Chapter 2: The Letter Beneath the Mattress
Daniel carried Sophie down the stairs while Carol clutched the sealed envelope so tightly that the edges bent beneath her trembling fingers.
The drive to St. Andrew's Medical Center felt endless.
Doctors rushed Sophie into the emergency department without asking a single question. The moment they saw her hospital wristband, nurses began shouting orders.
"Blood pressure dropping."
"Prepare two units of O-negative."
"Call hematology."
Daniel stood frozen.
"What... what's happening to my wife?"
No one answered immediately.
Carol finally remembered the envelope.
It had Daniel's name written across the front in Sophie's careful handwriting.
For several long seconds, she debated whether to open it.
Then she handed it to her son.
"I think she wanted you to read this... if something happened."
Daniel's fingers shook as he unfolded the letter.
My Dearest Daniel,
If you're reading this, it means I couldn't hide my condition any longer.
I'm sorry.
Not for being sick.
For lying to you.
Three months ago, doctors told me I had severe aplastic anemia. Without treatment, my body would slowly stop producing blood.
I wanted to tell you.
Every single day.
But after seeing how excited you were about our wedding...
I couldn't steal that happiness from you.
Your mother already believed I wasn't good enough for this family.
I didn't want her final memory before our marriage to be of a dying bride.
So I smiled.
I danced.
I pretended I wasn't exhausted.
Yesterday, before walking down the aisle, I collapsed in the bridal suite.
The doctors begged me to postpone the wedding.
I refused.
Because marrying you was the only dream I had left.
If I don't survive...
Please don't spend your life feeling guilty.
The happiest day of my life was the moment I became your wife.
I have loved you every day.
Forever.
Sophie
Daniel's knees gave out.
The letter slipped onto the hospital floor.
Carol stared at the words through blurred vision.
Yesterday...
She had complained that Sophie looked pale in the wedding photos.
She had whispered that the girl seemed lazy because she needed to sit during the reception.
Every judgment...
Every cruel assumption...
Crushed her now.
Just then, the emergency room doors opened.
A hematologist approached.
"We've stabilized her for the moment," he said.
"But she needs a bone marrow transplant."
Daniel grabbed the doctor's arm.
"I'll donate."
The doctor hesitated.
"We'll test you immediately."
Hours later...
The results came back.
Daniel wasn't a match.
Neither was Carol.
Neither was Sophie's younger sister.
Hope disappeared from the room.
Until the doctor looked back at Sophie's medical file.
"There may be one more person we need to contact."
"Her biological father."
Silence filled the waiting room.
Daniel slowly turned toward Carol.
"What biological father?"
Carol frowned.
"I thought her father died years ago."
The doctor looked confused.
May you like
"According to her records..."
"...he's very much alive."
