Chapter 37
We've been at the hospital for a week now, just waiting for Elena's surgery, which is in two days. I'm a nervous wreck and I think I've already lost about six pounds, which isn't good for me or my baby. Still, I've been trying to eat as best I can.
Martha has been a huge help, taking turns with me to stay with Elena. But at night, I'm the one who stays with her. Despite all the wonderful nursing staff and doctors here, I prefer to sleep in her room. I feel safer that way.
On the day of the surgery, I woke up feeling terrible. I ended up needing an IV because I was at risk of dehydration. The surgery duration was uncertain, but it would take at least five hours.
Monica called me in for my weekly appointment. Now that I'm eight months along, I'll need to be monitored closely, as she'd requested at my last visit. Since I'll be here anyway, it'll be much easier.
I left the room with a huge smile. Despite losing weight and my sister being in surgery, everything was fine with my son, and that alone made me so happy.
He was big and healthy. We're ruling out a vaginal delivery, but I've decided to think about that later.
I want Alexei to decide when he's ready to be born.
I head down to the cafeteria on the first floor and try to eat something. I order a juice and a salad, pick a table, and sit down. Soon after, I have company.
“May I sit down?”
“Oh, Dr. Jullian, of course, please do.”
“I just spoke with Monica. She told me you're doing very well, even after losing weight.”
“Yes, but I'm calmer now. Of course, I'll be anxious until Elena comes out of surgery, but I know everything is going well.”
“I stopped by there before coming here, and really, everything is perfect. One more hour and it'll be over.”
“What wonderful news!” At that moment, my salad and juice arrive. “She won't go straight to a room, right?”
“No. But because she's young and healthy, she should only need about three days in the ICU. After that, she'll move to a regular room, where we'll need to take some precautions. As soon as she's a hundred percent, she'll go home.”
“I can't wait for that to happen.”
I finish eating and we're getting up when Dr. Monica appears at our side, looking like she's just run a marathon. She says:
“Chloe, Elena just came out of surgery and everything went well. She's already in the ICU being closely monitored. If she keeps doing well, she'll be moved to a regular room soon.”
I can't believe everything went well. Unfortunately, we can't find out who the donor is. I really wanted to thank them for everything they did, without even knowing us. Tears of happiness stream down my face. I'm so relieved. Now it's just a matter of waiting.
I'm walking down the hallway toward the window of my sister's room when I see Martha and Arthur coming toward me. She comes up to me and gives me a tight hug.
“I'm so happy everything went well, Chloe.”
“Thank you for being here, my friend.”
We stand there, still. I really needed that hug, the comfort I was feeling in that moment. Soon after, we walk to where my little Elena is. I stand there watching her, covered in wires and intubated. I'm trying to make sense of it all.
Jullian noticed my confusion and said:
“She's in an induced coma[6], which makes treatment easier. Don't be alarmed. She'll stay like this until tomorrow, when we'll start weaning her off the medications so she can wake up. It'll be a gradual process.”
“I can't let you go in right now. Let's wait at least twenty-four hours. If she responds well, I'll let you in to talk to her.”
“Thank you, Jullian. I'll be counting the hours.”
“Well, now I need you to go home and rest. You haven't slept or eaten properly in days. Being here right now won't change anything. Tomorrow, when you wake up, you can come back. I'll call the surgeon, and he'll fill you in on everything.”
“That's right, friend, let's go. You can stay at our place with me and Arthur. We'd love to have you.”
I look at the two of them standing there, waiting for my answer, and decide to accept. It'll be good to spend these days with them.
“All right! But tomorrow I'm coming back to check on her.”
And so I leave with them. They welcomed me warmly at their house. I saw the room she'd prepared for me, my sister, and my baby—she'd even put in a crib, saying that “Alexei would need a place to sleep too.” I just accepted, since it was already there and there wasn't much I could do about it.
It had been four days since Elena's transplant, and she was doing very well.
They'd moved her to a regular room and I could visit her, but I had to wear a mask and gown because she could easily catch an infection during this delicate time.
I had to be very careful. I was so happy that everything was going well—until one day, my happiness turned to dread.
Jullian called me to his office, saying he needed to discuss something urgent. I went, and that's when I felt the floor disappear beneath my feet. Everything was about to fall apart. He told me that Elena's father—that wretched abuser—was there to take her. This couldn't be happening...
The blood drained from my face. I went pale, frozen in place. Vladimir had no right to do this. He should be in prison. Jullian noticed something was wrong and came over, concerned.
“Tell me everything. Maybe I can help,” he said, his tone serious but comforting.
That’s when, overwhelmed by anguish, I opened up. I told him about Vladimir’s marriage to my mother, from the beginning, right up to the moment I sent him to jail. Jullian stayed quiet, listening carefully to every detail. When I finished, he took a deep breath before speaking:
“Chloe, he brought a doctor to look after Elena and said everything’s ready for them to go back to their country. I’ll try to stall as long as I can, but I can’t promise much. As her father, he has the legal right to take her whenever he wants.”
My breathing quickens. Panic starts to take hold. He can’t take her from me!!
“I know,” I murmur, my eyes welling with tears. “But I’ll get her out of here before he does. She’s not leaving. I can’t let that happen.”
We left the room and stopped near the door, talking through ways to prevent this disaster. That’s when I felt eyes burning into the back of my neck. I spun around, but no one was there. I swallowed my unease, hugged my friend, and headed to Elena’s room, trying to think of a plan.
“Hi, slut...”
The harsh voice made my heart freeze. A shiver ran down my spine.
There he was. The bastard I thought I’d never see again.
His presence in the hospital hit me like a punch to the stomach.
It had been so nice when he disappeared.
I should have known he was planning something, and now here he was, at the hospital where Elena was admitted.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to keep my voice steady. “Last I heard, you got sentenced to years in prison.”
Vladimir flashes a cynical smile.
“I just came to settle the score with you, you little bitch.”
My mind screams at me to run, but my legs are frozen with fear. I try to back away, but before I can react, he grabs my arm hard, pain radiating through my body.
“There’s no point calling anyone. I’m taking my daughter with me, whether you like it or not.”
“You’re not taking Elena, you monster. I won’t let you!” I twist my body, trying to escape, but he clamps a hand over my mouth and pulls me closer.
“And you’re coming too. We have scores to settle,” he murmurs in my ear, his voice dripping with menace.
“Valter!” he calls out, and soon his brother enters the room, his eyes cold as ice.
“Is everything ready for us to go?” Vladimir asks impatiently.
“Yes, the helicopter is waiting for us.”
“Then call everyone and take this brat with you. If she runs, you know what to do.”
Terror consumes me as Valter grabs me roughly.
Then I see a man enter the room, dressed all in white.
He opens his briefcase, takes out a syringe, and approaches, his footsteps echoing like a hammer in my mind.
I scream, but the sound catches in my throat.
When the needle touches my skin, everything goes dark. This is my end.