Chapter 4 - THE BRACE
By the end of the first week, Maren had learned three things about Elena.
She hated blue flowers.
She loved stories about dragons.
And she was terrified whenever Celeste entered the room.
The third discovery troubled Maren more than the others.
Elena never cried in front of Celeste. She simply became very still, as if even breathing too loudly might bring trouble.
One afternoon, Maren helped her prepare for a supervised physical therapy session.
The therapist, Dr. Samuel Reed, arrived with a clipboard and a practiced smile.
“Let's see how our brave girl is doing.”
Elena looked toward Maren.
Maren gave her a small nod.
Dr. Reed checked the brace and adjusted one of its straps.
“Any discomfort?”
Elena shook her head.
“Good. We don't want to overwork those muscles.”
Maren noticed the brace was fastened tightly around the lower leg. The edge pressed against a patch of irritated skin.
“Could the strap be loosened slightly?” she asked.
Dr. Reed glanced at her.
“It's fitted according to the prescription.”
“I understand. I'm only concerned about the redness.”
“I'm the physician.”
Maren lowered her eyes.
“I wasn't questioning your qualifications.”
“Then don't question my instructions.”
Elena's fingers began to tremble.
Maren crouched beside her.
“Would you like me to hold your hand?”
Elena nodded.
The session continued.
Dr. Reed asked Elena to attempt a small movement with her left foot. Nothing happened.
“Again.”
Elena tried.
“Again.”
Her breathing quickened.
Maren squeezed her hand.
“That's enough for today.”
Dr. Reed frowned.
“We haven't completed the session.”
“She is exhausted.”
“Her father expects progress.”
“Her father expects her to be safe.”
The physician's expression cooled.
He finished the assessment and left with a promise to report the interruption.
That evening, Adrian summoned Maren.
“Dr. Reed says you interfered with treatment.”
“I stopped a session when Elena became distressed.”
“He says she needs consistency.”
“She needs someone to notice when she's in pain.”
Adrian leaned back.
“Are you saying he is hurting her?”
“I'm saying her brace is leaving marks, and she becomes frightened when he raises his voice.”
Adrian was silent.
“Why didn't you tell me earlier?”
“I was hired to care for your daughter, not to flatter the people who treat her.”
He looked toward the window.
Then he pressed the intercom.
“Victor. Find an independent pediatric rehabilitation specialist. Someone with no connection to St. Catherine's.”
Maren felt a small measure of relief.
Adrian turned back.
“Until then, no one changes her treatment without a second opinion.”
The next morning, an independent specialist named Dr. Priya Shah examined Elena. She reviewed the brace, the therapy records, and the medication schedule.
Her expression grew increasingly serious.
“Mr. Castellane, I would like to arrange a full reassessment.”
“Why?”
“The brace is not necessarily wrong, but it appears to have been adjusted without a recent functional evaluation. Some of the measurements are inconsistent.”
“Can she walk?”
Dr. Shah did not promise anything.
“I can't answer that today. We need updated imaging, nerve testing, and a careful review of her injury. But I see no reason to assume that her current limitations are the final word.”
Adrian gripped the back of a chair.
“Why was I told there was no hope?”
“I can't speak to what another doctor told you. I can tell you that this child deserves a fresh assessment.”
Elena looked at Maren.
“Does that mean I'm not broken?”
Maren knelt beside her.
May you like
“It means you're Elena. And we're going to find out what your body can do, one safe step at a time.”
For the first time, the little girl smiled without looking toward the door.
