Seven Years a Shadow: The Stand-In's Escape novel Chapter 23

My mother's eyes filled with tears again.

It seemed she had calmed down from the anger she'd felt that day.

She silently wiped her eyes without saying a word.

"Child, every mother loves her daughter. If I hadn't been so furious with you back then, I would never have..."

I sneered, interrupting her.

"Just say whether you'll let her get tested or not. I'll arrange for the check-up."

My mother was choked for a moment, lowering her head awkwardly.

"... I'll donate."

"Do you agree to Yuna donating too?"

My mother clutched her chest, her voice trembling.

"... Yes."

"Now you're not worried about the risk, of losing both your children?"

My mother covered her face with her hands, tears silently streaming through her fingers.

I gathered my thoughts and returned to the office, where the mentor had already arrived.

As soon as I entered, several colleagues surrounded me.

Yogurt, nuts, and snacks quickly piled up on my desk.

"South, keeping a happy mood is key to a healthy baby."

"Yeah, don't let annoying people or things get to you, or else you won't have a beautiful baby."

"South, hug us! We'll always love you."

My eyes slightly moistened, and the heavy air from the hospital room seemed to dissipate somewhat.

The mentor walked over and tossed a stack of materials onto my desk.

"Stop just eating, do some work too, or else you'll have trouble with a natural birth."

The office fell silent, and the atmosphere eased.

The East family's test results were already known to my colleagues.

One of them muttered, "Seems like karma—none of them are a match."

Despite this result, the East family didn't give up and went to another hospital for a recheck.

When the results came back, we met them in the elevator again.

My mother, who usually lived a life of luxury, seemed to have aged ten years. Her shoulders slumped, and her eye sockets were sunken.

When she saw me enter the elevator, her eyes suddenly brightened.

After a brief hesitation, she mustered up the courage to speak to me.

"... South."

I didn't respond.

"South, you... How have you been lately?"

I turned around.