Chapter 4: The Transfer
"Listen to me, Elena," Mateo said, taking her trembling, cold fingers between both of his hands. "No one is taking anything from you. Not anymore. You're safe."
He stood up and turned to Marcus, who was standing by the door with a grim expression. "Get Dr. Sterling on the line. I want a private medical transport here in fifteen minutes. We’re moving Elena to the Vance Pavilion at Northwestern Memorial. Book the entire private wing."
"Right away, Mr. Vance," Marcus replied, already dialing.
Elena shook her head weakly, fighting the heavy sedation. "Mateo... the medical bills... we have nothing. I’ve been working three cleaning shifts... just to pay rent on a basement..."
"Stop," Mateo commanded gently, brushing a damp strand of hair from her forehead. "You don't owe a single dime to anyone in this world. You gave life to my daughter. You protected her. Everything I own belongs to both of you."
Chloe walked over to the bed, holding Emma's hand tightly. "Daddy, is this Emma’s mommy?"
"Yes, sweetheart," Mateo answered softly, looking at his two daughters standing side by side. Chloe’s mother had passed away during childbirth five years ago, leaving Mateo to raise Chloe alone in a vast, empty penthouse surrounded by cold glass and steel. He had spent years building a fortress to keep the world out, never realizing half of his heart had been missing all along.
Within twenty minutes, a specialized critical care team arrived, carefully transferring Elena onto a state-of-the-art mobile gurney. As they wheeled her toward the private ambulance, Emma looked up at Mateo, her big eyes searching his.
"Are you going to fix my mommy?" she asked.
May you like
Mateo picked Emma up, holding her against his chest for the first time. "I promise you, Emma. I won't let anything happen to her."
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