Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Emma sat in silence at Dr. Shawn's office, her heart pounding as he delivered the news. Her mind was lost in thoughts; yes, she knew her brother’s situation wasn't getting better, but to hear that he wasn’t responding to the chemotherapy treatment was disheartening.

His voice was calm but heavy carrying the weight of what he had to say.

“Emma, I’m afraid the chemotherapy isn’t working as we’d hoped,” Dr. Shawn began. His eyes were full of emotions, showing sympathy. “However, there’s an experimental clinical trial being developed by a group of scientists. The success rate looks promising, but…” His voice trailed off.

Emma’s breath hitched. “But what, Dr. Shawn?”

“They’re looking for sponsors. Funding is crucial to get this trial started, and even then, only a select number of patients will be accepted,” he explained.

Emma’s face fell, and suddenly the room fell tiny. Her chest got all tight and worried. “Please, Doctor, you have to make sure my brother gets a spot. He deserves a chance; you can see it yourself; he's just a little kid to be going through all this pain”

Dr. Shawn sighed softly. “I’ll do what I can. But without the funds, it’s out of my hands. I’ll keep you informed as things progress. But I can't promise you anything.”

Emma nodded and forced a smile through her sadness, even though the hope of her brother being part of the trial stands in a very thin line. 

“We’ll hold on until the trial begins.” But as she left the office, tears pricked her eyes. Holding on was all they had been doing for so long; she wanted to give up, but for her brother's sake, she couldn't. She has to continue to hope for the best.

As she stepped outside, the weight of the news hit her fully. She paused, leaning against the cold wall of the hallway, her breath wasn't stable. 

The hope of Lukas being chosen for the trial felt like a thread, so thin it might snap at any moment. She wanted to scream, to cry—but instead, she took a deep breath, wiped her eyes and headed home.

Emma found Lukas sitting on the couch by his bedside, watching the TV. She took a deep breath trying to prepare herself for the conversation ahead.

 She quietly walked into her brother’s room with a tray full of fruits. At the sight of him, she paused; his face was pale and his eyes sunken. “Go away, Emma; I told you I'm not ready for your chitchat on how I will get better.”

“I’m not getting better, Emma. We’ve sold everything. The house, the car—what more can we give up? I’m tired of living like this.” Lukas voice cracked with frustration and despair. 

Emma kneeled beside him, holding his hand tightly. “Don’t say that. The doctor told me about a new trial—it could save your life. We just need to hang on a little longer and also pray you are being chosen.”

Lukas shook his head. He was not interested in any clinical trials at this point; he’s just ready to give up. He has been the reason things haven't been going well for them.

“I’m not interested in the clinical trial when it starts, considering it's even on a selection basis.” Lukas shouted with anger in his tone.

“Why the hell not?” Emma interrupted, her voice sharper than she intended. “Dr. Shawn said this is your best shot at getting better.

Lukas nodded his head; his sister was not understanding things from his view; he was already frustrated with his conditions and didn't want to fight any longer. “Well, it's not up to you; it's my body, and I refuse.”

Emma clenched her fists, trying to hold back the frustration building inside her. She had tried so hard to stay calm, but Lukas' refusal to even consider the trial pushed her over the edge.

“Excuse me,” Emma snapped. ”It's up to me; I’m your older sister, and you’re getting the treatment whether you like it or not.”

“You’re not even my real sister; you were adopted.” Throwing the tray of fruit Emma was holding.

“Lukas! Emma’s voice wavered, her heart tightening as the words hit deep. How can you say that? Blood or no blood, I’m your sister for life!” Lukas felt the pain in Emma’s tone, knowing his words tore deep into her heart. He stepped down from the bed and assisted Emma, who was trying to pick up the pieces of fruit from the ground.

“I can’t keep dragging you down, Emma.” hugging his sister to make her feel his pains. “After Mom and Dad died, you dropped out of college to take care of me; you sold our house to pay for my medical treatment; you gave up everything for me just… Stop. Go and live your life; you are a young, pretty girl.”

“You are my life, Lukas, and all I have left.” a fierce determination hardened her voice. “And I would do anything to keep you safe.”

Emma stood up abruptly, her mind racing. She was already overwhelmed by the growing medical bills, the pressure of keeping Lukas alive, and the fact that they could barely feed at that moment.

Emma stood up, picked up her phone, and went outside her apartment. She was about to call Aunt Jane, her late mom’s friend, whom she had reached out to for a job. 

She stood for a minute; she had to do something. The fact was that she was already getting tired of the whole situation, but she couldn't give up. Lukas was her only brother; he is all she has left; he can’t die.

Phone ringing… 

“Hey Emma, Aunt Jane greeted with joy in her tone.” Emma could sense the excitement from her tone. “Aunt Jane, please tell me you have good news for me. I really need a job, as you already know my current situation.”

Aunt Jane smiled from her side. “Yes, darling Emma — I do have a job for you; it’s unconventional and requires whether or not you are up to it.” A whoop of excitement escapes Emma’s lips as she jumps for joy. “Thank you so much, Aunt Jane. I would do anything at this point; I just need a job.”

“Emma, you haven’t even heard what the job is all about, and you are so happy. It's a contract marriage with someone, and he gets to pay you $350,000.”

Emma was dumbfounded for a second. The words felt foreign, strange, as if spoken by someone else. 

She repeated, ‘A contract marriage?’ A feverish anxiety consumed her mind, she echoed, barely able to process the words. "You mean… I'd have to marry a stranger?"

How could she possibly marry a stranger?