“They didn’t find a match.” Eden swallowed back the acid that bubbled at the back of her throat. She’d already thrown up twice today. There couldn’t be anything left in her stomach.

She braced herself as her mother’s expression fell. For the past two weeks the doctors had been searching for a compatible stem cell donor. Her parents had tried to take over management of her treatment, but Eden remained firm. It had been a hard battle full of tears and painful silences, but she’d won.

“That’s just locally, Eden.”

“I know.” She kept her expression light, but the tension inside her was so strong that her innards had to look like peach pits. Her parents seemed to draw their strength from her, though; her mother had only cried three times.

But there was no one to prop up Eden.

Thomas actually sobbed when he heard the news, and he’d come over almost every day since, asking her if she wanted ice cream, to go for a drive, a trip to the Breakout Room—anything. If she said no, his eyes went wide and he’d practically hyperventilate. The first time she’d tried to confide her fears, he’d crumpled like a used Kleenex.

And Naj. Her friend hadn’t taken the news well, if fleeing Eden’s apartment in tears was any indication. It hurt her that Naj wouldn’t return her texts. She’d left her a half-dozen voice mails, too, but it was like speaking to a cloud. She found out why when her mother told her Naj’s dad sent his daughter to visit her grandparents.

In Iran.

As for Darak—well, he was out. He’d called and texted her a half-dozen times a day at first, but she hadn’t answered. At least a hundred times she’d reached for the phone, but every time she’d stopped herself. She hadn’t seen him in sixteen days now—far longer than she’d known him. It’d been three days since he last tried to call, and he’d only texted her once yesterday. If only he’d give up.

If only she hadn’t gone to her father’s office.

“There are three hundred million people in this country. We’ll find someone.” Her mother twisted her hands, the bluish veins standing out vividly against her pale skin.

“I know they will,” she answered, swallowing back the lump of dread that seemed permanently stuck in her throat. Her cell buzzed against her breast, but there was no one she wanted to talk to.

“I started a campaign on Facebook,” Mom told her with an unconvincing smile. “All your father’s students said they’d share it. Our colleagues too, and you know what? Serena Wolf put out word. They’re going to find a donor, sweetheart: I know they are.”

Most people Eden’s age weren’t on Facebook, so she didn’t hold out much hope in that regard. However, Serena Wolf was a romance writer with a rabid following.

“That’s great, Mom. Thanks.”

Her mother bit her lip. “I’m just glad you’re not pregnant. You’re not, right?”

“Oh my God, Mom, no! Give me a little credit!”

“How could you see someone so far out of your age range?”

Because I loved him. “He’s twenty-five. I’m twenty. You and Dad are six years apart.”

“It’s different. We’re older.”

“Mom, please. I can’t fight for my life and fight you at the same time about a guy who wasn’t even my boyfriend.”

“I saw that text.”

“It was a hookup. That’s all, Mom.”

“What does that even mean?”

“He was fun. Forget about him already.” How long would it take before his betrayal no longer hurt? Or would she take that to her grave?

“Good riddance,” Mom muttered. “Pervert.”

“He wasn’t a pervert. He was just…a jerk.” And why was she defending him?

“A jerk that took advantage of a young girl.”

Eden sighed. “He thought I was older and I let him. I never gave him an actual number. You’re harping on the wrong thing. He knew who my father was because I told him, and he knew how I felt about the guy who ruined my father’s life. God, Mom, I hate the K for what they do to people, and the whole time he knew it.”

Her mother’s expression softened. “You’re not alone, baby. I’m here for you.”

Depressed over Darak, every ache in her joints a fresh reminder of her probable death, Eden rubbed her face. “I’m tired. I’m going to my room.”

“Good idea, sweetie. Get some sleep.”

Again the phone buzzed in her pocket, and Eden switched it to silent.