Chapter 516 For Margaret, Take a Gamble
Rufus had a gut feeling about why Raymond was dodging the surgery.
He glanced cautiously at the man in the wheelchair. "Mr. Howard, aren't you curious about who your bone marrow donor is?"
"I don't wanna know," Raymond replied flatly.
Rufus had promised Margaret to keep it under wraps.
But now, it seemed he had no choice but to spill the beans.
"It's Ms. Hughes."
Raymond and Alvin both looked up in shock at Rufus.
"Ms. Hughes came to see you last night, then she came to my office to check your medical records. She did a bone marrow match. Ms. Hughes asked me to keep it a secret, so I didn't tell you," Rufus sighed.
Hope flickered in Alvin's eyes as he turned to Raymond. "Mr. Howard, did you hear that? Mrs. Margaret Howard is your bone marrow donor. She still cares about you."
Raymond's eyes reddened at the news.
He blinked, still unable to believe it. Margaret hated him so much; why would she donate her bone marrow to him?
"You're not lying to me?"
"Mr. Howard, you can check the surveillance footage. Last night, I escorted Ms. Hughes out of the hospital."
In the surveillance room, Rufus had the footage pulled up.
The video showed Margaret leaving Raymond's room, taking the elevator to Rufus's office.
Half an hour later, Margaret went to have her blood drawn, with Rufus by her side the entire time.
After the procedure, Rufus escorted Margaret out of the hospital.
Raymond's nose tingled with emotion as he watched the footage.
He couldn't hold back any longer.
Tears streamed down his cheeks, falling onto his pale hands resting on his lap.
It really was Margaret.
Rufus hadn't lied.
She wasn't as tough as she pretended to be; she hadn't let go of him.
Knowing that Margaret was the donor, Raymond seemed like a changed man.
He diligently adhered to his treatment and underwent all necessary tests.
For Margaret, he would persevere and be strong.
That night, Raymond was too excited to sleep, thinking about how Margaret still cared for him. The smile on his face never faded.
The next day.
In the afternoon.
The sun was shining brightly, painting the sky a warm red.
Alvin stayed with Raymond instead of going to The Hughes Group. He wanted to see Mr. Howard enter the operating room with his own eyes.
Raymond wanted to go outside and feel the fresh air.
Alvin pushed his wheelchair out of the hospital.
The street was bustling with life.
Vendors lined the sidewalks, selling snacks, beauty products, and offering haircuts. Young couples walked by, hand in hand, smiling happily.
An elderly couple, both with white hair, leaned on their canes and supported each other as they walked slowly.
A middle-aged woman hurried by, holding the hand of a child with a backpack.
Everything seemed so beautiful, so happy.
Raymond smiled, thinking that if his surgery was successful, he and Margaret could be this happy too.
They walked down the street, through the crowd, holding their child.
But his surgery had only a twenty percent chance of success.
This time, he wasn't sure if luck would be on his side again.
Raymond noticed a small cart at the corner of the street, adorned with red strings. He looked up at Alvin. "Push me over there."
At the cart, the owner, a woman in her thirties with her hair tied back, was helping her daughter with homework. The little girl was beautiful, with delicate features, a budding beauty. She held a pencil, working on her assignments.
Noticing Raymond watching, she turned and offered, "Sir, would you like to buy one of my handmade lucky strings?"
"Do they really bring luck?" Raymond asked, eyeing the red strings, each with a small bell attached. The wind made the bells chime, a clear and pleasant sound.
Alvin chimed in, "He's having surgery tonight."
"Then you definitely need one of my lucky strings. It will make your wishes come true and bring you good luck," the owner said with a smile. "As long as you believe sincerely, you'll have good fortune."
Whether it brought luck or not, Raymond gave Alvin a look, and Alvin paid for a string.
The little girl, holding her homework, cautiously approached Raymond. "Sir, are you sick?"
"Yes," Raymond replied, momentarily stunned by her clear, bright eyes. They reminded him of Margaret's eyes, once so pure. He had lost that.
"Does it hurt?" the girl asked, blinking.
Raymond shook his head. "No, it doesn't hurt."
The girl took the red string from her mother and bravely tied it around Raymond's wrist. "Sir, you're lying. When I had a cold, getting shots hurt a lot. How can being sick not hurt? But you're a good person, so you'll definitely be okay. Sir, can I sing you a song? I'm a good singer."
"Sure."
The girl's voice was young and a bit off-key. Sitting in his wheelchair, Raymond was moved by her song. Yes, he had endured so many hardships, so many trials. This was a test from above. If he could get through these thorns, he would find happiness. He couldn't be defeated now.
Perhaps it was the comfort from a stranger, but the gloom in Raymond's heart lifted. His nose tingled, and his emotions were complex. His eyes grew moist with gratitude.
After thanking the girl and her mother, he left. He thought, if he survived this, if he and Margaret reconciled, their child would be as bright and beautiful as this little girl.
In the evening, Raymond was wheeled into the operating room. The bright lights were blinding, shining on his face. He squinted.
Rufus took the syringe filled with anesthetic from his assistant. The long, thin needle pierced his skin. Raymond felt tired, exhausted. His large hand covered the lucky string on his wrist. As his consciousness faded, he kept reminding himself.
'For Margaret, survive. For Margaret, the surgery must succeed. Margaret, I will come back to you.' He wondered.
His eyelids grew heavy. He saw Margaret. She was just as she had been when they first met, turning to look at him in the crowd. Just one glance, and she had brightened his once dull and hopeless life.
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