Chapter 4

The sterile smell of antiseptic burns my nostrils as I sit in the donor chair at Mount Sinai Hospital, my sleeve rolled up and my arm extended. The nurse smiles sympathetically as she attaches the needle, the tug of it drawing blood from my vein.

“You’re doing a wonderful thing, Miss Montgomery,” she says, her voice soft and encouraging.

I nod, trying to focus on her words rather than the growing sense of unease in my chest. Victoria stands nearby, her eyes shining with gratitude as she clasps her hands together.

“Thank you so much, Isabella,” she gushes. “We’ve had…