Chapter 31
31 I Have No Choice
(Winona)
"Will she be okay, Doctor?"
He nods. "She will but we need matching blood stock as soon as we can get it. We don't have any on hand and it could be lifesaving for her during coming operations. If her body continues to reject blood, it will be life or death for Abby." "I see." I grip my hands together.
"So, Phillip can have his blood tested, do you have any other blood relatives to Abby you can call on? It's no guarantee but it's the best hope we have right now. We've put out a general call for people to get 'tested for this genetic marker."
I shake my head. I'd sent Phillip to work, telling him I was okay with handling this on my own. I just really needed to think. "Phillip is not her biological father and my blood isn't a match."
I breathe out slowly, realizing how I have to tell Jayden after denying this since I've been back. None of this was supposed to happen.
"I see. Your parents maybe? Siblings?"
"No, I'm an only child, both my parents are dead. Anne is my foster mother. I never knew any relatives of my parents."
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"Winona, I know this may be hard, but you need to contact her biological father and have him and his close family screened. It's vital."
I nod. Now I had nowhere to hide. I must tell Jayden he is the father and Abby and a blood test will prove it. Just when I thought we'd gotten through the whole conflict and convinced him Phillip was Abby's father. "I'll sort it out, Doctor."
"Abby will undergo surgery again next week to strengthen what was done last night. She's a fighter. There's at least six months dedicated care she'll need. Now, about the Brennan Wing..."Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
"I haven't had a chance to get that sorted yet, but I will today." I can afford that for six months along with the operations and top medical care. I'd also invested money in a trust for Abby's future and bought our townhouse. My bank is not as full as it was after the deal with Jayden.
I know I need to get back to work and I'm going to ask Jayden about working from home, or rather the hospital. I can't afford for the income to stop as much as I'd love to be able to focus on Abby full time.
"Actually, I have instructions here, from the Brennans, that Abby is to be in there as long as she needs and gets top care. All covered, no cost to you." Doctor Green reads off his paperwork.
"I beg your pardon?"
"There's a three-bedroom suite reserved and fully stocked ready for you to go to now."
I'm stunned at this news. "...It's too much to accept." I guess Jayden has organized this. I doubt Judy knows.
311 Have No Choice
Dr. Green looks at me solemnly, "this may be the reason we get your daughter through this. Aftercare is so important and being in there with dedicated staff 24/7 may be why Abby thrives. Besides, if she does have to go on the list for a heart transplant, it could be years." My heart smashes into pieces at the thought of losing my daughter like that. But a transplant for a heart isn't easy to come by. I need to give her the best care she can get. I hate accepting charity from Jayden, but there's really no choice. I'm not putting Abby at more risk because of my ego. "I'm grateful for the generosity."
"We'll see Abby sedated most of the time until we find some blood, to control her pain, and get her moved in asap. You take this opportunity to do what you need to do and grab what you need for the suite. It will be your home away from home for a while."
"I'll get Anne to come and be with Abby while she's moved, and I'll go shower and do what I need to do. Thank you, Doctor."
"Abby is in the best hands, Winona. Just make sure you take care of yourself as well."
I nod. "I will."
My hands are shaking as I connect Anne's number on my cell.
"Hello, Winona? Is Abby okay?"
"She's okay for now, considering..."
"Did something happen?"
"Her body has rejected the blood they gave her. We need to have her biological relatives screened for the genetic marker."
"Oh no! I'm just glad she's going okay for now. Are you alone? I'm coming there."
"Phillip had to go to work but he knows about it. I need you here with Abby while they move her to the Brennan Wing. I need some things packed so I can move in with her.".
"I'm onto it. I'll pack you and Abby a suitcase."
"I'm going to see Jayden."
"... I'm not sure that's a good idea in your current emotional state."
"I can't talk to him about this over the phone."
"Maybe not but you need a decent sleep first, at least. Il come and be with Abby and you tonight, so you can sleep. Talk to him tomorrow."
"This is Abby's life here. I'm going to see him today. To tell him he's Abby's father."