“Surgery prep is complete," the nurse said. “Mr. Huo will be the direct donor. Crossmatch confirmed—O-negative and compatible."
Jiang Ci nodded numbly from the bench outside the operating room, Glaze curled in her lap, thumb in mouth, trembling.
“He called him Daddy," she whispered.
Adrienne's voice echoed in her memory: *“Stormlight is only born under pressure."*
Jiang Ci stared at the ceiling. *This is it. The moment I can't outrun anymore.*
A doctor approached, clipboard in hand. “We need consent signatures for the minor."
“I'll sign," she said.
The pen slipped once. Twice.
But she wrote her name—every letter clear, undeniable.
Jiang Ci.
---
In the recovery room, machines beeped softly.
Glaze slept, IV in one arm, stuffed dinosaur in the other.
Beside him, pale and unconsci
