Page 119 of Heartless

On my way through the popular vegan restaurant, I waved at Joel who was sitting at the table.Jake had insisted on dropping me off after making me check my cell battery twice.I usually loved being in new places and could easily lose myself in memorizing every detail of foreign environments.But right now, I was busy trying to deep-breathe through my pummeling heartbeat and focus on not tripping over my high heels.

When I arrived at the table, Joel stood up.After a peck on my cheek, he pulled my chair out.“Thank you for coming, Sienna.”

Once I was settled, I crossed my legs and watched my half-brother.In his navy-blue dress shirt open at the collar and dark-wash jeans, he carried himself well but without the offensive entitlement Nigel did.

I cleared my throat.“How are you?”

A brief closed mouth smile slit his neatly trimmed beard.“I’ve taken the liberty to order for us.”

Right.He was, after all, his father’s son.I sat up and rolled my shoulders back.

While the server poured water in our glasses, I fished my cell out of my purse and set it under my knee.A basket of warm rolls, and a long platter of colorful finger food were placed on the table.As soon as the server retreated, Joel took the breadbasket and offered me a roll.

After I’d helped myself, he waited until I spread the piece of roll with cashew butter before he started.

“Sienna, can I be forthright with you?”

Placing the warm bread and the knife on my side plate, I nodded.“Please.”

His tone was low.“Our dad is sick.Really sick.”

I hoped I was able to hide my wince at ‘our dad’.“What’s wrong with him?”

The doctor in him clasped his hands over the table.“He has AAT deficiency.It’s a genetic disorder that causes lung and liver disease and can lay dormant for decades.Two years ago, he started developing symptoms...”

The more he talked, the faster my heartbeat kicked.

Joel frowned and touched my fist clenched tight around the napkin.“Sienna, I’m sorry.I know this is very upsetting.”His smile didn’t reach his eyes.“I should have let you have lunch, first.”

He leaned back, releasing his heavy grip from my hand, and I straightened the askew butter knife beside my plate.“It’s all right.I’m really sorry Joel.”

And I was for the child in him about to lose a parent.He jerked his chin and continued.“I know you’ve found each other very recently, but he’s going to die if we don’t help him.”

I was about to speak, but I didn’t get a word out because Joel’s eyes had become glassy.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he cleared his throat.“He needs a new lung and a new liver, and I’m not a match.”His expression darkened as he slanted close again and pitched his voice lower.“You’re family, so you might as well know.When he was diagnosed, we found out he’s not my biological father.”

My body sprung straight.A mini explosion popped into my mind, and I gaped at him.The only son Nigel had claimed as his child...wasn’t his?

I blinked and slumped back.“Joel, I don’t know what to say, I—”

“But he’s the only father I know.”As if he hadn’t just thrown a grenade over our untouched plates, he continued.“I looked at the bloodwork you provided during the DNA test, and you have the same rare blood type.You’re genetically affiliated, which makes you the perfect candidate.There’re also less risks of rejection if the organs come from the same donor.”After a short pause, his voice choked.“I’m here to ask...to beg you to help me save our father.”

I knew he’d ask, but hearing it was...I could only stare at him.

Joel exhaled slowly, and his tone softened.“Sienna, I know how big this is, but you’ve lost your mother from a terrible disease, so I know you understand.Dad doesn’t have much time, and—”

My voice finally unstuck.“Where’s Nigel?”

“At home.He’s fit for a man his age, but the surgery will take a toll, so he’s resting.”

I pushed my back into the cushioned chair.“Joel, I can’t help—”

His hands moved fast to trap mine again.“Sienna, you’re young, healthy, and you have your whole life in front of you.You’ll be giving Dad the rest of his life.”

My cell dug into the back of my fidgety leg, and I gently pulled my hand from his grasp.“Joel, there are things you don’t know.I—”

“Dad had you investigated, and from your yearly visits to a cardiologist, I deduced some form of CHD?”When I nodded, he continued.“It’s not the deterrent it used to be.Huge progress has been made in the field, and we’ll provide you with the best specialists.You’ll be well taken care of, Sienna.”