My words echoed through the hallway, drawing gasps from the onlookers. They turned to look at Clinton and Emerald in shock. The tension in the air thickened as more people gathered around, their curious stares turning into judgmental glares.
"These days, stem cells can be collected from peripheral blood," I continued, my voice louder now. "Why would anyone resort to such a brutal method? She's only six years old! Who would do such a thing without the mother's consent?"
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, and more phones came out, recording the unfolding drama. Their eyes shifted from me to Emerald, no longer seeing her as a doctor, but as something far darker.
Clinton hesitated, clearly rattled by the growing crowd. "What do you know?" he blustered, his voice sounding weak in comparison. "Doctors have their own considerations. You're in no position to question them."
I stared at him in disbelief. "Clinton, you're a graduate of a top university, and you're really going to spew this nonsense to defend her?"
The murmurs of the crowd turned to outright criticism. "This is too much," someone whispered, "and the mother didn't even consent?"
"Bone marrow extraction on a six-year-old? That's insane!" another voice chimed in.
Clinton's face flushed with embarrassment. Before he could say anything more, Emerald suddenly dropped to her knees with a dramatic thud. The gasps from the crowd were almost audible.
"Emerald, stop!" Clinton tried to help her up, but she gently pushed him aside, her tears falling perfectly in front of everyone.
"Celestine, I'm sorry," she sobbed, her voice trembling. "It's all my fault. I was just so worried about my son, so eager to fulfill my responsibility as a mother."
Her disheveled appearance and tearful eyes were a perfect act meant to elicit sympathy from the crowd. But I saw through her lies.
"Please," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper, "I'm begging you, Celestine. Save my son."
Her actions left everyone around us in stunned silence.
"Celestine, you know my son urgently needs a bone marrow transplant," Emerald began, her voice quivering with sorrow. "I just made a foolish mistake. When I drew blood from Tamara, I did a matching test, too." She wiped her tears, continuing dramatically. "To my surprise, heaven blessed us, and our children are a perfect match."