A DIFFERENT BATTLE

MILENA'S POV

4 YEARS LATER

I've fought to survive for four years, but now, the only battle that matters is the one my son is losing.

The doctors say there's nothing left to do, but I didn't survive hell just to bury my son.

“Miss Carter?” The sound of the doctor behind me snapped me out of my daze and I turned around, a small smile on my face.

“Doctor Gareth” I walked over to him, my boots clicking against the tiled floor as I extended a hand to shake his outstretched hand.

He took my hand firmly in his and his skin around his eyes crinkled with the large smile he gave me. I wished I could share the same happiness with him but instead, I donned the fake smile I had learnt over the years.

The one that kept the media happy. The one that made people think that I was fine and not about to drive my heels into my head.

“Shall we? Theo is in the playroom right now alone. He'll be fine, okay? You don't have to stand around here waiting till his time is up. Let's have a talk, hm?” Dr Gareth gestured to the hallway leading to the hallway and I fiddled with the pendant around my neck before following him, a sigh slipping past my lips.

The hospital was mostly free and I tried not to gag at the nauseating scent of antiseptic and blood. One would think I had gotten used to the smell after 4 years of frequenting this hospital but it never got easier for me. It was just as hard because a part of me knew that someday, I would walk into this place with the son I had tried to protect but I would walk out alone and the thought scared me to my bones.

I didn't even realize that we were at his office until I heard the sound of the door being pushed open and Dr Gareth gave me a polite smile, gesturing to me to come in and I walked in, dropping my purse on the table before sitting on the chair in front of his desk, fidgeting with the Cartier ring around my finger.

Dr Gareth went straight to his chair and pulled off his glasses to look at me. He was by far an attractive man who was just in his late 20’s with blonde hair and light green eyes although that wasn't enough reason to take him up on his offer of lunch each time I came around with my son.

“Are you sleeping any better?” He cut straight to the point, leaning forward on the table.

I raised my chin, refusing to let my guard down. “I would rather that you don't worry about me, Gareth, I'll be fine. What are the reports about my son?” I asked.

He studied me closely, his brows furrowing before he leaned back. “Lena, I have known you for 4 years, you're not doing yourself a favour nor are you helping your son. Your work is already demanding enough as it is”

My lips quivered but I couldn't let anyone see the cracks in my perfect lifestyle. Sure, I knew that my company required a lot from me but it had been my life for the last four years and I had worked tooth and nail to get it.

“I'm fine. How's he coping today?” I swiftly changed the topic today.

Garreth looked fed up with me but he sighed and went ahead to give me a report. “He's handling himself pretty well today. Someone at his age handling PTSD and severe Aplastic anemia? He's a fighter. I want to consider this again…” He paused to watch my reaction.

Tears stung the back of my eyes and I sniffed, looking down at the neat table before looking back at him. “I don't want him in therapy, Gareth. We've talked about this. He doesn't like strangers and I…” I broke off and clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a sob.

Gareth didn't say anything thankfully, he simply pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to me, his fingers brushing against mine in the process.

“Thanks” I dabbed at my eyes with it and set it back on the table.

“Don't mention it.” He leaned forward again. “You've been coming here for four years so I would never want to see you hurt and you know it. Your happiness comes from Theo and right now, he needs help. I've received the reports from St Jude medical hospital” He informed me and I immediately sat up, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Please tell me they have a donor” I pleaded, my voice cracking.

The silence told me everything I needed to know. “Fuck…” I cursed and leaned my head back against the chair, tearing up again.

Theo needed surgery for a chance of survival. A bone marrow transplant they said. I wasn't a match. I had searched every place I could, paid people to look for a donor but each one came back fruitless.

“I'm being transferred to New York, Milena” Gareth said softly and I snapped my gaze back to him.

“What?” My eyes widened. After living in Switzerland for four years, I had come to know that Dr Gareth was the best medical personnel for my kid and Theo would probably take too long to get used to another doctor.

He smiled at me. “New York is a better place for me. Take this as an opportunity. You're going to New York for that business deal, yeah?” He asked and my heart seemed to stop.

“Yeah, why?” I managed to stutter.

“There's a therapist there for Theo, she's great at her job, one of the best. Please consider meeting her at least once and also… you said his father lives in New York, right? This could be an opportunity to find out if he's a match for Theo” Gareth's voice was full of hope but I was struggling to keep myself together.

Find out if he was a match? Two days from now, I would be going to New York for the first time in years but now with my son for a business deal with the person who had broken me four years back.

Except now, it was different and he had no idea I was the one. He had no idea he had a son and I was going to have to ask him to get tested for my son's survival.

Two days from now, I would meet Damien Hale once more.