Her Heart

Chapter 43

Olivia's POV

It was a race against time getting those three assholes. We're waiting for the doctor right now to tell us if any of their hearts are a match for Carter.

The room is filled with the low murmur of anxious conversations and the occasional shuffle of footsteps.

I'm gonna get a hard scolding later but right now I don't even care. I just need to know if any of them are a match.

I glance over at Riley, who's sitting on the edge of a chair, her face pale and her hands clenched tightly in her lap. Her eyes are fixed on the door, as if willing it to open and bring good news. I can see the strain etched into her features, her usual composure frayed by the stress and fear of the situation.

In the corner of the room, Mama and Mom are sitting together, their expressions as worried as Riley's. They haven't spoken much, their concern evident in the way they keep exchanging glances and fidgeting with their hands. Aunt Kai and Aunt Hazel are also here, their faces lined with exhaustion and anxiety.

Jayden is pacing back and forth.

I go and sit next to Riley. She looks up at me, her eyes red-rimmed and tired, but she manages a small, grateful smile.

"It's gonna be fine, don't worry." I tell her. I don't even know if I believe myself.

Riley nods, though her eyes never leave the door. "I just keep thinking... what if it's not enough? What if none of them are a match? Did I make a mistake by not staying with them?"

I can see the guilt and anxiety etched into her face. It's clear she's carrying the weight of this decision heavily. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my own nerves.

"Carter loves you." I say softly, "I never thought she would fall in love but I see the way her eyes light up when she looks at you. She would have never been able to live with herself if you gave up your life for hers."

Her shoulders relax slightly, "Thank you, Olivia."

I nod, feeling a sense of connection with her that I hadn't expected. "You know," I say, my tone lighter, "You can call me Liv."

Her eyes widen in surprise, and for a second, I catch a glimmer of relief in her gaze. "Liv? Are you sure?"

"Yeah," I reply, offering her a small smile. "I think we're past the point of formalities, don't you?"

She lets out a shaky laugh, nodding. "Thank you."

Silence settles between us, but it's more comfortable now, like the air has cleared just a bit. I glance over at the door, my stomach twisting with anxiety as we wait for the doctor. There's still so much at stake, and every second feels like an eternity.

Riley shifts beside me, drawing my attention back to her. She reaches out, her hand gently resting on my forearm. "Hey," she says, her voice soft. "Sofia's going to be okay too, you know that, right?"

Her words catch me off guard, hitting me in a place I've tried to ignore. I feel my throat tighten, the emotions I've been holding back threatening to break free. "I... I know," I manage to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "She's so strong, but this time it's different."

Riley squeezes my arm, her grip firm yet comforting. "You're strong too, Liv. Stronger than you think. And Sofia has you—she's going to fight because she knows you're here for her."

For a moment, I can't find my voice, a thousand memories of Sofia flooding my mind. I look away, blinking rapidly to push back the tears threatening to spill.

"When we were kids we were inseparable. I fell in love with her the second I knew what that word meant. She had this way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the world."