Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 23

My mother's eyes filled with tears again.

It seemed she had calmed down from the anger she'd felt that day.

She silently wiped her eyes without saying a word.

"Child, every mother loves her daughter. If I hadn't been so furious with you back then, I would never have..."

I sneered, interrupting her.

"Just say whether you'll let her get tested or not. I'll arrange for the check-up."

My mother was choked for a moment, lowering her head awkwardly.

"... I'll donate."

"Do you agree to Yuna donating too?"

My mother clutched her chest, her voice trembling.

"... Yes."

"Now you're not worried about the risk, of losing both your children?"

My mother covered her face with her hands, tears silently streaming through her fingers.

I gathered my thoughts and returned to the office, where the mentor had already arrived.

As soon as I entered, several colleagues surrounded me.

Yogurt, nuts, and snacks quickly piled up on my desk.

"South, keeping a happy mood is key to a healthy baby."

"Yeah, don't let annoying people or things get to you, or else you won't have a beautiful baby."

"South, hug us! We'll always love you."

My eyes slightly moistened, and the heavy air from the hospital room seemed to dissipate somewhat.

The mentor walked over and tossed a stack of materials onto my desk.

"Stop just eating, do some work too, or else you'll have trouble with a natural birth."

The office fell silent, and the atmosphere eased.

The East family's test results were already known to my colleagues.

One of them muttered, "Seems like karma—none of them are a match."

Despite this result, the East family didn't give up and went to another hospital for a recheck.

When the results came back, we met them in the elevator again.

My mother, who usually lived a life of luxury, seemed to have aged ten years. Her shoulders slumped, and her eye sockets were sunken.

When she saw me enter the elevator, her eyes suddenly brightened.

After a brief hesitation, she mustered up the courage to speak to me.

"... South."

I didn't respond.

"South, you... How have you been lately?"

I turned around.

After Sean withdrew the announcement, someone quickly chimed in.

"What's going on? Is Sean calming down? It's only been a few days, and he's already taking down the announcement about cutting ties!"

"Yeah, how big of a grudge could there be in a family? Once they've talked things over, it's fine."

Sean posted a few embarrassed emojis, not denying the teasing.

Then he spoke.

"I didn't ask clearly and was too impulsive."

"There's no risk in donating bone marrow, it's just like giving blood."

"What harm can donating two vials of blood do? I've heard it even benefits your health!"

No one responded.

After a moment, my second aunt sent three huge question marks.

"???Wasn't it you who said there was a big risk, and that you'd cut ties? Now you're saying it's good for health?"

"Sean, isn't it just a matter of your mouth? You've changed your tune just like that!"

My uncle, always the one who stirs the pot, added,

"Yeah, Sean, are you feeling sorry for the kids now? Trying to convince us to donate bone marrow? Before, you kept saying it was risky and that your family wouldn't take responsibility, so we didn't dare to donate!"

Sean stayed silent for quite a while.

Seeing that the show couldn't go on, my mother, who had never spoken in the group, finally stepped in to support him.