Chapter 1 01

The blaring sound of the horn and tires skidding on the road made Giovana let go of the bag she was holding and close her eyes so tightly that she could feel her head throbbing with pain. Still shaking, she felt the hot steam coming from the hood of the car touch her leg. When she finally opened her eyes, she could hardly believe that the vehicle had come so close to killing her. It would be another terrible tragedy in less than twenty-four hours. She looked up at the driver, who was already getting out of the car in chaotic traffic and walking furiously towards her.

"Crazy woman!" If you don't watch where you're going, you won't be so lucky next time.

But she had no time for such threats. She barely looked the man in the eye and started walking away again, when she remembered the bag, she had dropped. Five steps later, she was back at the place where she almost died, and the irresponsible driver was still there, saying absurd things that she wouldn't even have a chance to answer.

With her heart still pounding in her chest, Giovana entered the hospital and stopped in front of the reception desk. She closed her eyes momentarily, praying that Gina was all right and that she could calm down immediately enough to help her.

"I've come to see Gina Lens," she felt the words catch in her throat.

The receptionist looked at the woman in front of her, then back at the computer screen with pure disdain.

"Only family members are allowed in," she said, avoiding eye contact with Giovana.

"I'm her sister," she concluded impatiently, "and I'm responsible for paying all the medical bills."

The receptionist's countenance changed dramatically and, without filling in any information, she allowed Giovana to enter, indicating where she would find Gina.

As she hurried down the corridor, not knowing exactly where she was going, Giovana remembered the call she had received from her mother hours before.

"They took Gina to the hospital. I need your help."

It was always like that. Few words, no sentimentality, and a lot of demands. Giovana was just a means of meeting the needs of her mother and sister. But she loved Gina and couldn't bear the thought of losing her one day.

She spotted her mother from afar and knew that was where she had to go. Irma, on noticing her presence, looked at her with contempt and didn't react.

"How is she?" she asked, but the woman didn't look at her.

It was as if Giovana didn't exist to her.

"How should I know?" the harshness in her words showed that Irma didn't have the patience to talk to her, "you're her confidante, you should know what Gina is up to."

"I should know?" she closed her eyes, running her fingers over her aching temples. She needed to calm down. Arguing with Irma wouldn't help Gina. "You brought her to the hospital without knowing why?"

"She was complaining of severe abdominal pain and even fainted in the car," she concluded coldly, "they took her to a room and I haven't heard from her since."

Giovana knew that Irma's coldness was only because of her presence. Gina had always been her favorite daughter, so she was sure that even though she didn't seem to care, inside Irma was devastated.

"And where is your husband?" "I don't know how Antony put up with you for so long."

"I'm not here to hear your opinion about my marriage. I just want to see my sister."

A mocking smile appeared on Irma's lips and before she could return the teasing, the bedroom door opened and a man stepped out. He was wearing a lab coat and had a badge pinned to it. He looked tired, as if he was carrying devastating news.

"Are you related to Gina Lens?"

"I'm her mother," she said proudly in desperation, causing Giovana to feel disgusted.

"Unfortunately, Gina will need a blood transfusion. She's severely anemic."

"Is her life at risk?" Giovana's eyes widened in disbelief.

"Unfortunately, yes," replied the doctor, and Giovana didn't like the look on his face.

"Are you telling me that Gina could die?" Irma despaired. Irma's maternal tenderness was directed only at Gina. It had been like that all her life.

On the other side, Giovana was trying to assimilate the information. How had Gina's health gotten to that point? Or perhaps she hadn't even known her condition was so serious, or was too ashamed to tell?

Still standing in the hallway, Giovana felt her cell phone vibrate. She looked at the screen and saw a phone call from Antony. The air rushed into her lungs as she took a deep breath before answering it.

"Where are you?" But he didn't wait for her to answer. He continued coldly, as if he didn't care about the answer, "We have a meeting with the lawyer in half an hour to read Nicolau's will."

Giovana had forgotten about this appointment. Her breathing was so heavy that she didn't even notice the presence of anyone else in the corridor.

"I'm sorry, Antony, I was so worried about Gina that I completely forgot."

"I don't need your apologies, Giovana," he said harshly, as he always did, "I need you here, now."

Giovana's face was contorted with bitterness, and she just obeyed her husband's orders. She always did.

"I'm at the city hospital."

Of course, she wanted to explain to Antony that Gina needed her right now, but Antony wouldn't listen to her or accept her excuses. She knew him so well that she knew how insignificant her existence was to her husband.

"The driver is coming to pick you up."

"Antony, I can't leave now. Gina needs me..."

"I don't care," he said with a surprisingly serious tone, "I don't have time for this. Just obey me."

Giovana felt a rush of adrenaline coursing through her, every nerve awakening as she tried to understand her husband's coldness. But before she could consider replying, the call was disconnected. When she finally came back to reality, she realized that her mother was still talking to the doctor about Gina's delicate condition. So she approached her.

"Giovana and Gina have the same blood type, so she could be the donor."

Irma wasn't at all happy about saying that, but she would do whatever it took to save her favorite daughter's life. What she didn't know was that she was putting Giovana in a delicate situation.

"Great!" Encouraged by the doctor, "we can do it right now."

"I can't," Giovana felt her heart tearing, between having to choose to follow Antony's orders or help save her sister, "I can't right now. I'm late for an appointment with Antony."

"You can't? What kind of commitment is more important than saving your sister's life?"

But Giovana, with no time to argue, shrugged and turned her attention to the doctor.

"Tell me doctor," Giovana asked with difficulty, "can Gina hold out for a few hours? You have to promise me that you'll keep her alive until I get back."

"I can't promise you that," he said, shaking his head, "but I can try my best."

Giovana tried to swallow her saliva, but her throat wouldn't listen. She started to walk away.

"If Gina dies, know that it will be your fault, Giovana. "

Only you. Halfway through her rant, Irma had lowered her gaze and was now staring at the floor. Her last words echoed throughout the hospital ward, and Irma waited for her to change her mind, but Giovana remained silent and finally left.