Chapter 8 Heart Transplant

• Donovan was due to be on a business trip in Floace for a month. However, on the third day after his arrival, he received a call from the hospital. They informed him that they had found a terminally ill patient who was a match for Lila.
• The patient was more than willing to donate her heart to Lila after her death.
• Donovan wanted to express his gratitude to this individual, but the hospital delicately conveyed that the patient did not wish to disclose their personal information.
• “Mr. Mayer, Mrs. Mayer's father isn't doing well.”
• Upon exiting the conference room, Donovan was immediately met with Callum Wells, his assistant, who stood before him to deliver a report.
• “How much money is needed?”
• Callum said, “One hundred and fifty thousand.”
• “Cover his expenses. Make sure he receives the best treatment.”
• Callum nodded, and Donovan returned to the hotel. He lay on the couch with his eyes closed, resting, yet he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was missing.
• He opened his eyes and took his phone in his hand, opening WhatsApp to find his chat with Shelby.
• During his business trip to Floace this time, Shelby did not send him a single message.
• He flipped through the messages one by one, all of them were filled with Shelby's daily ramblings, to which he seldom responded.
• When her father fell seriously ill this time, she didn't tell him. Donovan frowned, closing the chat window.
• He made a phone call home.
• “Where's Mrs. Mayer?” he asked.
• The housekeeper spoke respectfully. “Mrs. Mayer has returned to her parents' home. She said she will move back once you return.”
• Donovan let out a sigh of relief. Shelby was a timid soul, frightened of thunderstorms, the dark, and pain. She was uncomfortable being alone in a large house.
• On the fifteenth day of Donovan's stay in Floace, the hospital finalized the surgical plan. Lila also underwent several examinations.
• Donovan had heard that the person who had donated her heart to Lila was not in good health. She was also residing in the hospital, with the likelihood of surviving for more than half a month seeming slim.
• He asked relentlessly, only to be told by the doctor that she was suffering from a severe case of colorectal cancer.
• Upon hearing this, a jolt went through Donovan's heart. Colorectal cancer... Shelby's report also indicated colorectal cancer.
• Such a coincidence left Donovan feeling uneasy.
• He immediately called Shelby. She was lying in the hospital bed, and in just two short weeks, she had become frighteningly thin.
• The nurse handed her the mobile phone. Upon seeing the displayed name, a hint of joy sparked in her eyes. This was the first time Donovan had taken the initiative to call her.
• She was trembling as she attempted to remove the oxygen mask, but the nurse stopped her. Shelby simply shook her head.
• She picked up her phone and answered the call.
• After a brief silence, Donovan asked her, “I'll be back on the seventh of next month. You may return home then.”
• “Sure.” Shelby gave a smile.
• Donovan felt that something was off about her.
• “Donovan, I'm so tired. Could you call me tomorrow?”
• Her voice lacked energy, which Donovan attributed to her just waking up. He glanced at the time; it was eight in the morning back home.
• Inexplicably, he said, “Alright, I'll call you tomorrow.”
• The call ended, slipping from Shelby's grasp. She took a deep breath, as the nurse scrambled to place an oxygen mask over her face. Shelby closed her eyes, her vision blurring into a haze of light.
• “I wish to see tomorrow's sun.” Her voice was as fragile as a thread. “And I wish to answer his call.”
• However, she knew she wouldn't be able to take his call anymore.
• The job that was originally scheduled to take half a month to finish, Donovan completed in a single day. He booked a flight back home for that very night. Before heading to the airport, he donned a suit and, struck by a sudden thought, reached into his suitcase to retrieve the tie that Shelby had given him.
• The burgundy tie matched the suit that he was wearing exceptionally well.
• He had boarded the plane early. Just before he turned off his phone, Donovan received a message from the hospital: Mr. Mayer, the donor passed away two minutes ago. Ms. Brock's heart transplant surgery will take place in two hours.