Chapter 160: He needs more.

The moment Rocco confirms the heartbeat, his entire demeanour changes. The exhaustion disappears from his face, replaced by the sharp concentration of a man who knows he has very little time to waste.

"Step away. Both of you."

I barely move.

"Nerissa, I need you to step back," he repeats, already turning towards Lysander.

Fernando gently takes my arm and pulls me away from the table.

Rocco has reaches for the equipment beside him, checking the readings while calling out for Daniel.

"Daniel! Get back in here. Now!"

A moment later, Daniel rushes through the door.

"Sir?"

"Check his vitals again. I want his blood pressure, oxygen saturation and pulse. Get the fluids ready."

Daniel immediately gets to work.

I stand beside Fernando, watching them move around Lysander.

My eyes keep returning to his face.

He’s still not moving.

"Is he alive?"

Rocco doesn’t look up.

"Yes."

"Then why isn’t he waking up?"

"Nerissa, I need you to calm down."

"How am I supposed to calm down when he’s lying there like that?"

Rocco finally looks at me.

"His heartbeat has returned, but he’s still critically ill. He’s lost a dangerous amount of blood, and we need to stabilise him. He’s not out of danger yet."

I swallow.

"Can you save him?"

"We’re doing everything we can."

That’s not the answer I wanted but I don’t have the strength to demand another one.

I take a step towards the table, only for Fernando to catch my arm.

"Come on. Let’s get you outside."

I turn towards him.

"What?"

"You need to sit down and get some rest."

"I’m fine."

He looks at my bloodstained dress, then at my hands.

"You’re exhausted, Nerissa."

"I said I’m fine."

"You’re shaking."

I glance down at myself...He’s right. My hands are trembling, and my legs feel strangely weak, but I couldn’t care less.

"I’m not leaving him."

"Nerissa..."

"I’m not leaving him, Fernando."

He exhales, looking towards Rocco.....Rocco glances at me briefly.

"I need space to work. You can wait outside, but please don’t make this more difficult."

I press my lips together.

I don’t want to leave. The thought of walking out of this room while Lysander is fighting for his life makes my stomach turn but I reluctantly step back, allowing Fernando to guide me towards the door.

I remain close enough to see what’s happening.

After a moment, Rocco turns towards us.

"Fuck."

My stomach drops.

"What is it?"

He looks at Daniel, then back at us.

"He needs a blood transfusion as soon as possible. He’s lost too much blood."

Fernando curses under his breath as Rocco wipes his forehead with the back of his hand.

"Where’s Jeremiah? I need him for the transfusion like yesterday."

"He’s on his way."

"Well, he needs to get here quickly. Lysander has a heartbeat, but it’s very faint. If we don’t stabilise him, he could still die."

Fernando immediately reaches for his phone.

I look at him. Then I think about the distance between the penthouse and this estate.

Jeremiah isn’t here, even if he leaves immediately, it will take time for him to arrive.

And we don’t have that time....We can’t risk waiting.

I step forward.

"Use mine."

Fernando’s head whips towards me.

"What?"

I look directly at Rocco.

"Use my blood."

He studies me for a moment.

"We don’t know if you’re a match."

"Then check."

"Nerissa, this isn’t something we can just....."

"Jeremiah might get here too late!" I interrupt, my voice rising. "You heard what he said. Lysander is in a critical condition. We can’t sit around waiting for someone who might not get here in time. Use me."

Rocco looks at Fernando.

Fernando looks between us before releasing a frustrated breath.

"Can she do it?"

"If she’s compatible, yes. But we need to test her first."

"Then do it."

Rocco nods.

"Daniel, prepare a sample."

I don’t wait for anyone to change their mind.

"Please. Hurry."

Fernando pulls a chair towards me.

"Sit."

I drop into it, barely noticing how unsteady my legs have become.

Rocco and Daniel move quickly. I hold out my arm while Rocco draws a blood sample and Daniel begins preparing the necessary tests.

Everything happens so fast.

I watch them work, my eyes occasionally drifting towards Lysander.

A minute later, Rocco returns.

"You’re compatible."

I release a breath I didn’t realise I’d been holding.

I’m not prayerful. I don’t spend my days kneeling beside a bed or asking God for favours.

But right then, I look upwards and say a quick, desperate thank you to the man upstairs.

"Let’s get started," Rocco says.

He moves towards me and begins preparing the equipment.

I watch him work, my heart pounding.

"There’s something you need to understand," he says, looking directly at me. "I don’t have all the necessary equipment here. We’re doing what we can with what we have. You’ve already been through a lot, so I need you to pay attention to your body."

I nod.

"If you start feeling dizzy, weak or even slightly woozy, you tell me immediately. Do you understand? I need you to let me know so I can stop."

"Okay."

"I’m serious, Nerissa."

"I understand."

He gives Daniel an instruction, and they begin.

I feel the initial prick of the needle before settling back into the chair.

Time passes, though I can’t tell how much.

Rocco occasionally checks on me, asking how I’m feeling. I nod each time, assuring him I’m fine.

But gradually, something begins to change.

My head feels lighter, then there’s a strange sensation in my stomach, followed by a faint dizziness.

I blink several times.

It’s nothing, I can handle it.....Lysander needs this.

He needs my blood to survive, and I have no intention of stopping before he gets enough.

I shift slightly in the chair and look towards Rocco. He’s focused on the process, occasionally checking the equipment and speaking to Daniel and I don’t want to interrupt him.

Another wave of dizziness hits.

I swallow, my fingers curling around the edge of the chair.

Still, I say nothing.

I can do this....just a little longer.

My vision begins to blur around the edges and I blink, trying to clear it, but the room seems to tilt slightly.

Rocco looks towards me.

"Nerissa?"

I try to answer.

"I’m..."

The word barely leaves my mouth.

He moves closer, tapping my cheek lightly.

"Nerissa. Look at me."

I feel the tapping, but everything seems distant.

His voice sounds like it’s coming from somewhere far away.

I try to open my eyes properly but they won’t stay open.

"She’s losing consciousness," Daniel says.

Rocco immediately stops what he’s doing.

"That’s enough."

He moves the drip towards my hand, adjusting it while Daniel supports my arm.

I try to lift my head.

No. No, that’s not enough....he needs more.

I struggle to reach for the line, my fingers moving clumsily.

"Wait..."

Rocco looks at me.

"Nerissa, stop moving."

I shake my head weakly.

"He..."

My tongue feels heavy.

"He needs..."

I try to look towards Lysander, but my vision is swimming.

"More..."

My body suddenly feels too heavy to hold upright.

I feel myself slipping sideways, and before I can understand what’s happening, a pair of arms catches me.

Someone calls my name, then another voice but I can’t make out the words.

The last thing I feel is someone holding me as the room disappears around me.

And then...Everything goes blank.