His to Claim, His to Ruin

Chapter 8

Lana

My father’s missed calls forced me to get up from my bed early. I left the Mancini mansion with a sense of urgency after hearing what happened to my sick mother.

A doctor is now standing across me whilst countless patients are inside the shared intensive care unit room, and unfortunately, my mother is among those patients.

“This is crucial. Every second counts. Christine is suffering from kidney failure at the moment, and no medication can save her. The only way for her to survive is a kidney transplant.”

Shit.

The doctor advised me several weeks ago about a transplant, but the problem was the expenses.

“We have money now.” I firmly asserted. “Proceed with the surgery, Doc. I'll get the money as soon as possible.”

A deep sigh comes from him. “Yes, a surgery can be performed within the day, but our problem is…another patient who's looking for kidneys came a few days ago. The kidneys I told you about are now in the patient's body.”

I froze.

All the remaining strength left in my body slipped away after hearing the terror.

To think that my mom couldn't survive past one week made my chest tighten. I'm not yet ready.

My world came crumbling down upon hearing the doctor's words. I can't give them an answer about the kidneys because I can't find any money to cover the expenses, and it's totally understandable.

Knees gone weak, and my shoulders dropped down. A single tear tried to flee from my eyes until it voluntarily dropped down.

“I can perform a surgery right now, but we have to first find a compatible donor for your mother.”

Unhurriedly, my gaze locked with the doctor. “W-Where am I gonna find a kidney? A donor?”

“Transplants are crucial these days. It’s impossible to find a donor as soon as possible. I don't think your mother can last three days—not even past a week,” the surgeon asserted.

Ymil held my shoulder, he stepped up a little as his mouth moved. “Your hospital is huge, I bet people die here everyday with compact organs!” He almost lost his s**t as his tone increased.

I saw the frustration in my father's eyes. Just like me, he's not ready either. One day she's doing fine, all well, and colorful as crayons until she becomes unconscious.

“Kidney is crucial,” the doctor said. “Finding a kidney itself is crucial. Keep in mind there are some lab tests first to know whether the new donor is compatible with your mother otherwise we’ll find another one again.”

The tests were done a few weeks ago by my mother and we waited for like, three days, before we found out she's compatible.

Time alone is important. Given her situation, my mom may not be able to survive it this time.

“What will happen if she doesn't get a kidney transplant?” It’s my father's shaking voice. I saw the faint hope in his eyes, hoping for a miracle to happen.

“The worst case scenario would be…” The doctor heaved a sigh as his eyes drifted to mine. “I'm so sorry, Mr. Licciardi.”

Possible case scenarios are the worst—at least in my point of view.

The hospital is helping us find another donor. They are exchanging communication with different medical centers just to attain a kidney suitable for my mother. I called various clinics, even a place where bodies are being examined, but nothing yet.

I nibbled my lips until a name popped into my mind.

Salvatore.

His name appears like a thunder—when the land dries, and an upcoming rain will come, it gives me a piece of hope.

“Where are you going Lana?” My father stopped me as I was about to leave.

“To get help.”

His forehead creased. “To whom?”

Desperation; it might be. What else do I have to wait before I go to him?

****

The taxi pulled over outside his vast villa. His bodyguards on standby made a report via small hidden earphones before the door opened. His men accompanied me, going straight to the mansion through a gold cart, until the cart pulled outside the mansion itself.

Seeing a bunch of men inside his living room made me take a step back. Salvatore was sitting in the middle with a creased forehead and an annoyed face. He saw me step inside with his pair, burning eyes until it drifted back to his men.

A few minutes later, Salvatore ended the meeting with his men while I remained standing to where I was hoping everyone could finish instantly.

“I’m glad you know how to find your way back,” Salvatore enunciated as he made sure no one else was in the living room with him.

My chest began to rise and fall as I bit my inside cheek. “Salvatore, I need your h-help.”

He showed nothing but a smug face. He didn't speak either.

“My mom needs an emergency transplant but we can't find any donors,” I can't help but get my voice shaking as I speak. “Time is running. Losing even a second can result in the death of my mom.”

Salvatore scowled.

He didn't want to help. Damn it!

In just a second, he took out his phone and dialed a number. A few rings and that person answered. He clicked his loudspeaker to make sure I could hear.

“Don Salvatore,” a man greeted him with such honorifics. “To what do I owe you this call?”

“I need a kidney for transplantation,” he affirmed simply. “Now.”

“I'll check with my secretary if there are any possible kidneys I can provide.” The man behind the call affirmed.

My forehead creased for a moment. The call was held for a second until he came back, while I was gripping my shirt with such desperation that it flashed in my eyes.

“My hospital has one. You can send someone to get it.”

Finally, I can breathe without a sweat the moment I heard his claim to a kidney available at a certain hospital.

His confirmation pulled out a knife from my chest as tears began to well up in the corners of my eyes.

Salvatore's eyes remained stuck in mine. “Alright. I'll have my man dispatched right now.”

“Who's the patient receiving the kidneys, by the way? Her name should be put on our records.”

“My mother-in-law.”