Chapter 6
Later that afternoon, while Julian was away at his downtown corporate headquarters, Elena drove Owen to his weekly physical therapy session across town. The clinic was a bright, welcoming space filled with soft pastel colors and modern rehabilitation equipment, a stark contrast to the sterile, intimidating atmosphere of the Vance estate.
Dr. Sarah Vance—no relation to Julian, despite the shared last name—was a compassionate pediatric orthopedic specialist who had worked with Owen for over two years. She greeted them at the door with a warm smile, instantly putting the young boy at ease.
While Owen was strapped into a parallel bar station to work on his core strength, Dr. Sarah motioned for Elena to step into her private consultation office. The concern etched across the doctor’s face was unmistakable.
“Elena, we need to talk about Owen’s progress—or rather, the lack of it,” Dr. Sarah began, closing the frosted glass door behind them. “He has incredible determination, but his current physical therapy routine is merely maintenance. Without the corrective surgical realignment we discussed last year, his bone structure is going to solidify incorrectly as he hits his adolescent growth spurt.”
Elena gripped the edge of the consultation desk, her knuckles turning white. “Dr. Sarah, I need to be completely honest with you. Julian told me—and showed me signed consultation summaries—stating that you and your colleagues in Zurich agreed the surgery was too risky and had a very low success rate.”
Dr. Sarah’s eyes widened in sheer disbelief. She lowered herself slowly into her ergonomic chair, shaking her head. “That is completely untrue, Elena. I never said that. In fact, our Swiss colleagues confirmed a success rate exceeding eighty-five percent for patients of Owen’s exact profile. I sent those reports directly to Julian’s personal email encrypted portal six months ago. He personally instructed me never to mention them to you again, claiming you suffered from severe medical anxiety.”
The confirmation hit Elena like a physical blow. Julian hadn't just manipulated her; he had actively forged medical records and weaponized her maternal instincts against her, all to maintain total control over their son’s physical independence.
“He lied to me,” Elena whispered, tears of betrayal stinging her eyes. “He lied to keep Owen dependent on him.”
“Why would a father do that?” Dr. Sarah asked softly, her professional composure cracking slightly as human empathy took over.
“Because Julian cannot stand anyone around him being whole while he feels broken,” Elena replied bitterly. She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out the Zurich medical report she had smuggled out of the study. “Sarah, I need your help. I’m leaving him. And I need to get Owen into that clinic in Zurich before Julian realizes I’ve uncovered his lies.”
Dr. Sarah looked at the report, then up at Elena with fierce determination. “I have secure medical contacts in Zurich who can expedite the paperwork immediately. But Julian is a powerful, litigious man with deep pockets. If he finds out what we’re planning, he will use every high-priced lawyer in Chicago to block you, freeze your assets, and keep custody of Owen.”
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“Then we don't let him find out until it’s too late,” Elena said resolutely.
***
