Chapter 217

"Paisy, what's wrong with Serena?" Maria's voice cracked, her eyes wide as she saw the blood drain from Paisley's face. Paisley's trembling hands clutched Serena's wrist. "Jonathan, she's bleeding internally. She needs help, now."

Jonathan’s gaze hardened. He’d tried waking Serena earlier; she’d barely flickered. "Emergency! Hemorrhagic shock!" He scooped Serena from Maria's arms and sprinted for the ER.

A crash cart materialized; they whisked Serena away. The bustling ER fell silent. Fear hung heavy in the air. One minute, Serena was laughing; the next, she was fighting for her life. Even Lauren, mid-rant, froze, recoiling at the sight of Serena's pale face. A wave of guilt washed over her. Had she delayed Paisley, costing precious time? All she’d wanted was for Paisley to be a better mother to Sonny.

Grayson tugged at Lauren's sleeve. "Grandma, will Serena be okay?"

Lauren shook her head, her gaze glued to the receding gurney. Paisley trailed behind, consumed by regret. She’d been working too much, neglecting Serena's desperate need. Every cheerful phone call, every "Goodbye, Mommy," now echoed with devastating irony.

Max’s hand rested on Paisley’s shoulder. "Serena will be okay," he murmured.

Dominick watched, a bitter taste in his mouth. He couldn't help but care. He couldn’t ignore the raw emotion in the room. Maria, beside Serena, whispered her name again and again, unheard.

"It's my fault," Paisley sobbed. "I should have seen it. The shivering, the tiredness...taking her to that restaurant...Serena, my Serena..."

Jonathan stopped her at the ER door. "Paisy, you need to step back. I'll update you."

"Please," she whispered, "take care of her."

"Got it," he said, then turned. "She'll need a transfusion. What's her blood type?"

Paisley froze, glancing at Dominick, then at the Vanderbilts. "Type A!" Dominick blurted, frowning at her hesitation. "You told me yourself, at Nathaniel's club!"

Max's gaze flickered to Dominick, unreadable. Jonathan, surprised, nodded. Then Paisley spoke, stopping Jonathan as he entered the ER.

"Type O," she corrected, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jonathan's eyebrows shot up. "Are you sure? This is critical."

"I'm sure," Paisley insisted, drained but resolute. She'd hidden Serena's paternity, cut ties with the Vanderbilts, but never expected this.

The truth hit Dominick like a physical blow. "Type O?"

"Type O," Paisley confirmed.

Jonathan hurried inside, the blood type confirmed. Kayla, oblivious, murmured, "Type O? My brother's Type O, too."

Lauren and Reginald exchanged a stunned look. Reginald, Dominick, Kayla, Grayson – all Type O. And now, Serena. The coincidence felt…impossible.

Kayla gasped. "Could Serena be my brother's?"