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 want

one kidney, medically speaking, can still live.” The nurse in charge explained

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

know those symptoms

body can regenerate bone marrow. The bone marrow is like

Before donating, you need to be injected with growth factor for four to five days in a row. We will

your condition

entirely safe. There is still a small risk. Although it is small, it can’t be ignored.

your condition is

are you sure you’re going to

picked up the pen and signed her name on the donation letter—Grace Shaw, the name on her

your surname James?” The

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

The nurse was puzzled….

…

she saw a man at the

and leave, but she resisted the urge to leave and walked to him. “I know you have called

She said slowly.

his dark eyes. “OK,” he said in a

you call

said, “You broke your words first. You agreed to

Why was he here?

he bothered

He didn’t deny that.

still dark,

“Where did you go?”

was an

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

“Oh … I see.”

was implication in his words. But she

not to be worried. He must be busy with work at that time. He couldn’t know where she had been and what

you not going to invite

raised his eyebrows and noticed that she did not

to leave me alone

squinted as he looked at her. “Alright, I’ll give

turned around and walked into the elevator,

I just want you to be there for me for the rest of your life,” he said

trembled, and she lowered

the elevator door had closed. She took out her keys and opened the door. Walking

marrow donation. Even the risk should have been small, it might not be the case for her because of her

bone marrow

entirely

to take the

right track, grandfather’s efforts would

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

to find a bone marrow donor for her brother. If

made up her mind when she returned from

Payne would take charge of