murmured she. However, the elevator door had closed. She took out her keys and opened the door. Walking into the dark room, she felt like

She was aware of the dangers of bone marrow donation. Even the risk

marrow was her

entirely on

hadn’t dared to take the risk before for many

that the James Group was on the right track, grandfather’s efforts would not

the James was not ruined in her hands. She didn’t let her late grandfather down.

decision to find a bone marrow donor for her brother.

her mind when she

said that Payne would take charge