Instant Regrets Book II

Chapter 53

Lisa sat quietly in the dimly lit room, her eyes fixed on Lithan’s small, peaceful figure as he slept soundly beneath the soft blankets. The gentle rise and fall of his chest brought her a sense of calm she hadn’t felt in weeks. Since arriving in Thailand, all she had wanted was to hold him, to feel the warmth of his little body, and to know that he was safe. After a month of separation, the ache she’d endured finally eased when she could hold her son again.

But even as she watched him, another thought gnawed at her, persistent and unrelenting—Hyeong. Jennie’s son. Her son. The boy she had never met but whose life now weighed heavily on her conscience. He was sick, and Jennie had come to her, asking for help. Lisa couldn’t shake the image of Jennie’s desperate eyes from her mind, nor the knowledge that she might be the only hope for Hyeong’s survival. The thought consumed her, even in this moment of quiet with Lithan.

The door creaked open, and Amanda stepped in quietly. The soft sound barely disrupted the stillness of the room, but it was enough to catch Lisa's attention. Amanda noticed Lisa sitting beside Lithan's bed, her expression distant, her eyes clouded with worry. The usual spark in her was missing, replaced by a heaviness that weighed down her features. Concern flickered across Amanda's face as she walked over, sensing that something was deeply wrong.

Lisa had come home suddenly, earlier than expected, and it had taken Amanda by surprise. She had waited for this moment for days, wanting to talk to Lisa about something important—her father's decision regarding Lithan’s custody. It had been gnawing at her, the guilt of keeping it from Lisa building up inside her. But now, as she stood there, looking at Lisa's troubled face, Amanda knew that whatever was bothering Lisa seemed to be far more pressing. Maybe this wasn’t the right time to bring up such a heavy topic.

"Lisa?" Amanda's voice was soft as she approached, careful not to startle her. "You’ve been so quiet since you got back. Is everything okay?"

Lisa looked up, her eyes meeting Amanda’s for a brief moment. She hesitated before answering, knowing that the truth would come as a shock. With a deep sigh, she gestured for Amanda to sit down beside her. "There’s something I need to tell you,” she said, “It’s... it’s about why I came back so suddenly.” her voice heavy with the weight of her thoughts.

Amanda sat down, her eyes never leaving Lisa’s face. "What is it?"

Lisa took a breath, steadying herself for the revelation she was about to share. "It’s about Jennie... and Hyeong."

Amanda's brow furrowed deeply at the mention of Jennie, her lips pressed together as she absorbed the weight of Lisa’s words. The room felt heavier, the silence between them stretching with the tension of everything left unsaid.

Lisa sighed, her eyes resting on Lithan’s peaceful face, seeking solace in her son’s presence. "Hyeong... Jennie’s son... he’s really sick," she began, her voice soft but strained. "He needs a bone marrow transplant. Jennie came to me, asking for my help because... well, I’m his father. I might be the only match."

Amanda’s eyes widened in shock, her hand instinctively flying to her mouth. For a moment, she could only stare, struggling to process the bombshell that had just been dropped. "A bone marrow transplant? That’s... that’s serious," Amanda stammered. Having studied such cases, she knew the severity. "He must be in really bad shape."

Lisa nodded, her gaze still distant. "Jennie said he’s in critical condition, Amanda. And I’m the one who might be able to save him. I’m the closest match."

A heavy silence fell between them, Amanda’s thoughts racing. She had always known about the unresolved feelings and complicated history between Lisa and Jennie, but now, to hear that Lisa was being pulled back into Jennie’s life because of their son—it was almost too much to wrap her head around.

"I don’t know how I feel about this," Amanda finally murmured, her voice thick with emotion. "Jennie... I know what she means to you—or what she used to mean. But now you’re going to be pulled back into all of that, for your son. And I get it, Lisa. I do. But it’s just... a lot."

Lisa ran a hand through her hair, her frustration and confusion evident. "Trust me, I wasn’t prepared for any of this. Seeing Jennie again, hearing about Hyeong... it’s overwhelming. But I can’t think about what happened between us. Hyeong is the priority. He’s my son, and I need to do everything I can to save him."

Amanda nodded, but her face was still clouded with worry. "I understand that, Lisa. He’s your son, and I get why you have to help. But... seeing Jennie again? Facing all of that?"

"I have no choice," Lisa whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of the situation. "I’m his father. And the HLA typing test is tomorrow. I need to be there, Amanda."

Amanda’s heart ached for her, the conflict clear in her eyes. "I know. And I’m proud of you for doing the right thing. For stepping up when it matters most."

Lisa’s smile was small and filled with sadness, her shoulders slumped under the burden of everything that had been thrown at her. "Thank you. I’m going to need all the strength I can get."

Amanda hesitated for a moment, then placed a comforting hand on Lisa’s shoulder. "You’ll get through this. And I’ll be there with you. You’re not facing this alone."

Lisa looked at Amanda, surprised by her offer but too overwhelmed to find the right words. Instead, she nodded in gratitude, the relief clear on her face.

As they sat together in the quiet room, the air thick with unresolved tension and unspoken fears, Lisa knew the road ahead would be filled with challenges—both emotional and physical. But for the sake of her son, she had to face whatever came, even if it meant revisiting old wounds and confronting the ghosts of the past.