He Chose Her Kid, I Prioritize Mine

Chapter 2

I drew a deep, steadying breath, forcing down the burning ache behind my eyes, and dialed Stefan's number again.

He picked up faster this time, and along the line I could hear Andrew's excited, high-pitched scream in the background.

"Daddy! Look how high I'm flying!"

My fingers tightened around the phone until my nails dug deep into my palm.

"Stefan, I was too impulsive earlier. If Andrew's not feeling well, take him to the hospital first. I can handle the donor heart arrangement on my own."

There was a beat of stunned silence at the other end of the line.

"Olivia, you..."

"Go on. Don't keep Jillian waiting. It can't be easy raising a child all by herself." I hung up before he could say another word.

Dylan lifted his head to look at me. "Mommy, aren't we going to the hospital anymore?"

I crouched down in front of him and wiped the tear tracks from his small face. "We are. But we just have to wait for the right moment."

No one knew better than me that Stefan would bend to gentle persuasion, not force.

In my past life, I'd been far too stubborn, and that only pushed him farther and farther away. This time around, I would play by his own rules. I would make him hand me the knife I needed with his own two hands.

Sure enough, barely ten minutes later, Stefan's name flashed across my screen as he called back.

His voice came through rough and gravelly. "Olivia, I've cleared everything with the hospital. I have already called the donor heart coordinator. Head over now and ask for Director Warren directly."

I feigned hesitation. "Stefan... wouldn't that be too much trouble for you?"

He cut me off, annoyed. "What trouble? Dylan's my son. Go on ahead. I'll head over as soon as I finish Andrew's checkup."

I sneered coldly to myself, but my voice came out thick with gratitude. "Okay, I'll bring Dylan right now."

The second I hung up, I snatched Dylan into my arms and bolted out the front door.

When Director Warren saw me, his eyes went wide with shock. "Mrs. Cole? What are you doing here?"

I panted, still out of breath from running. "Stefan said he arranged for a donor heart. He told me to bring Dylan here to get checked in."

Director Warren's expression shifted slightly. "But Miss Jillian brought Andrew here just a moment ago. She said the donor heart Mr. Cole arranged is for Andrew..."

It felt like I'd been struck by lightning. My arms around Dylan started shaking so badly I could barely hold him.

"Director Warren, check again. My husband clearly said..."

A voice sharp with anger cut me off.

"Olivia, what kind of scene are you causing here?"

Stefan strode toward me, Jillian trailing behind him while holding Andrew's hand. Andrew pulled a mocking face at me.

My eyes burned hot with unshed tears. "Stefan, you clearly said that donor heart was for Dylan..."

He furrowed his brows as though I were being unreasonable.

"When did I say that? I only said I'd help you look. The hospital evaluated the cases, and Andrew's condition is more urgent."

My voice came out raw and broken. "What urgency? He looks perfectly healthy! How is his situation more urgent than my son's?"

Jillian's eyes instantly flooded with tears. "Olivia, I know you've never liked Andrew and me, but he's only six years old. How could you wish him harm like this?"

Stefan glowered at me, irritation, sharpening his features. "Look at yourself! Can't you even make room for a sick child?"

"The next donor heart will arrive in two weeks. Dylan's condition is unstable right now. Waiting a few days to stabilize him before surgery is actually the safer option," Director Warren chimed in right on cue, nodding along.

I looked down at Dylan in my arms. His small face was deathly pale, but he still wrapped his little arms gently around my neck. He was being so incredibly mature about it.

"It's okay, Mom. We can wait."

Wait.

That single word drove straight into my chest like a sharp, cold blade.

In my past life, all that waiting had gotten me was his death certificate.

Still, I heard my own voice say, "Okay. We'll wait."

Stefan exhaled, visibly relaxing, and his tone softened, "That's more like it. Take Dylan home first. I'll stay here with Jillian and Andrew for their full workup."

Jillian spoke up in her weak, breathy voice, "Stefan, isn't this too much trouble for you? Olivia looks really upset..."

Stefan flicked a cold glance my way. "She's not upset. She's always been the understanding one." With that, he ushered Jillian and Andrew into the examination room.

I stood frozen in the hallway, still holding Dylan tightly against my chest. Sunlight streamed through the large window and fell across us, but I couldn't feel any warmth at all.

I was cold to the very marrow of my bones.