Page 7 of The Russian's Bought Bride

“How long will it take?”

“Several hours,” he says. “You’ll both be under general anesthesia. When you wake up, you’ll be in recovery.”

“When will I know if it worked?”

He hesitates briefly, then murmurs, “Within the first twenty-four hours, we should have a good indication.”

I nod slowly. “I’m ready.”

Am I?

Fear coils in my stomach, feeling cold and oppressive as the weight of it all settles on my shoulders.

This is major surgery, not just a blood donation or a simple procedure. This is dangerous and very unlike anything I’ve done before.

Without warning, something in me recoils at the thought of what I’m about to do, and every doubt comes rushing in at once, demanding my attention.

Closing my eyes, I force the thoughts down and steady myself again.

This is about Dad, not me.

If there’s even a chance this can save him, then I’m taking it. With his life hanging in the balance, I can’t second-guess this. I need to see this through.

“Alright,” the doctor says. “We’ll begin preparing you shortly.”

Time blurs again after that.

I’m changed into a hospital gown, and the thin fabric does nothing to stop the chill creeping over my skin. Machines beep softly around me as they prepare the monitors, tracking my heart rate and oxygen levels.

Each sound feels amplified, and every sensation is sharper while I lie back on the bed as they wheel me down another hallway. Fluorescent lights pass overhead in a steady rhythm while the words linger in my mind:

This is happening…I’m really doing this.

My heart pounds against my ribs, fast and hard.

I’m scared. God, I’m so scared.

But underneath that fear is determination and love that far outweigh it.

I can do this. For him, I know I can do this.

The bright lights of the operating room flood my vision, momentarily blinding me before figures start to move around me. The doctors and nurses all prepare me, keeping me steady while it all unfolds.

Someone places a mask near my face, and their voice reaches me gently. “This will help you relax. Just breathe normally and count down.”

I nod and swallow hard as it’s placed over me, and I pull in a deep breath.

There’s no turning back now.

As the anesthesia starts to take hold, the edges of my vision begin to blur, and the sounds around me fade slightly before it all hits at once.

My last coherent thought before everything goes dark is simple and raw.

Please let this save him.

Chapter 3 - Nikolai

The moment I hear the word donor, I already know.