Chapter 156

"Alright, I'll go now!" Joanna replied, leaving to settle Lilia's hospitalization procedures. She was in a daze.

"Mommy, when are we going home?" Lilia asked.

Joanna fought back tears, forcing a smile. "Be a good girl, Lilia. We'll stay in the hospital for a few days this time."

"Mommy, I don't want to be hospitalized!"

"Listen to Mommy, okay? I'll keep you company every day," Joanna said, turning away to hide her trembling body. "Miss Haynes, Lilia"

"Don't ask. Just bring Lilia to the inpatient ward."

"Sure, sure!"

Seeing Joanna's distress, Tracy surmised Lilia's condition was serious. She didn't dare ask further and quickly took Lilia to the ward.

"Doctor, how will you treat Lilia?"

"We need a bone marrow match quickly. Fortunately, her condition was discovered early, and she has a chance of recovery!"

Joanna steeled herself. "Please operate as soon as possible!"

"The patient urgently needs a transplant. The Bone Marrow Donor Program is very slow; it's difficult to wait"

Joanna exclaimed, "Just use mine!"

"We can't use just anyone's bone marrow. It depends on whether it's a match."

"If yours is a match, that's great. If not, we have to find a new donor."

Jaydon arrived at the hospital, rushing to Joanna's side.

"Joann, how's Lilia?"

"The doctor says it's acute leukemia!"

Jaydon was speechless, his heart sinking.

"Joann"

"I'm going to the lab now. I'll talk later."

The bone marrow test results were soon in. Joanna's bone marrow wasn't a match. Overwhelmed with grief, she couldn't cry.

"Doctor, I have Davian and Irvin. They're my biological children; one of them will definitely be a match."

"They're too young. I don't recommend using their bone marrow. Besides leukemia, she also has thalassemia! Our options are limited"

"No, I must save my daughter! No matter what!"

"Doctor, how much time does she have?"

"Without surgery, about a month."

Joanna gasped. "One month? What's the success rate?"

"50%."

"We have to try!"

Davian and Irvin's tests also came back negative. Although triplets, they weren't identical and had different blood types. Almost all direct relatives were incompatible. The only other possibility was Lilia's biological father.

"Doctor, is there another way?"

The doctor frowned. "Ideally, we'd find the child's biological father to see if his bone marrow is a match."

Joanna's heart sank.

"Doctor, can we wait for the Bone Marrow Donor Program?"

"I'm afraid she can't wait."

Joanna wept. She didn't want to involve Bruce, or for him to know he fathered her three children, but she had no choice. Looking at her dying daughter, she knew this was her only option. It was the seventh of the month; her wedding was tomorrow.

Bruce was with Roxanne, trying on wedding gowns. His phone rang. It was Joanna.

16:34 Sat,

Chapter 156

Bruce frowned and stepped aside to answer.

"Yes?"

"Bruce!" Joanna's voice was hoarse.

Bruce, suppressing his emotions, said coldly, "What is it?"

Joanna sobbed, unable to speak.

Bruce scoffed, "Why are you crying? Reluctant to see me marry?"

Joanna continued sobbing.

"What is it?"

"I need to see you!"

"Ms. Haynes, I'm getting married tomorrow. What's the point of calling now?"

Joanna finally whispered, trembling, "My daughter is sick!"

Bruce was stunned, abandoning his sarcasm.

"What illness?"

"Acute leukemia."

"How is that my problem?"

Joanna's hand trembled as she choked out, "She needs a bone marrow transplant. Without surgery, she might not last a month."

Bruce frowned. "So?"

"I've tested my other two children. None are matches!"

"Then why call me?"

A moment passed. A chill ran down Bruce's spine.

"Where are you?"

"At the children's hospital."

"Wait for me. I'll be there!"

Bruce hung up, leaving Roxanne without a word. Roxanne, seeing his distress, tried to stop him, but he was already gone.

Twenty minutes later, Bruce arrived at the hospital. Joanna sat on the floor, haggard and seemingly distraught.

"Joanna"

Joanna's tears flowed anew.

"What's going on?"

"Please! Help my daughter!"

Bruce grabbed her arms. "Tell me everything clearly!"

Joanna sobbed uncontrollably. "Our bone marrows don't match Lilia's! You're my only chance!"

Bruce's pupils constricted. "These three children are mine, right?"

Joanna lowered her head and sobbed.

Bruce's anger erupted. He shook her fiercely.

"Joanna, how long did you intend to keep this from me? If Lilia wasn't sick, you'd hide this forever, right?"

Joanna cried silently. It was true.

"Bruce, please save Lilia! You're our only hope. If your bone marrow is a match, I beg you"

Bruce's anger intensified.

"What are you talking about? I'm Lilia's father. How dare you hide this from me? Joanna Haynes, what have you done!"

He knew he had to save his child. He immediately agreed to the bone marrow test. The results were quick: a perfect match.

Roxanne called repeatedly. Bruce finally answered.

"Bruce, our wedding is tomorrow. Where are you?"

"Roxy, I'm sorry. I can't marry you right now."

Roxanne was stunned. "Why?"

"There's no reason."

"Bruce, are you unwilling to marry me?"

Bruce said indifferently, "Roxy, I have bad news. Joanna's daughter has leukemia. She needs a transplant."

"What does that have to do with you?"

"I'm the father."

Another blow hit Roxanne.

"Bruce"

"The child is critically ill. I'm donating my bone marrow. We shouldn't get married now."

"Bruce!"

The line went dead. Bruce had hung up.

"What did Bruce say?"

"He says to cancel the wedding!"

"What?" Ingrid was dumbfounded. "How is this possible? The guests are coming! Why cancel suddenly?"