"Theoretically, it''s possible, but the match needs to be over ny percent. The risk of rejection is way higher than with a blood rtive," Dr. Brandon said quietly.
"And honestly, the chances of finding that kind of match are even lower than winning the lottery. It''s almost impossible."
Matthew''s brief flicker of hope faded at those words, like someone had poured ice water right over his head.
"Thank you, Dr. Brandon. No matter how unlikely, I have to try," he replied, his voice steady. When he hung up, he realized his palm was slick with sweat.
Reese had been watching him the whole time. She could guess the oue from the look on his face, but she didn''t ask. Instead, she just handed him a ss of water.
Matthew took it, letting the coldness from the cup calm his shaking nerves.
"Reese." He looked up, trying to sound casual. "Dr. Brandon said there''s a chance with a non-rtive donor. I''ll have West reach out to the best bone marrow registries."
Reese''s heart sank a little. She knew how much uncertainty hid behind words like "there''s a chance."
"Matthew, I know you don''t want me to risk anything, but we only have three months. We can''t just wait and hope," she said, her voice soft but determined. "We need to be ready for IVF too."
Matthew''s grip on the cup tightened, the calm look slipping from his face, reced by pure conflict.
"No," he said, his voice firm. "IVF is so hard on your body. I can''t let you go through that just for me."
"What if we find a match? There''s no reason for you to go through that pain if we don''t have to."
Reese stared at him, her heart aching with love and frustration.
"You call that a pointless sacrifice? Matthew, for you, it''s not even a sacrifice. It''s what I want to do.
"I love you. This isn''t just some impulse or because I feel guilty. I really want to spend my life with you." She took a shaky breath, her eyes shining with tears. "Even if you weren''t sick, I''d still want to marry you. I want us to have a child together."
Matthew felt his heart twist. He was overwhelmed, caught somewhere between pain and love strong enough to knock the air out of him.
He knew Reese. Once she set her mind on something, she never backed down.
But watching her take this risk for him felt impossible. He couldn''t let her do it.
"Reese, please, just give me a little more time." He reached for her hand, his voice gentle and pleading. "Give me one month if we don''t find a match in that time, we''ll talk about other options. Please?"
Reese saw the struggle and guilt in his eyes. Her urgency softened. She knew this was the most he could give.
"Okay," she said quietly, nodding. "But you have to promise me you won''t keep anything from me. I want to know everything, no matter what."
A month. That was enough time for her to finally put Sebastian behind her.
"Okay," Matthew said, feeling a warmth in his chest. He nodded, meaning it. "I promise."
He reached up, gently brushing a tear from her cheek. The touch of his fingers made her heart skip.
Sunlight streamed through the window, spilling over their joined hands, wrapping them in a soft, golden glow.
Only the two of them knew how much fear and uncertainty hid behind that warm light.
Later that afternoon, West grabbed Matthew''s medical records and hurried over to the biggest bone marrow registry in the country.
ет
Matthewy in his hospital bed, endlessly scrolling and refreshing the group chat on his phone. Every time he heard a message notification, his heart tightened.
Reese sat on the sofa nearby, pretending to read through her paperwork, but she kept ncing up to check on him.
She noticed the tense set of his jaw, the stress hidden in his eyes, but she didn''t push him.
She knew what he needed right now wasn''t pressure. He just needed someone to believe in him.
The hours slipped by. The sun set, and the room filled with a warm, golden light.
Finally, a message came from West "Initial screeningplete. No suitable donors yet. I''ve reached out to three more registries and will start searching them tomorrow.