Page 69 of Doctor Neighbor

"And if none of us match?" I can barely get the words out.

"Then we'll turn to the national bone marrow registry," Buster says gently. "There are millions of potential donors registered. We'll do everything we can to find a match for Maddie."

I nod, trying to process all this information. "What's the next step?"

"We'll start the testing process immediately," Dr. Bellinger says. "We'll take blood samples from you and Maddie's father. In the meantime, we'll begin preparing Maddie for the transplant."

I sit in the cold hospital chair, my mind reeling. Maddie's life hangs in the balance, and I'm faced with an impossible situation. Steele, Maddie's supposed father, isn't even in the picture. He's never acknowledged her, never been there for us. How can I reach out to him now?

Buster's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts. "Cole, I know it's difficult, but we must contact Maddie's father. His blood could be the match we're looking for."

And then it occurs to me. Buster could be the match.

I nod numbly, unable to form words. The weight of my secret presses down on me. Should I tell Buster now? That I suspect he might be Maddie's father? The timing feels all wrong, but with Maddie's life at stake, does timing even matter anymore?

A nurse approaches with a tray of equipment. "Ms. Johnson, we're ready to take your blood sample now."

I roll up my sleeve mechanically, watching as they draw my blood. It's a small thing, really, compared to what Maddie's going through. But it seems uncomfortable, at best, and could mean everything.

As the nurse walks away, I turn to Buster. His presence has been my anchor through this nightmare. He's been here every step of the way, explaining things and comforting me. And now, I might have to turn his world upside down.

"Buster," I start, my voice barely above a whisper. "There's something I need to tell you."

He leans in, his eyes full of concern. "What is it, Cole?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself. This isn't how I wanted to have this conversation, but Maddie's life is on the line. I have to do whatever it takes to save my daughter.

"It's about Maddie's father," I begin, my heart pounding in my chest. "I... I think there's a possibility that…"

TWENTY-THREE

Buster

3:19 pm

I stand there, stunned, as Cole's words hang in the air between us. Madeline could be my daughter? My mind races, trying to process this bombshell while also grappling with Madeline's dire medical situation.

"Why... why didn't you tell me this before?" I manage to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Cole's eyes fill with tears. "I... I wasn't sure. I only started suspecting recently."

I do some quick mental math, piecing together the timeline of our previous encounters. It's possible, I realize with a jolt. And now that I think about it, I can see some similarities in Madeline's features that I hadn't noticed before.

A surge of anger rises in me, but I tamp it down. This isn't the time or place to hash out the implications of Cole's revelation. Right now, Madeline's life is hanging in the balance.

Without hesitation, I turn to Allen, the nurse hovering nearby. "I need you to take my blood and run the test to see if I'm a match," I say firmly.

The nurse gives me a puzzled look, clearly taken aback by a surgeon volunteering to be tested as a potential donor for a patient. But to her credit, she doesn't question it further.

"Of course, Dr. Hankel," she says, reaching for a fresh needle and vial. "I'll get this to the lab right away."

As Allen draws my blood, I catch Cole's eyes. There's fear, hope, and a silent plea for understanding in them. We have much to discuss, but it'll have to wait. Right now, all that matters is saving Madeline's life—my potential daughter's life.

5:39 pm

I am startled when Liesle bursts into the hospital room, her face a mix of concern and determination. She immediately wraps Cole in a tight hug, then turns to me with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Cole, you need to go home," Liesle says firmly. "Shower, change your clothes, rest in your own bed. Even if it's just for a few hours."

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