Chapter 14
CHAPTER 15; GENETIC COMPATIBILITY
Sebastian nodded and followed the doctor, but Isabella couldn’t stay behind. Since she found out Nicholas was sick, a kind of maternal instinct took over her, attributing it to the fact that she now knew she had a child
A child who was alive and somewhere, waiting to be found by her
Both entered the doctor’s office.
“What does my son have? Sebastián got straight to the point.
The doctor looked at them for a moment, first at Sebastian and then at Isabella, before speaking.
“Nicholas has acute lymphoblastic leukemia,” he said seriously.
Sebastian furrowed his brows and shook his head, unable to accept what he was hearing
“What is that?”
The doctor sighed softly and spoke more clearly.
“Your son has leukemia, Mr. Ashford. And it’s a very aggressive type of leukemia.
The doctor’s words hit Sebastian hard, his blue eyes staring intently, still unable to fully comprehend.
“Leukemia“” Isabella whispered, her voice barely audible.
“Yes, I’m afraid the little one has developed this type of cancer that affects the white blood cells in the blood,” the doctor explained
Isabella’s eyes filled with tears, and a dull pain settled in her chest. Sebastian, for his part, did everything possible to be strong, showing a toughness he didn’t feel at that moment.
“Why does my son have this? Why?” he asked, pounding the desk in frustration.
“In most cases, it happens spontaneously, but there are certain cases where it is hereditary,” the doctor explained, trying to offer some clarity. “Tri sorry, Mr. Ashford, but I promise we will do everything necessary to help Nicholas.”
Sebastian stood up, turned around, closed his eyes, and took a few breaths to calm the fear inside him. Nicholas was his everything, he had loved him since the first time he saw him, and the idea of losing him terrified him deeply
“What’s next?” Isabella’s soft voice made him turn around.
She was addressing the doctor with a mix of concern and determination on her face. The doctor looked at her confused for a moment but almost immediately assumed she was the child’s mother. So he proceeded to explain.
“The first thing we will do is start a treatment that will include chemotherapy and immunotherapy. These are the first lines of action to combat leukemia. However, if these options are not effective, the next step would be to resort to a bone marrow transplant. The doctor adjusted his glasses and looked seriously at Sebastian and Isabella. T recommend considering having a second child as soon as possible. In the best–case scenario, that could be the cure for Nicholas.”
Isabella looked at Sebastian reflexively and stammered.
“I’m sorry, I think there’s been a misunderstanding.
“She is not Nicholas’s mother,” Sebastian said harshly, his voice making the distance clear. “She is no one.”
The doctor raised his eyebrows and nodded, understanding the situation.
“I understand, however, Mr. Ashford, since she is not the mother, then I recommend you talk to the child’s mother. Maybe she has a child now and is willing to…..
Sebastian’s cold and sarcastic laugh resonated in the office, cutting off the doctor’s suggestion.
No, she won’t be willing. She doesn’t want him. She is a woman who doesn’t deserve the title of mother”
“Willing N
Isabella was surprised to hear this, and suddenly Nicholas’s words in the car repeated in her mind. Now the understood why the boy said his
mother didn’t want him.
1/2
Chapter 14
“How can someone not want an angel like him” she asked herself, feeling a mix of sadness and anger.
“Start the chemotherapy as soon as possible,” Sebastián ordered, pulling Isabella out of her thoughts. His voice was firm, but there was a trace of pleading in his words ‘Do whatever it takes, but save my son.”
The doctor nodded but added
“However, Mr. Ashford, you shouldn’t dismiss the possibility of having a second child.” Sebastian’s eyebrows furrowed, showing his frustration and the complexity of the situation “A bone marrow transplant is the most feasible option. The treatment will give the necessary time for Nicholas to have a sibling. Siblings are the most ideal donors in these cases, and it is not strictly necessary for them to be siblings from the same parents, the doctor explained.
Unconsciously. Sebastian looked at Isabella, who swallowed hard, visibly affected by the gravity of the conversation:
“Excuse me, but… What certainty do you have about what you’re saying?” she asked.
The doctor explained patiently.
“A sibling has the highest chance of being compatible since they share a greater amount of genes. Obviously, being from the same parents, this genetic compatibility increases.” He paused, looking at both of them, trying to convey the importance of his message. “In short, if you want to save Nicholas’s life, he needs to have a sibling as soon as possible”
