After Pearl returned from the bathroom, she saw Esther, who had been in bed when she left, kneeling on the floor and looking anxious.
Seeing the doctor standing there, she asked, "What's going on?"
"I told her the name of the bone marrow donor and she got upset," the doctor said, feeling helpless and guilty. "I didn't know how important the person was to her."
Pearl knew the doctor had no idea, so she didn't blame him. "It's fine, doctor. I'll take care of this."
The doctor nodded and left.
Pearl sat on the floor with Esther, reached out her arm, and hugged her around her shoulders. "Este," she gently called out her name.
Esther didn't respond; she just buried her face in Pearl's chest while her shoulders shook with sobs.
"I know it's really hard for you to accept this right now, isn't it?"
Esther didn't say anything and just kept crying.
Esther froze as she realized how foolish she had been. She stood up and wiped away her tears. "I understand now, Pearl. Please help me with the IV."
Pearl nodded, helped Esther back into bed, and reinserted the needle into her arm. Then, she checked her forehead. "You don't have a fever. Take care of yourself and don't do anything rash. Treat this as Mobius's final wish.
Esther nodded, her eyes already dry but still trembling slightly.
"Pearl." Esther's voice was hoarse. "How did his accident happen?"
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