Chapter 36
I was feeling so happy; everything seemed to be going well. Dr. Jullian sent me a message saying he had the donor’s test results, but he’d go over everything at the next appointment, which was coming up soon.
Despite everything going well, two things still had me worried: Vladimir, who had simply vanished, and my delivery, which was now closer than I’d imagined.
I decided not to stress over it; we’d figure everything out at the appointment. I already had help lined up—Martha would be there for me after the delivery, and if the transplant happened around the same time, she’d support me with my sister too. We were in good hands.
She asked about my baby, whether Alex knew yet, and I said no.
I’d respect his decision to distance himself from me, but I’d tell him after our Alexei was born.
Martha had always been against me keeping it secret and had been pushing me this whole time, trying to help.
She said she’d take me to him because she knew hiding something this important was making me sad.
I didn’t have a father to help or guide me; it was always just my mother.
Although I was very happy having only my mother by my side, the absence of a father was huge.
At school, I always struggled when a holiday came around and all my friends made cards, glued photos, or prepared for presentations, and I...
had no one to make mine for. I don’t want my son to go through that.
So when he’s born, I’ll take him to the company; there, I won’t be turned away, I’m sure of it.
I was lost in thought when my phone rang. I was lying in bed with my legs up because now, this late in my pregnancy, they were swelling badly. I picked up my phone and looked at the screen; my friend’s name was flashing. With a smile on my face, I swiped to answer.
“Hey, girl. I was just thinking about you.”
“I hope they were good thoughts.”
“Absolutely. You’re an angel in my life, and I couldn’t think anything else.”
“Aw, I’m so glad to hear that. I really liked you from the day I met you at that cocktail party, and I feel lucky to be your friend. But tell me, how are you all doing?”
“The three of us are doing great. Alexei is moving around a lot, Elena is excited because the next appointment is coming up, and hopefully the donor news will be good. We’re hopeful but anxious too.”
“I can imagine. When is the appointment? I want to come with you—you need help, right?”
“I won’t lie, Martha, it really is getting harder every day—not because of my belly, but because of the swelling in my legs and feet.”
“That’s exactly why I called, and also to let you know the rooms are ready, just waiting for you here at home. Arthur is really excited about your visit and the baby too.”
I can hear her smiling on the other end.
“He loves kids, doesn’t he? I think you two should have a baby.”
“It’s not the right time. We still have trips to take and dreams to chase. We’ll think about kids later.”
“You’re right. Good for you. I’m young, and honestly, I didn’t want this right now, but I’m so happy and content because I always dreamed of being a mother, and now I’ll have a little boy to—”
I stopped mid-sentence when I heard Elena calling me from her room. I got up, startled.
“Hold on a second,”
I said, already heading toward her.
When I got to Ele’s room, my heart dropped: my sister was paler than usual, hand on her abdomen, sweating heavily. I completely forgot about Martha on the phone and rushed to my little one.
“What’s wrong, sis?” I asked, sitting beside her on the bed.
“I’m... I’m... in pain,” she said haltingly.
I rushed to the apartment door that led to the club and shouted for Mr. Júlio. One of the security guards came running.
I heard my friend shouting on the phone—I’d completely forgotten about her. I picked up my phone again, saying only:
“I’m going to the hospital, taking Ele.”
I didn’t wait for a response and hung up.
Meanwhile, Leonardo picked Elena up and we rushed out.
We got to the hospital in a few minutes. They took my sister to the emergency room. A doctor came over and I filled him in on her condition. He spoke with a nurse, who left and returned seconds later with a tray holding an IV bag and some medications.
The doctor turned to me and said:
“I’m Dr. Heitor. We’re going to give Elena some medications through an IV to help hydrate her as well. She’s waiting for a transplant and has an appointment scheduled for next week. I’m going to call Dr. Jullian, who’s handling her case.”
I just nodded, and he left. I sat in the chair next to the gurney and held my sister’s hand. The pain seemed to be easing, which gave me a moment of relief, but I knew this pain wasn’t normal. So I waited for Dr. Jullian, who arrived minutes later.
“Chloe, come with me, please. Anália, please keep an eye on Elena. As soon as she finishes the medication, transfer her to room E14.”
“Okay, doctor.”
After listening to Dr. Jullian, I realize we won’t be going home today, but at least she’s being well cared for, and that’s what matters. We leave the emergency room and walk down the corridor. He calls the elevator and presses the button for his office floor. It arrives quickly.
We stop in front of the room. He opens the door and gestures for me to enter, then says:
“Come in, Chloe, and please have a seat. We have a lot to discuss.”
“What happened, Jullian? Please, tell me now!”
“You need to stay calm. We’re just going to move up Elena’s appointment. I’ll give you all the information about the donor in a bit. We may have to push the surgery forward.”
Hearing this, I feel the floor disappear beneath my feet and panic sets in. I didn’t think it would be like this. All I wanted was to see her well, but when he mentioned moving up the surgery, all my efforts to stay strong and hold everything together on my own crumbled, and all I could do was cry.
“Calm down, Chloe. Everything will be okay.”
“I know... I trust you. I think I just needed to let it out a little.”
Jullian watches me with an understanding expression while typing something on his phone.
“It hasn’t been easy, has it? Handling everything alone...”
“No,” I murmur, wiping away the tears. “Everything came at once: my mother’s death, Elena’s illness... and the pregnancy.”
He hesitates for a moment before asking:
“Sorry to bring this up, but... what about the baby’s father? Did you tell him?”
I give a mocking smile and say:
“He said he doesn’t believe me and that he didn’t want anything to do with me.” I lift my head, wipe away the tears that keep falling—damn hormones—and say: “But that’s okay. I’ve already decided that when my son is born, I’ll take him to meet his father myself.”
“But this is when you need him most.”
“Please, Jullian, I appreciate absolutely everything you’re doing for us, but I don’t want to talk about my son’s father.”
“Sorry, Chloe, I’m just worried about you.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m fine, really.”
At that moment, Dr. Monica enters the room. I know she was called because of me, so I get up from the chair. She greets me with a warm embrace. I don’t have family here—it’s just me and my sister—but I have friends, and I’m so happy and grateful to have them.