"Are you pleading with me to save Grandma Li?" Ana's question was simply to ensure that she hadn't misheard something. "What can I get in return?" one of her lips smirked. "Can you just give up and leave Danish alone?" Luna's brows arched in surprise, despite her expectation that this girl would not do a favor for free.
She sank to the sofa in silence, a sad and irritated expression on her face. It wasn't that she didn't expect it to happen, but she had no idea it would be this difficult and agonizing to let go of Danish.
"All right, I'll do it," she finally decided, her voice heavy.
Ana drew her face closer to Luna, her hands pushing the paper on the table toward her, her intimidating eyes fixed on her.
"Then sign this agreement."
"Why would I?"
"This is how it works. Sign or you will lose your cherished grandmother. The decision is entirely in your hands."
Luna looked at the paper in disbelief after reading the statements on it. Ana not only asked her to cancel the marriage plans, but she also demanded that she and her family leave the city and never return.
Luna's mouth nearly popped open in protest. But she quickly closed it again before uttering a single word. Debating this girl would be pointless. Grandma Li couldn't wait any longer. The surgery had to be performed quickly.
She signed her name and handed the paper back to Ana. The signed statement in Ana's hand confirmed Luna's adherence to the content. She planned to leave the city as soon as Grandma Li recovered from her surgery.
***
"Can you persuade Luna to donate her blood to my mother?" Aunt Jangmi rushed over to Luna and inquired. Luna convincingly nodded her head. "What happened to her? Why isn't she accompanying you?"
"She is en route to the hospital. She'll be here in a few minutes." Luna comforted Aunt Jangmi by holding her shoulders. That woman exhaled a sigh of relief.
"I appreciate it, Luna."
"You should thank Ms. Ana Wang, aunty."
Luna tried to appear as normal as possible in front of aunt Jangmi. She didn't show how she felt on the inside. Her smile managed to conceal her sadness.
After that, Luna escorted Aunt Jangmi to her seat. That woman was sitting awkwardly. Her face was pale from anxiety. Worry had so messed up her feelings that she couldn't sit calmly. Her feet paced back and forth, worried about both her mother's safety and Ana's late arrival.
Ana's slim figure moved toward them in an elegant movement, like a model posing on the catwalk; the sunglasses framed her eyes. Her elbow was curled as usual, with a hand back dangling on it.
"Thank you very much for coming, Miss...Ana Wang." Aunt Jangmi greeted her with hasty steps.
"You don't have to thank me, Aunty. I am more than happy to assist, especially if it is for Grandma Li. She is like my own grandmother to me, even though she despises me."
"No, dear....I believe she will accept you after this."
"Aunty, I hope so. But I don't want to set unrealistic expectations."
"Have you gotten the donor yet?" A compassionate encounter and conversation were cut short by a nurse.
"Oh...yes…" Aunt Jangmi's trembling response conveyed relief.
"You are welcome to follow me." The nurse advised
"Ana.... I will definitely pay for what you did." Aunt Jangmi whispered. Ana turned to face Luna before following the nurse. Anna's face lit up with an indescribable smile.
***
Inside the operating room, the surgery was still in progress. Luna's lips vibrated in prayer, pleading to God for grandma Li's safe haven.
Aunt Jangmi and her husband, who had just arrived, stood near the door, tears still streaming down her cheeks. Her husband's fingers patiently wipe her sobs away while whispering comfort words.
Sandra Li kept her mouth shut as she sat alone on the bench, keeping her distance from the others. Her agony had weakened her to the point where she could no longer lift her chin.
One hour had passed with no sign of the operating room door opening.
"I'm hoping you'll keep your promise if her surgery goes well." Luna was startled by the whisper in her ear. Ana had been by her side without her being aware.
"You have my word on it. What matters most to me is Grandma Li's safety."
"That's great." Her plum lips curved into a satisfied grin.
They all turned to look at the open door, where a middle-aged man stood on the doorstep. Unlike the previous moment, his face was serene.
"How is the surgery going? How is my mother doing?" Aunt Jangmy couldn't stop herself from inquiring about her mother's condition.
"The operation went smoothly, and Mrs. Li is no longer in critical condition."
Aunt Jangmi expressed her comfort and happiness with gratitude. Grandma Li, her mother, was safe.
Her walk took her to Ana in a split second. Her mouth couldn't stop thanking the girl she assumed had saved her mother.
"I assure you that you will be welcomed into my family." Jangmi smiled contentedly behind her.
"In times of sadness and adversity, we all know who can be of assistance." Luna's heart was broken by Sandra's quick remark. Her words were unequivocally correct. Luna made no contribution to Grandma Li and her family. Her presence in this family only exacerbated their disagreement.
Luna was signaled to leave by Ana's blink at her. That was stated in the contract she signed. She couldn't make a deal anymore. She had no choice but to leave.
"Aunty… I have to leave because Grandma Li is in good health. Since yesterday, I haven't changed my clothes."
"Of course, dear..."
Luna's desire to say goodbye to Sandra faded; the woman turned away, ignoring her approach. Luna then left the hospital, her emotions jumbled.
She had to keep her word and stay away from them. But she had nowhere to go. It was impossible for her to return to her mother in the village; her mother would question her presence. She didn't even think about making an excuse.
Luna was still perplexed as to what decision she had to make while carelessly paving the curb in the rain. Her brain told her to cross the street, but her gaze was fixed on the ground beneath her feet. It was too late to notice the car gliding rapidly from her right side. Her scream raced alongside the raindrops and the car's roaring engine.