Chapter 5 – The Bracelet with the Initials "J.S."
The results came in the next morning.
Sarah sat in the same office where the doctor had given her hope just a day ago. This time, the air felt heavier. The ticking clock on the wall echoed in her chest like a countdown.
The doctor entered quietly, holding a file. His expression told her everything before he even spoke. He took a deep breath and sat across from her. "Mrs. Benson… we ran the tests three times just to be sure."
Sarah's heart pounded so loudly she could barely hear the rest.
"I'm afraid you're not a match," the doctor said softly.
The world stopped.
She blinked once. Then again. "What… what do you mean I'm not a match?"
"I'm sorry," he said, voice calm but heavy. "We checked everything carefully, but your bone marrow type doesn't match Tommy's. We'll have to look for a compatible donor in the system."
Sarah's lips trembled. "But… I'm his mother," she whispered. "I carried him in my womb. How can I not be a match?"
"It happens," the doctor said quietly. "Sometimes, even a parent isn't compatible. Please, Mrs. Benson, don't lose hope. We can still search for a donor."
But his words fell flat. Sarah felt her world cave in. Her chest burned as if all the air in the room had disappeared. She covered her face with her hands and began to sob. "No… no, this can't be happening. Please, no…"
The doctor stood, uncertain how to comfort her. "We'll keep looking, I promise," he said softly, before leaving her alone in the room.
When the door closed, Sarah broke completely. Her sobs filled the small office. "What am I going to do?" she whispered to herself. "Who's going to save my baby?"
She cried until her eyes ached. There was no one else—no family, no close friend she could call for help. Tommy was all she had, and now even her body had failed him.
By late afternoon, she walked back into Tommy's hospital room. He was asleep, his little face pale, his breathing soft and weak. Sarah sat beside his bed and held his small hand between hers. "I'm so sorry, my love," she whispered through tears. "Mommy's trying. Mommy's not giving up."
That night, for the first time in days, she went home. Her apartment felt empty, too quiet. Every corner reminded her of Tommy tiny shoes by the door, his drawings still taped to the wall, the blanket he always insisted on sleeping with.
She sank onto the couch, exhausted. Her head dropped into her hands. "Please, God… show me what to do. I can't lose him."
As she lifted her head, her eyes fell on a small wooden jewelry box on the shelf. It had been years since she opened it. With trembling hands, she reached for it, dusting off the lid. Inside were a few old things—a pair of earrings, a photo from when she was younger, and… a silver bracelet.
It was slightly tarnished now, but the engraved letters were still clear: J.S.
Her breath caught.
The memories she had buried for so long came rushing back.
That night. The hotel. The room.
She had been nineteen, working the night shift as a cleaner at the old Hillcrest Hotel. It had been a busy weekend; a group of wealthy businessmen had rented out the top floor for a conference. She was assigned to clean one of the rooms late at night, not knowing one of the men was still there—drunk, lying on the bed.
She had knocked. No answer. She thought the guest had left. So she went in quietly to tidy up. But the man was still there. He mumbled something she couldn't understand, then before she could react, he pulled her toward him.
She had tried to fight, tried to push him away. But he was too strong. Too drunk. Too cruel. And in that terrible moment, her life changed forever.
When it was over, she ran out of that room in tears, shaking, ashamed, terrified. The next day, she couldn't even report it. No one would have believed her. The man was a VIP guest. She was just a cleaner.
Weeks later, she realized she was pregnant. That was the day she thought her world had ended. But when she held Tommy for the first time, years ago, all that pain turned into love. He was innocent. He didn't ask to come into the world that way. He became her reason to live.
Now, holding that old bracelet, Sarah felt her chest tighten. J.S. Those were his initials. The man who had taken so much from her… the man who unknowingly gave her Tommy.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered to the empty room, "You might be the only one who can save him now."
She hated the thought. The very idea of finding him made her sick. But this wasn't about her anymore. This was about Tommy. His life. His chance to live.
Sarah clutched the bracelet tightly in her hand. "I have to find him," she said to herself. "I don't care what it takes."
She stood up, wiping her tears. Her reflection in the mirror showed a woman both broken and strong at the same time a mother who had suffered quietly for years but refused to give up now.
The memories hurt, yes. But she couldn't let her pain stop her. Somewhere out there was J.S., the man she never wanted to see again. Yet, he might be the only person in the world who could save her son.
Sarah placed the bracelet in her bag and took a deep breath. Tomorrow, she would start searching. She didn't know where to begin, but she knew she had to try.
Before going to bed, she whispered to Tommy's picture on her phone screen, "Hold on, baby. Mommy's going to fix this. I promise."
Then, clutching the bracelet close to her chest, she cried silently until sleep took her—her tears a mixture of pain, fear, and determination.
Because this time, she had no choice but to face her past… to save her son.