“Really?”
Malvina seized upon his words, pressing for more details.
“So, tell me exactly how you’ve been ‘good’ to her? Explain it to me!”
“Don’t you already know?” Galen furrowed his brow. “I bought her a car…”
“And? What else?”
Galen fell silent, unwilling to say more.
“Hmph!” Malvina scoffed. “You just won’t say anything!”
Since Yuna’s situation came to light, Malvina had interrogated Galen countless times, but she could never extract anything substantial from him.
“You think by staying silent, I won’t find out?” Malvina smirked, her gaze sharp. “Galen, you’d better explain yourself!”
As she spoke, she turned on her phone and tossed it to him.
“Why have you been running off to the hospital so much lately? And what’s this about booking two VIP suites for the middle of next month in the hematology department? Who are they for? I want answers!” Galen froze, his mind suddenly clear. Looking at the phone, he saw a list of his recent transactions.
The Martin family grocery business had been managed by his mother for years, and she held tight control over the family finances. Even though she was gradually giving him more responsibility, checking up on his spending was easy for her.
Galen knew he couldn’t keep this secret. He had already briefed Sherilyn about the situation. Besides, with the surgery approaching, he had no intention of hiding it any longer. Seeing the transactions, Galen didn’t panic; instead, he calmed down. He nodded, acknowledging his mother’s query.
“The room is for me.”
“What?” Malvina was taken aback, not believing him. “Nonsense! You’re perfectly healthy. Why would you need a room in hematology?”
“Mom.” Galen sighed deeply. “I might be healthy, but…”
“Is it Sherilyn?” Malvina’s face turned serious, her eyes sharp. “What’s wrong with Sherilyn? Is she dying?”
“No.” Galen frowned deeply, shaking his head. “It’s Sherilyn’s daughter, my niece, Jenna.”
“Her daughter…?” Malvina paused, remembering. Yuna had mentioned Sherilyn had a daughter!
“Her daughter is sick? With a blood disease?”
“Yes.” Galen nodded, prepared to explain.
“Ha!” But Malvina burst out laughing. “Her daughter is sick? Dying? And what’s that got to do with you? Why would you need to be hospitalized?”
“Mom?”
It wasn’t that Malvina couldn’t guess the reason. Blood diseases often lead people to the same conclusion. But she was in disbelief. “Son, don’t tell me her daughter needs something like a bone marrow transplant, and you’re planning to donate yours!”
The room fell silent for a moment.
Galen nodded firmly. “Yes, that’s exactly what I’m planning to do.”
Malvina’s mouth hung open in shock, at a loss for words. She looked her son up and down, unsure what expression to make.
“Galen! Have you lost your
mind?
What does Sherilyn’s daughter living
or dying have to do with you? Why on earth would you donate your bone marrow to her?”
“Mom!”
Even though he had anticipated her reaction and knew his mother well, Galen couldn’t help but feel a sting in his heart hearing her words.
“How can you say she has nothing
to do with me? Sherilyn is my sister, my blood sister! Jenna is my niece! Our blood ties are real. We’re the closest family there is!”