Chapter 22

Camilla

"Leukemia? My God, that's terrible news babe", he said with what seemed like concern and sadness in his voice.

"Yes, Leukemia, and I don't know what to do Ray, I'm confused" I said as tears rolled down my face. " The doctor said he has to under go a bone marrow surgery, he has just 2 months left babe, my son has just two months to live, what do I do?". More tears rolled down my face.

" Calm down babe, we will get through this together, nothing is going to happen to our George okay," he said trying so hard to console me. "Babe say something, I'm on thin ice here. Should I take the next available flight there?".

" I don't know Ray, I'm scared, the doctor said we have to start looking for possible donors now because it's difficult to find one and even more difficult to find a suitable donor " I said in between tears, it feels like my heart is being ripped out of my chest.

"Babe, you are crying too much, crying won't do you any good. I know you're a strong woman and you'll get through this. I'll wrap up whatever I'm doing here and come see you and the kids and possibly take the test to know if I can donate" he said still trying so hard to make me stop crying.

"Okay, thanks, I have to go check on the kids now. I love you, bye". I hung up the call.

"I love you too, babe," he said before I ended the call.

But even as I hung up, the anxiety didn't fade. I couldn't tell him about Lawrence, I mean I promised him I wouldn't even have anything to do with him. But what if Lawrence is a right match for George, I don't know what to do,I can't tell Lawrence about the kids, what if he tries to kill them like he wanted to.

I can't tell Raymond about Lawrence yet, I need time to think this through. Meanwhile I need to set up a meeting with Lawrence,I have to tell him about George, I need to save my child.

Wwhat if Lawrence was a match? What if he was George's only chance?

I felt torn, caught between my promise to Ray and my desperate need to save my son. My mind raced, replaying the memories of Lawrence—the threats, the coldness in his voice when he told me he didn't want children. How could I trust him with George's life now? What if he tried to hurt them?

But as I looked at George's innocent, sleeping face that night, I knew I had no choice. My son's life was on the line.

The next morning, I picked up my phone and dialed Lawrence's number. My hands trembled as I held the phone to my ear, and it felt like an eternity before he answered.

"Hello Camilla," he said,his voice calm and composed.

" Hello," I replied, my throat dry. "Ummm I'm sorry for bothering you but we need to talk about something urgently,in person . Can you meet me at the cafe along the street of the hospital, 12pm tomorrow?". I said without second guessing any word I said.

There was a brief pause before he said,

"Sure, hope you're good, what's the urgency?"

" I'm good,I just really need to talk to you. See you tomorrow."

"Okay," he said simply. "Take care, Camilla."

As much as I hated the idea of facing Lawrence again, I couldn't let my fear cost George his life.

I ended the call and sat back, my heart pounding. I hated the idea of facing him again, but I couldn't let my fear cost George his life.

The café was quiet, the hum of the espresso machine filling the silence as I sat at a corner table, waiting for Lawrence to arrive. My heart pounded in my chest, and I fought the urge to flee.

When he walked in, tall and commanding as ever, my breath caught. His dark eyes scanned the room until they landed on me. I saw a flicker of surprise, maybe even hope, as he made his way over.

"Camilla," he said, taking a seat across from me. " how are you doing ."

"I'm fine," I lied, my voice shaky. "And you?"

"I'm good," he replied, his tone cautious. "Just coffee? Is that enough for you?"

"Yes," I said, barely able to meet his gaze.

" Okay " he said, leaning back slightly.

There was a beat of silence before I blurted out the words I had rehearsed a hundred times. "Lawrence, I didn't abort the babies."

His eyes widened, and he leaned back in his chair, stunned. "You… what?"

"They're alive," I said, my voice breaking. "You have two children—a boy and a girl. George and Mira."

He stared at me, his expression unreadable. "Why are you telling me this now? Why did you keep this a secret all this years Camilla?"

"Because George is sick," I admitted, tears spilling down my cheeks. "He has leukemia, and he needs a bone marrow transplant. You might be his only chance.i don't want to loose my child"

For a moment, Lawrence said nothing. Then he reached across the table, his voice firm. "I want to help. And I want to meet them."

I shook my head, pulling away. "Not yet. Let's take this one step at a time."

"I understand you're upset,but please let me see them, don't keep them away from me anymore" he said this time with concern in his voice.

"Lawrence,I can't just introduce you to them as their father, after all these years, you wanted to kill them years ago remember? I kept them a secret because I wasn't sure you won't try to do the same" all the resentment I had for him, came rushing back.

Guilt clouded his expression, and he lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry Camilla, it's not what you think, please let me make it back to you and the kids, please"

" Let's just start this by saving George's life first, and we'll talk about it more. I have to go pick Mira up from school. I'll tell my doctor about you taking the test and schedule an appointment, I'll get back to you " I said standing up.

" Thanks for doing this" I turned to leave and he held my hand.

"I'll make it up to you and the kids Camilla, I'm sorry for all the things I did, I'm sorry you had to go through all this, I hope you can forgive me," he said with a mix of determination and guilt.

"Please show up for the test, thanks for meeting me once again, I really hope you're a suitable donor, I'm out of time already" I said before leaving.

On my way home I thought of so many possibilities, like what if he doesn't show up, what if he isn't a match, what if the surgery doesn't work out. God save my George.

A week later, Lawrence's test results came back. I sat in the hospital waiting room, my stomach in knots as the doctor delivered the news.

"He's a match," he said, smiling.

Relief flooded through me, and I couldn't stop the tears that streamed down my face. "Thank you," I whispered, clutching her hand.

I called Lawrence to tell him the news, and he insisted on coming to the hospital to discuss the next steps. When he arrived, he looked at me with a mix of determination and guilt.

"Thank you for giving me this chance," he said. "Not just to help George, but to make things right. I promise not to mess this up." he then turned to the doctor and said "please doctor give this surgery your best, give the child the best treatment, no matter how much it cost I'll take care of the bills."

" I'll do my best Sir, your child in is safe hands, Mr. Lawrence." The doctor said smiling.

His sincerity caught me off guard, but I still couldn't let my guard down. "We'll schedule the surgery, but I need time before I can let you meet them."

"I understand. I won't stop trying,I'll be here whenever you need me."

He nodded, respecting my boundaries, and we worked with the doctors to set a date for the transplant. The doctor set the date for the transplant to be in a months time. Now I just have to hope the transplant goes well

Lawrence looked so sober and genuinely concerned, I can't believe he asked me to have an abortion years ago. It's either he's good at acting or really cares. It's confusing.

That night, as I sat by George's bedside, I felt a glimmer of hope for the first time in weeks. Perhaps, against all odds, things were finally starting to fall into place. I really hope George survives this, I can't afford to loose him.