Your Guise Is Slipping, Miss Pearl

"I said, I want to donate my bone marrow to Esther," Mobius replied.

"But you can't just donate like that. It has to be a match."

"I know. Esther and I did a test before. It's a match. We promised to help each other if needed."

Richard hesitated, feeling overwhelmed. "But you're not in the best shape right now, I'm worried…" He didn't spell out the rest but they both knew. The surgery could be fatal for Mobius.

Mobius understood the unspoken concern. "I just want to save her, no matter what happens to me."

As Mobius's breathing grew labored, he pleaded, "Please, get a doctor."

Richard, unable to refuse his brother's plea, called for the doctor immediately.

The doctor frowned. "Is this truly the patient's wish?"

"Yes, my brother wants to save the girl he loves by donating his bone marrow."

Moved by Mobius's sacrifice, the doctor agreed. "Let him know I'll proceed with the procedure."

"Thank you, doctor."

During their conversation, Pearl called urgently.

"Richard, Esther's condition is deteriorating." Her voice sounded anxious, with James chiming in worriedly.

"It's not looking good. We should prepare for surgery," the doctor advised Richard. "But first, let's conduct another bone marrow test to ensure compatibility."

Richard agreed.

The test confirmed they were compatible, shocking James and prompting Pearl to grab Richard's hand.

"Is Mobius really not going to make it?" Pearl asked. Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

"I know it's hard to accept, but it's the truth. There's nothing I can do." Richard's heart weighed heavy with sorrow. This was his brother, his companion for almost twenty years.

Pearl, too, was overwhelmed with sadness. With Esther's illness and now Mobius's imminent passing, her spirits were low.

Outside the operating room, Pearl sat on a bench, her fingers entwined in her hair. She didn't look like she was in a good mental state.

After many agonizing hours, the surgery was finally over. Esther was stable and transferred to a regular ward, but Mobius… never opened his eyes again.

Richard arranged for Mobius's cremation, while Pearl and James tended to Esther.

Twelve hours post-surgery, Esther woke up to find James asleep by her side. The sunlight illuminated his hair, and she couldn't resist reaching out to pat it gently.