bChapter /b474

    The two clung to each other, but Cole didn’t give mother and daughter much time for a tender reunion.

    “Ms. Holt, I’m so sorry, but my fiancée needs a blood transfusion right away. The blood from the city hospital will take too long to get here. I have to ask–could you please help us?”

    Before anyone could react, Cole dropped to his knees, desperation shining in his eyes.

    The sudden gesture startled She Holt. Instinctively, she pulled her daughter closer, shielding her.

    “Wh–what are you doing?” she stammered, her arms tightening protectively.

    “Mom, please help Miss Lessie!” Susannah’s voice trembled with tears. “It’s my fault she got hurt protecting me. The doctor said I’m not old enough to donate, and we both have the same rare blood type. Mom, please, you’re the only one who can save her.”

    She’s face twisted with worry. Donating blood itself wasn’t the

    problem–it was what mighte after.

    She’d spent her whole life working low–paying jobs, scraping by on the margins. Giving blood once or twice didn’t scare her, but what if this happened again? Who knew what these rich families might demand next time?

    She had only discovered her rare blood type while working at the factory. At first, she hadn’t thought much of it, but then she heard rumors–some people hunted down folks with rare blood types, forcing them to donate to wealthy patients, or even selling them on the ck market.

    She’d never finished school. The stories terrified her. She’d immediately had both her daughters tested, only to learn her eldest had inherited the same rare blood.

    b1/3 /b

    12:21

    She’d warned her girls over and over to keep it a secret, but now her daughter had let it slip so easily.

    Cole immediately understood her hesitation.

    He rose to his feet. “We can make this official. I’ll draw up a contract. If you agree to help us this time, I’ll make sure you both receive three million dors. With that, you could move to a quieter city, buy a home, start a small business–whatever you need. I’ll also make sure your identities are kept confidential, and I promise you’ll never hear from us about this again.”

    “Th–three million?” She’s voice caught, disbelief written all over her face.

    Three million dors was more than enough for them to livefortably, maybe even open a café and buy a nice ce to call home.

    “All right. I trust you,” she said atst, torn between her daughter’s pleading eyes, Cole’s sincerity, and the life–changing promise of that

    money.

    As the doctor began the transfusion, Cole stood by, watching every movement with anxious intensity.

    Beside him, Susannah barely came up to his waist.

    “She’ll be okay, right? Miss Lessie will be okay?” Her eyes were wide, her voice small but hopeful.

    She didn’t understand what three million dors meant for her mother, but she knew her beloved teacher was going to be saved.

    “Yes, she will. Thank you, Susannah. Thank you,” Cole replied, genuine gratitude filling his voice.

    He knew that Lessie’s kindness would not go unrewarded.

    Hearing his answer, Susannah finally let out the breath she’d been

    holding. Three months of lessons, encouragement, and gentlepany with Alessia shed through her mind.

    12 22

    She remembered the moment they were rescued: Alessia’s beautiful face streaked with blood, her body wracked with pain in that cramped space, yet her voice remained gentle, always soothing.

    “I’m just d I could help,” Susannah whispered, head bowed, tears streaming down her cheeks. No matter how many times she wiped them away, new ones kept falling.

    She kept repeating those same words under her breath, her voice trembling with relief and gratitude.