?Chapter 222:


    Suddenly, Jim hurried toward her, his face marked by urgency.


    “Sadie, there’s aplication. There’s something you need to hear.”


    Dread filled Sadie’s heart. “What’s happened, Dr. Archer?”


    Jim paused, evidently searching for the right way to break the news. “The donor… has backed out.”


    “They what?” Disbelief clouded Sadie’s face as her voice climbed in pitch.


    Her ears began to ring, and her surroundings seemed to blur.


    Why now?


    They had been so close to moving forward. What made the donor reconsider at thest minute?


    Sadie’s face lost all color, her lips quivering, but she found herself speechless.


    Averi, sensing her unease, looked up with concern. “What’s wrong, Mommy?”


    Holding back tears, Sadie smiled weakly. “Oh, it’s just a little hup, honey. Mommy will fix it.”


    She led Jim out into the hallway to speak privately, away from Averi’s prying ears.


    “Sadie, I assure you, we’re scrambling to find another donor,” Jim said, trying to soothe her.


    Sadie was desperate and asked, “Could I possibly contact the donor myself? Maybe I could change their mind. We don’t have much time.”


    Jim’s face showed sympathy, but he hesitated. “I’m truly sorry, Sadie. I can’t reveal that information. It’s against our policy.”


    Feeling her legs weaken, Sadie nearly stumbled.


    She expressed her gratitude to Jim, holding onto herposure.


    Feel inspired by gα ?η σ ν?? ??s,


    After steadying herself, she returned to Averi’s room.


    “Mommy, you look sad,” Averi said, his voice full of worry.


    Forcing another smile, Sadie stroked his hair tenderly. “I’m just a bit worn out, my love. Don’t worry.”


    Darkness had enveloped the city, and Averi’s fever had spiked once more. His cheeks radiated a feverish glow, while his small hands gripped Sadie’s shirt tightly.


    “Mom… Pizza…”


    Each word from Averi tugged at Sadie’s heartstrings, filling her with a turbulent mix of worry and fear that clouded her thoughts. She caressed Averi’s hot forehead gently, her voice a calm whisper.


    “Hang in there, Averi. Mommy’s going to get it for you right now.”


    Near the hospital was a pizzeria, and Sadie made her way there swiftly. She bought Averi’s favorite pizza and hurried back, moving quickly and with purpose.


    As she rounded a corner by the hospital’s back garden, she overheard a conversation.


    K and Jordyn were talking nearby.


    Sadie instinctively took cover behind a tree blooming with fragrant flowers.


    “That’s a brilliant n, K! Sadie’s child won’tst much longer,” Jordyn remarked, her voice dripping with vile satisfaction.


    K responded sharply, “Enough! Just take the money and keep quiet.”


    Peering through the tree’s leaves, Sadie watched as K handed over a thick envelope of cash to Jordyn.


    A gleeful smile spread across Jordyn’s face as she took the envelope, nodding repeatedly. “You can trust me, K. I won’t say a word.”


    Sadie pressed her hand to her mouth, muffling any inadvertent noises. A cold shiver ran through her as she realized the gravity of their conversation. She knew she had to get to the bottom of it.


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