He glanced away. “It’s just… I work here. I don’t want the staff finding out. It could get weird if they know I’m accepting a kidney from someone I’m dating. There’s some policy stuff, and I really don’t want the gossip.” It struck her as slightly odd—but not impossible. She nodded slowly. “Okay. If that makes it easier.”
The surgery was scheduled within weeks. Appointments stacked up—consultations, imaging, final tests. Maya trained less, ate differently, told almost no one. Her coach noticed, but didn’t press. She told herself this was temporary. One pause in a long road. She could pick up speed again later. She had to believe that.