ENTANGLED WITH THE SECRET MAFIA BOSS

Chapter 1 Andrea Philips-Carter laid on the operating table, a thin sheet covering her limp body. The surgical lights above her head bored into her irises and she winced. They were too bright, too white and definitely too much but she couldn't complain. What she was about to do was crucial to save her son's life. At such a young age, Noah had been diagnosed with leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant to survive. She had immediately volunteered herself, preferring to lay down her life in place of his. She would do the same thing if Nathan had been in that position and she knew he'd do the same for her as well. Because he loved her. She groaned as a wave of dizziness hit her. The anesthesia they had administered earlier was beginning to kick in and she could feel it pulling her under but she fought to stay awake, aware a little longer. Movement around her helped her keep her eyes open for a bit as she watched the medical team set up their equipment. “Mrs. Carter?” Someone called out to her but she didn't respond. Not that she didn't want to answer but she couldn't because her tongue felt heavy in her mouth and so did her eyelids. “Have you administered the anesthesia yet?” A cool yet powerful voice asked, breaking through the haze in her mind. “Yes doctor. We are ready to begin the surgery.” “Alright. Let's begin,” he announced and the bustling of feets rushing to get everything ready ceased. Andy stirred and stared at the door wondering if Nathan wouldn't come in to check on her. Even though she really wanted to save their son, she was scared about the procedure. What if she didn't make it out alive? Worse, what if there were some complications during the transplant? She could endure losing her own life as long as their son got to live a long and fruitful life. The lights above her became brighter and she felt even weaker. “Gloves,” Just as a nurse walked towards the door with a pair of gloves, the doctor of the operating room opened. Everyone's attention was drawn towards the door where Nathan Carter was standing in the doorway panting heavily. “Mr Carter,” the doctor started with a frown. “You can't be here. We're about to start,” Andy's heart skipped as she heard that her husband was there. She relaxed as she figured he had come to check on her and make sure she was okay before the surgery. “I apologise Dr. Julian but I need to speak to you quickly,” Andy frowned, confused at the strange turn of events. She had expected Nathan would walk towards her or at least ask the doctor about her. “Look Mr Carter, I know you must be worried about the procedure but believe me, it's safe. Your wife will be fine and once your son gets the bone marrow, he'll be on his way to jumping around again.” Dr. Julian commented hoping Nathan would relax then. However, Nathan shook his head. “I really need to talk to you,” he insisted and Andy would have sat up but she had no control over her body. Dr. Julian let out a sigh, irritated that Nathan was determined to speak to him about something. He turned towards his medical team that has been waiting for him to begin the surgery and smiled apologetically. “May we please have the room?” He asked and one by one they all made their way out until only the three were left. Nathan eyed his wife who was lying unmoving on the operating table and asked, “Is she awake?” Dr. Julian also looked at her and shook his head. “No. She has been sedated and was ready to begin the procedure which you have now interrupted. Make this quick,” “I need you to hand over the bone marrow you will take from my wife to someone else,” Nathan said finally and the room fell silent. Dr. Julian blinked wondering if he had misheard him while Andy laid perfectly still. What was he doing? Andy wondered but she couldn't speak afraid Nathan wouldn't finish speaking if he knew she could hear him. “I don't think I understand you Mr Carter,” “What I'm trying to say is, I know my son is supposed to get the bone marrow transplant, however I have changed my mind and would like to give it to someone else.” Andy's ears began ringing. Surely the anesthesia was affecting her way more than she thought because there was no way Nathan had said that. Noah was their little boy who had been battling leukemia and once Andy realized she was a perfect match for him, she volunteered herself. Nathan knew everything so what was he talking about? “I'm not following Mr. Carter…” “I have someone else I'd like to give the bone marrow to. It's urgent that I do this or else they might die.” “Your son needs this urgently or he might die Mr. Carter.” The doctor said, his voice showing his disapproval of Nathan's request. “Besides, the hospital has a bank for these kinds of things. Once I'm done here, I'll include whoever it is to the list and when a match is detected, I'll…” “No!* Nathan yelled and Andy shook, goosebumps covering her skin. “Look doc, you're not listening to me. I need this now.” Andy's eyes clouded with tears as she listened to Nathan speak. Who could be more important than their three year old son? “Mr Carter, I understand you are in a pickle, however, it will be unethical of me to divert the bone marrow to someone else. It goes against the consent form your wife signed.” “My wife doesn't have to know anything Doc. All you have to do is divert the bone marrow and when she wakes up and my son doesn't make it, you could just tell her there were some complications during the surgery.” A tear rolled down Andy's cheek before she could hold it back just as Dr. Julian groaned. “You can't be serious,” he muttered, hoping Nathan had a weird sense of humour. “I'm not joking Doctor, this is a matter of life and death,” “Me Carter,” Dr. Julian began still stunned by Nathan's earlier words. “Not only would it be unethical to do that but your son…” “I said I'll handle it!” Nathan snapped, cutting him off. Dr. Julian stared at him for a long time and gritted his teeth. The man was out of his mind. “Get out of my operating room,” Nathan's expression darkened but he didn't say anything more as he left the room. The door closed behind him and Andy's eyes fell shut as more tears began to spill down her cheeks. Her heart was shattered and her trust broken alongside. She couldn't believe what she had just heard and even though a part of her wished it was merely the anesthesia working against her, she felt a sense of unease wrap around her. Her breathing slowed and she wanted so badly to run after Nathan and demand an explanation from him. She opened her eyes, ready to slide off the bed; however, she no longer had control over her body. The final effects of the anesthesia began to kick in and her vision blurred. . She didn't know what the doctor was going to do and she didn't know what choice he would make. All she knew was that her husband and the father of their son had asked the doctor to let their son die and he hadn't even flinched while saying it. The door opened and the medical staff trooped back in and took their positions again. “Let's begin,” she heard the doctor say just as the darkness overwhelmed her.