001

Five Years Later

Mirabella

I have fought to survive for half a decade, but now, the only battle that matters is the one my son is losing.

The doctors say there is nothing left to do, but I did not survive hell just to bury my child.

“Miss Carter?” The sound of the doctor behind me snapped me out of my daze. I turned around with a practiced smile.

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

He took my hand firmly, the skin around his eyes crinkling with a warm grin. I wished I could share that genuine happiness, but instead, I wore the mask I had mastered over the years.

It was the look that kept the media satisfied. The one that made the world believe I was okay and not on the verge of a total breakdown.

“Shall we? Theo is in the playroom right now, alone. He will be alright, okay? You don’t have to stand around here waiting until his time is up. Let’s have a talk, shall we?” Dr. Gareth gestured toward the hallway. I managed a small sigh and fiddled with the pendant around my neck before following him.

The hospital was mostly quiet. I tried not to gag at the clinical scent of antiseptic and blood. One would think I would have grown accustomed to the smell after frequenting this place for so long, but it never got easier. It remained a constant struggle because a part of me knew that someday, I would walk into this building with the son I tried to protect and walk out alone. That thought terrified me.

I did not even realize we had reached his office until I heard the door click open. Dr. Gareth gave me a polite nod and gestured for me to enter. I walked in, dropping my purse on the table before sinking into the chair in front of his desk, nervously twisting the Cartier ring on my finger.

He moved to his chair and pulled off his glasses, looking directly at me. He was an attractive man, likely in his late twenties with blond hair and light green eyes, though that was not enough reason for me to accept his lunch invitations every time I brought my son in.

“Are you sleeping any better?” he asked, leaning forward on the desk to get straight to the point.

I raised my chin, refusing to let my guard down. “I would rather you not worry about me, Gareth. I will be alright. What are the reports regarding my son?”

He studied me closely, his brows furrowed before he leaned back. “Lena, I have known you for a long time. You are not doing yourself any favors, nor are you helping your son. Your work is already demanding enough as it is.”

My lips quivered, but I could not let anyone see the cracks in my professional facade. I knew my company required a lot from me, but it had been my entire life since the divorce. I had worked tooth and nail to build it from nothing.

“I am okay. How is he coping today?” I pivoted the conversation quickly.

Gareth looked frustrated with my deflection, but he sighed and relented. “He is handling himself well today. For someone his age dealing with PTSD and severe aplastic anemia, he is a fighter. But I want to reconsider something.”

He paused to gauge my reaction.

Tears stung the back of my eyes. I sniffed, looking down at the neat desk before glancing back at him. “I don’t want him in therapy, Gareth. We have discussed this. He doesn’t like strangers and I…” My voice broke, and I clapped a hand over my mouth to stifle a sob.

Gareth stayed silent, thankfully. He simply pulled out his handkerchief and handed it to me, his fingers brushing against mine.

“Thanks,” I whispered, dabbing at my eyes before setting the cloth back on the table.

“Don’t mention it.” He leaned forward again. “I have been treating him for years, so of course I care. I never want to see you hurt, and you know that. Your happiness comes from Theo, and right now, he needs help. I have received the reports from St. Jude Medical Hospital,” he informed me.

I immediately sat up, my heart pounding against my ribs. “Please tell me they have a donor,” I pleaded, my voice cracking.

The silence that followed told me everything I needed to know.

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, leaning my head back against the chair as fresh tears welled.

Theo needed surgery for even a sliver of a chance to survive. A bone marrow transplant was his only hope. But I was not a match. I had searched every database I could and paid people to look across the globe for a donor, but each attempt came back fruitless.

“I am being transferred to New York, Mirabella,” Gareth said softly.

I snapped my gaze to him, my eyes widening in shock. “What?”

After living in Switzerland, I had come to trust Dr. Gareth more than anyone. He was the most capable medical professional for Theo. Replacing him would be a disaster; Theo would likely take too long to warm up to someone new.

He smiled gently. “New York is a better opportunity for my career. But take this as a sign. You are going to New York for that business deal, right?”

My heart stilled. “Yeah… why?” I managed to stutter.

“There is a therapist there for Theo. She is incredible, one of the best in pediatric trauma. Please consider meeting her at least once. And also…” He paused. “You said his father lives in New York, right? This might be the chance to find out if he is a match.”

Gareth’s voice was full of hope, but I was struggling to keep myself from falling apart.

Find out if he was a match? Two days from now, I will be flying to New York for the first time in years with my son for a business deal with the very man who shattered me.

Except now, everything is different. He has no idea I am the woman behind the app. He has no idea he has a son. And I am going to have to ask him to get tested to see if he can save the child he does not even know exists.

Two days from now, I will see Ethan Robert again.