Trash Husband, I'm the Top novel Chapter 147

Aurora returned to the hospital.

The test for a bone marrow match had failed. Her heart ached, but the moment she saw Payne, she forced a smile for his sake.

Payne clung to her more than ever. As soon as Aurora walked in, he called out “Mommy” in his soft, childlike voice, reaching his arms up to be held.

Aurora kissed his forehead and lifted him into her arms, her voice trembling as she asked, “Payne, sweetheart, does anything else hurt?”

Payne stood up on her lap and planted a kiss on her cheek, trying to comfort her. “I’m okay, Mommy. Really, I’m fine.”

He’d spent so much of his young life in the hospital that the routines and the pain had become his normal.

“The doctors say I’m their bravest patient,” he said, pride lighting up his face.

Aurora felt tears sting her eyes again. She held him close, humming a lullaby as she stroked his hair, soothing him until he drifted off to sleep.

Once Payne was breathing softly, Aurora clung to his little hand, the IV taped to his skin, and broke down in silent sobs.

Payne, what can I do to save you?

Out in the hallway, Daniel watched everything unfold through the window. After dropping Monica off, he hadn’t driven away. Instead, against his better judgment, he’d found himself drawn here.

Watching Aurora cry made something twist painfully inside him.

He told himself he should hate her.

He should hate that she’d claimed to love him when her heart belonged to someone else.

He should hate the way she’d run back to Louis the moment he returned.

He should hate that she was divorcing him for the sake of the child.

And yet, he couldn’t help himself; he came to see her anyway, torturing himself in the process.

Will spoke quietly, updating him on Payne’s condition. “The boy was rushed to intensive care again today. The doctors said they need to find a matching donor as soon as possible. If it takes too long, even if a match is found, his body might not be strong enough for the transplant.”

Daniel’s gaze darkened. If anything happened to Payne, Aurora would never know happiness again.

He asked in a low voice, “What about her test results?”

Will shook his head. “Neither Mrs. Chambers nor Mr. Frost were a match.”

He’d secretly submitted his own blood for testing, but the results hadn’t come back yet.

The odds of a stranger being a suitable donor were painfully slim.

Aurora glanced up, eyes red and swollen. “What is it?”

He faltered, struggling to get the words out.

“I’d do anything to save Payne,” she whispered.

“Family matches are most likely,” Louis said quietly. “We could… try for another child.”

The words sounded heavy, even to him. He knew Aurora didn’t love him. She’d made it clear she was only here for Payne.

“No.” Aurora’s response was immediate and firm.

She clenched her fists, realizing how quickly she’d refused, and tried to explain.

But Louis just nodded, understanding. “I know. It’s too much to ask.”

Aurora pressed her lips together, unable to find the right words. He probably thought she didn’t really care about Payne—why else would she refuse?

After a long moment, she finally spoke. “I’ll go to the Quinn family. Maybe someone there could be a match.”

The Quinns were Payne’s family, too. Maybe, just maybe, there was still hope.