Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Alex nodded. “Okay.”
Twenty minutes later, Noah and Alex arrived at the school. They rushed to the nurse’s office and found the school nurse administering intravenous fluids to Axel.
Noah’s heart ached when he saw the pale Axel lying in bed.
He asked the nurse, “How is he? Has his fever gone down?”
“No, I recommend taking him to the hospital for a checkup, the nurse said.
She approached Axel, lifted his arm, and rolled up his sleeve.
His fair–skinned arm was covered in bruises and small red spots.
“What’s happening? Is this from school violence?” Alex asked in shock.
The nurse looked concerned. “No, I suspect it might be a different illness.”
Their voices woke Axel.
Noticing Axel was awake, Noah sat by his bed and held his cold hand “Axel.”
Axel weakly opened his eyes and softly called out, “Daddy.”
Noah reassured him, “I’m taking you to the hospital.”
Axel sighed. “Alright.”
As he tried to get up, a warm gush of blood streamed from his nose before he could sit properly.
Axel was stunned and looked at the bloodstain on Noah’s arm from his nosebleed.
“Axel? Why is your nose bleeding?” Noah’s voice trembled.
Axel wiped away his nosebleed with his hand. “It’s normal.”
Blood continued to flow as he wiped it away.
The nurse grabbed some tissues to stop Axel’s nosebleed, but Axel pushed her away. “It’s fine.”
The nurse said, “It will help stop the bleeding.”
Axel continued to wipe his nose, but his face turned red quickly. “It’s useless. It won’t stop–1
Axel’s face went pale before he could finish his sentence, and his eyes widened.
He spat out blood before covering his mouth with his hand.
Noah’s pupils dilated, and he grabbed some gauze, placing it under Axel’s chin. He turned to Alex and shouted anxiously, “Alex, have Reuben bring the car around!”
Axel coughed up blood as soon as Alex ended the call.
Noah’s face turned pale, and his hands shook uncontrollably. It was the first time Alex had seen Noah so terrified.
Thirty minutes later, Noah rushed Axel to Grand East, cradling him carefully. He hurried into the emergency department, gently placing Axel on a stretcher,
Trying to hide his own emotions, he comforted Axel, “I’ll be right outside. Don’t be scared.”
Axel breathed heavily and reassured him, T’m fine, don’t worry, Daddy”
Noah’s eyes welled up with tears.
Dr. Richie Webber then intervened, saying, “Mr. De Marco, we will take care of Mr. De Marco Jr.”
They wheeled Axel into the emergency room
As Axel’s cold, little hands slipped from Noah’s grasp, a profound sense of helplessness consumed him. He watched Axel disappear behind the emergency room doors.
Alex approached Noah, patted his shoulder, and tried to encourage him. “Don’t worry. He’s going to be fine.”
Noah’s gaze remained fixed on the emergency room, his face tense.
“Ms. Love!” a voice cried out.
Alex turned and saw Daniella clutching a doctor’s coat, anxiously holding a report.
The impatient doctor said, “I can’t assess the severity of his condition based on a report alone. You need to bring your child for a consultation. How many times must I repeat that?”
Daniella sobbed loudly. “Would I be begging if I could bring the child here?”
The doctor sighed in frustration. “The report doesn’t look promising. I can’t say more. Please, stop blocking me. I’m busy.”
He walked away. Daniella was disappointed, her head hanging low.
Alex wondered, Who is the child Daniella is referring to? It can’t be Axel, can it? She hasn’t interacted with him in so long.”
Meanwhile, on the top floor of Grand East.
River was signing the surgery consent forms. She handed them back to Deric and asked, “How long will the surgery take?”
Deric replied, “Three to four hours. A craniotomy is a major procedure.”
River nodded. “I understand. Please do everything you can to save Ms. Smith.”
“We will. Don’t worry.” Deric turned and headed to Lily’s room
Shortly after, Lily was wheeled out on a stretcher, and River followed her to the operating room. Her heart ached when she saw Lily’s sunken cheeks, and she hoped the doctors could bring her back to consciousness.
As Lily was being wheeled into the operating room, River’s phone rang. She took the call when she noticed the caller was Scott.
Scott asked, “Are you at the hospital, River?”
River sat down. “I am. Lily was taken into the operating room ahead of schedule.”
“But wasn’t it supposed to be at 2:00 p.m.?” Scott asked.
River explained, “Noah arranged for a team to treat Lily, and they said they could start the surgery as soon as I arrived”
Scott replied, “Understood. I’ll be there.”
River hesitated, then said, “It’s okay. Don’t come if you’re busy at the hospital.
Scott insisted, “I’ve already requested time off. Don’t deny me; be kind.”
River relented. “Alright then, I’m on the top floor of Grand East’s inpatient department.”
“I’ll be there in about 15 minutes.”
“See you.”
River glanced at the operating theater after ending the call. An uneasy feeling gnawed at her chest as if something terrible would happen. She battled the sense of suffocation, wondering. ‘Am I just too nervous?’
Taking slow, deep breaths, she waited for Lily.
The minutes ticked by, stretching into what felt like hours.
Finally, Scott hurried over to her. He approached swiftly as soon as he spotted River. She looked up, greeted him, and rose from her seat. “You’re here,” she said.
Scott handed her a cup of her favorite flat white coffee. “This should help you relax,” he said
“Thank you,” River replied, accepting the coffee. They sat together, glancing nervously at the illuminated sign above the operating theater
Scott asked. “How much time has passed?”
River checked her watch. “Almost 20 minutes.”
Scott reassured her, “Craniotomies take time. Noah’s team consists of specialists from abroad.
Everything will be okay.”
River tried to ease her anxiety but still felt uneasy. “I’m probably overthinking it.”
Scott comforted her, “It’s natural to feel this way when someone close is undergoing surgery.”
Downstairs, Richie emerged from the emergency cy room
Noah and Alex rushed forward, eager for an update.
“How’s he doing?” Noah asked, his tone icy
Richie hesitated, then disclosed, “Mr. De Marco, his condition is quite serious. We need to conduct further examinations”
Noah’s anger flared. Tell us the truth!”
Richie hesitated again before delivering the grim news. “The preliminary diagnosis is acute
“Leukemia?” Alex exclaimed
Noah’s world seemed to spin as he processed the devastating diagnosis. ‘Acute leukemia?”
Richie sighed, recognizing the distress in Noah’s expression. “It appears Mr. De Marco Jr. has been experiencing symptoms for some time. Have you noticed his nosebleeds, body aches, low spirits, and reduced appetite?”
Noah was stunned. I… I think so. I did notice he was moving slowly.”
Richie spoke in a blaming tone. “He can’t walk fast when his body aches.”
Noah felt a crushing weight on his chest. He had never witnessed Axel’s nosebleeds or realized how long his son had suffered. He had assumed Axel’s symptoms were due to his longing to see
River.
Noah’s eyes reddened. ‘How could I have been so blind to my own son’s pain?
Alex could see the answer written on Noah’s face. He turned to Richie and urged, “Please conduct the necessary tests promptly and initiate treatment.”
Richie explained, “There’s a 60% chance that a bone marrow transplant for stem cell production will be required”
“Find a donor then! Locate a suitable one as quickly as possible, regardless of the cost!” Noah demanded, his anger boiling over.
Richie began. “Mr. De Marco, the suitable donor-”
“Enough with excuses! Just do your best to find one!” Alex interrupted firmly.
Daniella was hidden in the corner of the emergency room and had overheard their conversation.