I glance around the room, my heart pounds as I shift my gaze between Mum and Gabriel, trying to make sense of their argument or the secret they’re hiding.

“Mum, please,” I say, my voice trembling.

“What is going on? Can you just say it?” I gesture toward Gabriel.

"I don’t even know this man, but if he can donate a kidney for you, he must mean something. Who is he? What does he want?"

Mum meets my eyes for a second, then looks at Gabriel. Her lips press into a thin line as she squeezes her eyes shut. For a long moment, she’s silent, shaking her head slowly, as...