Chapter Four

Eloise

3 years later.

The smell of truffle oil was going to my clothes, and the heat from the stove kissed the back of my neck as I garnished the plate in front of me. Duck confit, wolf mushroom risotto, and orange glaze, perfect. My hands moved on instinct now. This kitchen was my second skin. The orders flew in, the noise of the team like music in my ears.

“Chef Camille, your phone,” my su Chef barreled into the kitchen, holding my phone in her hand like a weapon.

“Is it important?” I asked, barely turning to investigate.

“I don't know but it's been ringing”

Groaning, I motioned for one of my assistants to take over.

I took the phone from Cassie and made my way out of the kitchen and into my office.

“Hello?” I answered and froze when the caller spoke.

“Miss Steel. I am so sorry to disturb you but there's been an emergency.”

My heart stopped. "Emergency?" 

"It's Selene," the nurse said, her voice gentle but rushed. "She has a seizure during nap time. We stabilized her but her heart rate dropped rapidly. She's in critical condition."

I didn't realize I was already grabbing my key until they clattered to the floor.

"I... I'll be there in fifteen minutes," I choked out, ending the call before she could say more. My hands trembled as I tried to type a message to Cassie, cover for me. It's Selene.

I flew down the corridor, ignoring the curious glances from my staff. My coat barely made it onto my shoulders before I was out the door and into the street, flagging the nearest cab.

“St. Mercy’s,” I gasped as I climbed in. “Fast, please.”

When I burst into the ER, I barely registered the smell of antiseptic or the buzz of monitors.

"I'm looking for Selene steel!" I said at the nurse station.

A nurse rushed to meet me. "Follow me. She's in Room 3E. The doctor will speak with you shortly.”

It took everything in me for my legs not to give out at that moment.

Selene was so small in that hospital bed. Too still. Wires wrapped around her tiny arms, her chest rising slowly under the oxygen mask.

I pressed my fingers to the glass, breath catching. "Mommy's here," I whispered.

But she didn't move.

And just like that, my world threatened to collapse.

“She's stable now,” I heard a familiar voice behind me. It was her Doctor.

Doctor Celia.

“She doesn't look like she is moving,” I said.

“We should talk in my office,” she said and turned around towards the direction of the door and I followed her into her office, taking a seat behind the desk.

“So, what's wrong with my daughter? Is she going to be okay?”

“While she is stable for now, I'm afraid she needs urgent attention. The last seizure was not friendly. If she has another seizure like that…I'm afraid she won't make it.”

My heart stopped and I saw my life flashing before my eyes.

Selene was born three years ago, healthy without any complications until her first seizure when she was only one. That day had been one of the worst days of my life. Finding out my baby girl had a heart disease.

My baby girl's heart had a rare defect that felt like the ground had been yanked from under me. Since then, it's been hospitals, tests, medications, and desperate prayers. And still, there was always another seizure waiting around the corner, like a shadow that wouldn't let go.

"She needs surgery," Dr. Celia said gently. "Soon. The longer we wait, the more complicated it becomes. Her heart's working overtime just to keep her body going and if she has another seizure, her brain will fail her heart. Her brain cannot.”

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat. "But we already talked about this. You said the surgery was risky. You said…”

“I know what I said,” she interrupted softly, “but the risks of not doing anything now are even greater. This last episode… Eloise, she almost didn’t make it.”

I blinked, feeling the sting behind my eyes. I couldn't cry. Not now. I needed to be strong. Selene needed me to be strong.

"How soon?" I asked.

"As soon as possible. Within the next twenty-four hours, ideally.”

My stomach flipped. Twenty-four hours?

I could feel the muscles in my throat closing up on me. 

I breathed, trying to steady myself. I couldn't afford to be disoriented.

“How much will this surgery cost?”

She looked away and I knew things were not looking particularly bright for me. "I'll have the billing department reach out to you, but it's in the range of £85000 including post-op care "

“Eighty-five thousand pounds?” I repeated in a tone that made it obvious I didn't have that kind of money.

There was no way in hell I could find that kind of money.

Sure I had grown my career over the last three years and had become a five-star chef but I wasn't making enough to even cover half the bill.

“Yes. Eighty five thousand pounds I can contact the hospital in Seattle to prepare for her surgery.”

“I don't have that kind of money and my insurance will not cover even half of that.”

Doctor Kayla was quiet with sympathy in her eyes.

“Give me a moment to think,” I suddenly stood.

I made my way out.

What was I going to do? I had less than four hours to come up with the money. This was impossible.

Maybe I could call Edward. He was her father after all. It would be a long and awkward conversation explaining that he had a daughter I didn't tell him about but what choice did I have?

No, I couldn't do that. He'd take her away from me.

I couldn't have that.

There had to be something… And then I remembered.

Three years ago, on the day of our divorce hearing, I had received an Amex card from Edward. One to set me up for life. I hadn't touched it because I had been too upset but now, I had no choice but to touch it.

I barged into the Doctor's office once more and she looked up from my desk 

“I'll be back with the money. Arrange everything before I get back.”

She nodded with wide eyes.

I ran to Selene and she was still and unconscious, My poor baby had been battling this for an entire year and I knew she was tired. She only clocked one when she had her first seizure and now she was two and it seemed unending but it would.

I looked at her, so much for giving birth to a girl when she’d copied and pasted her father’s face. I hated him even more.

I lowered myself to her face and kissed her. 

“Mommy's going to get you out of this,” I said before leaving.

I got to my apartment in twenty minutes. The Amex card was right where it had been left it there years ago.  Inside a small box I hadn't touched. Using this card was the only means to save Selene even if I’d rather die than touch anything that belonged to that bastard that still consumed my thoughts. I would rather die but I  also want my daughter to live, she deserves to see the world. 

I sighed in relief when I saw it and made my way back to the hospital. The doctor was at the nurse station when I got there.

“You're back.” She said and I nodded.

“I am. Is it ready?”

“Yes, your flight is an hour and they are getting Selene ready for it.”

She said and I nodded as I made my way to the emergency room to get my daughter.