Chapter 7 - THE FIRST STEP
The new rehabilitation plan began on a Monday morning.
Dr. Shah explained every exercise before asking Elena to try it. She allowed the child to stop whenever she became uncomfortable. Maren stayed beside her, holding a soft blue cushion and speaking gently.
Adrian stood near the doorway.
He had attended every session since the review began.
“Today we're going to see whether your left foot can respond to a small signal,” Dr. Shah said. “There is no test you can fail. We're just learning.”
Elena looked at Maren.
“What if nothing happens?”
“Then we learn that too,” Maren replied.
Dr. Shah placed a small sensor near Elena's ankle and asked her to imagine pressing her foot downward.
Nothing moved.
They tried again.
Still nothing.
Elena's face crumpled.
“I can't.”
Maren leaned closer.
“You don't have to prove anything to us.”
“But I want to dance.”
Adrian turned away, pressing his fingers against his mouth.
Dr. Shah adjusted the sensor.
“Let's try once more. Think about the movement, not the result.”
Elena closed her eyes.
Her toes moved.
Barely.
A tiny movement, almost invisible.
But the sensor registered it.
Dr. Shah looked at the screen.
“There. That's a response.”
Elena opened her eyes.
“I did it?”
“You did.”
The little girl began to cry.
Maren hugged her carefully.
Adrian crossed the room and knelt beside the bed.
“I'm proud of you, sweetheart.”
Elena reached for his hand.
“Can I dance again?”
Adrian swallowed.
“We'll do everything safely to help you get stronger.”
That evening, he found Maren in the garden.
“She moved her toes.”
“I saw.”
“Dr. Shah says it's a meaningful response, but there is a long road ahead.”
Maren nodded.
“Then we'll take it one day at a time.”
Adrian looked at her.
“Why do you do this?”
“Do what?”
“Stay. Care. Keep believing when the doctors told us to stop hoping.”
Maren looked toward the windows where Elena's bedroom glowed.
“My sister believed someone had to listen to her. She didn't get enough time to prove why.”
Adrian's voice softened.
“I am sorry about Tess.”
“I'm sorry you lost so much time with Elena.”
He accepted that without defending himself.
After a moment, he said, “I want you to know that your position here is not temporary. Whatever happens with the investigation, you will not be punished for telling the truth.”
Maren looked at him.
“That's a promise?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
“Then I have one too. I won't tell Elena that everything will be easy. I'll tell her the truth, and I'll stay while she works.”
Adrian's expression changed.
For the first time, the distance between them seemed smaller.
But before either could say more, Victor appeared at the garden door.
“Boss. We found the driver who was involved in Tess Ashby's death.”
Maren went cold.
“Is he alive?”
May you like
Victor nodded.
“And he wants to talk.”
