His Regret Couldn’t Save Me Novel by Briar Delaney _ Novel





His Regret Couldn’t Save Me Chapter 01

In the final stage of leukemia, I finally got word that a bone marrow donor had been found.
Her name was Angelina Cochran.
She'd seen our plea online and reached out all by herself.
At the time, she could barely make rent the next month.
She'd heard that even if the match failed, we'd still pay a small fee just for showing up.
That was why she came.
But over the next year, she never went through with the donation.
Instead, I found her standing in front of me, clinging to my boyfriend's hand.
***
Nicholas Vazquez and I grew up together. He was my childhood sweetheart and the boyfriend I'd been with for years.
I lay in that hospital bed, bald and skeletal, clinging to life by a thread. There were so many times I almost didn't make it.
Nicholas stayed by my side through all of it, keeping me going.
From the day I was diagnosed, he dropped everything for me.
He spent every day between the hospital and donor registries, begging everyone he knew to help find a match.
He'd hold my hand and repeat the same promise, "Annie, don't give up. I'll find the right donor. I'll save you. When you're better, we'll take our wedding photos, then move to Colorado, the place you've always wanted to go."
I believed him—and that belief got me through every round of chemo, all the way to Angelina's match.
Angelina was the kind of girl who stood out, nothing like me.
I was quiet and withdrawn. She was lively, cheerful, with two shallow dimples when she smiled. Everyone took to her right away.
At first, I felt sorry for her; she came from a rough family and was broke.
I tried to look out for her. "These are clothes I bought before I got sick. They don't fit me anymore. Most of them are brand new. Take whatever you like.
"Here's 8,000 dollars. Use it for whatever you need. Once you donate, we'll make sure it's more than worth your while.
"When you graduate, I'll help you find an easy job that pays well."
Nicholas did everything he could for her too. He accompanied her to pre-op checkups, helped her get healthy enough for the procedure, and took care of her day-to-day needs.
But gradually, he started spending more and more time with her.
He'd chat with her, take her out to relax, and remember her preferences.
When she mentioned she'd never seen the ocean, he even offered to take her to Hawaii.
I got jealous and finally said something.
He gave me this tired, worn-out look. "Annie, I'm human too. I'm exhausted and need a break sometimes."
I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth. "Stay a few more days then. I'll be fine on my own."
The day after they got back from Hawaii, I walked in on them kissing.
I'd gone up to the hospital rooftop to sit in the sun.
Angelina ran into Nicholas' arms, acting all cute and coy in his arms. He didn't push her away. Instead, he pulled her closer and kissed her.
My phone slipped from my hand and smashed on the floor with a sharp crack.
When he saw me, he didn't let go of her hand. He just walked over with her. His voice was cold and calm when he said, "Leanna, I'm with Angelina now."
I didn't scream or argue.
I just asked one question. "Is she still donating her bone marrow?"
"Yes," he said, nodding without hesitation.
"I promised I'd save you, and I will. But Leanna, from now on, I only care about you as a friend. The person I love is Angelina."
"I understand."
I smiled, but the light just died in my eyes. "Thank you for still being willing to save me."

READ FULL NOVEL HERE