Page 36 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

“Ohhh, so you’re both dating her?” My eyebrows shoot up and I try not to let my eyes bug out of my head

“Actually, Mady is dating me, Chad, Lochlan, and Isaac. We know it’s not common, but it works for us, mostly.”

Okay, my curiosity is officially piqued. “No judgement here, I just didn’t know Chad was seeing someone.”

“I have a feeling Ella may be responsible for that. She was a little strict with what information we could relay to you in rehab. We’ll fill you in on it all later. There’s quite a bit to tell.”

Before I can respond, a guy in a lab coat that I’ve met a few times comes up to us.

“Just reviewed the scans. It’s not good. I’ve already phoned into the operating room to tell Doctor Miller, but he said you weren’t in there yet.”

“Lochlan, this is Arden.” Caleb gestures towards me as he makes the introduction. “I believe you’ve probably seen each other, but I’m not sure if you have actually met.”

“Nice to officially meet you. I’m a radiographer here, and I’ve met Ella a few times, so I took over when she came in.”

“It’s good to meet you as well. How bad is it?”

“From what I can see, it looks like there is a torsion. Her right ovary has twisted along the fallopian tube and there is a mass on the ovary. I can’t discern if it’s a cyst or a tumour, but it definitely wasn’t there six weeks ago when I did her last scan. Whatever it is, it will need to come out. But the problem is, I don’t think they will be able to remove it safely without removing her uterus. With her history, I’m expecting there to be some adhesions, which will make it more complicated.”

I let his words sink in. I’d already decided, but this confirms that I’ve made the right choice.

I just hope she’ll be okay when she gets out of surgery.

“Here’s the consent form for you to sign. I believe you are doing the right thing. I’ve gotten to know Ella recently, and I think she’ll accept this.”

I don’t know what to say. I just nod and sign on the dotted line.

Caleb heads into the operating theatre, and Lochlan heads back to radiology, leaving me alone to wait for news.

Ella

I open my eyes and wince as I try to move. Thathurts. I squeeze my eyes shut again and make myself lie still. The nurse told me that a doctor would be around to see me soon to explain what happened during the surgery.

Surgery.

I just had emergency surgery.

I remember waking up in pain and going to the bathroom, but that’s it. The rest is a blur.

“Ells?” Yasmin’s soft voice breaks through my thoughts. I slowly open my eyes and move my head towards her voice. I’m met with both hers and Rhys’s worried expressions.

“Hi.” My voice croaks, dry from the oxygen.

“It’s a silly question, but I still have to ask. How are you feeling?” Yasmin’s face is pinched in concern. I can’t help but laugh, then immediately regret it as pain lances through me.

A few moments pass before I can answer. “Like I’ve just been hit by a truck and then reversed over.”

Rhys gets up and pours me a glass of water. He holds the straw to my mouth. “That’s to be expected. The doctor said you can drink a bit of water.”

I take a slow sip and let the cool liquid soothe my dry throat.

“Thank you. Did they tell you what happened?” I don’t think Iwantto know . . . but Ineedto know.

He shakes his head. “No, they wouldn’t tell us because we aren’t family.”

It’s then that I realise my family hasn’t shown up. They’ll have heard what happened; if Rhys and Yasmin are here, it means Chad knows, and he would have called them.

It could be just the lingering effects of the anaesthetic, but tears form in my eyes. I’m not a priority for my aunt and uncle. They love me, but not in a way that a parent loves a child. More like how you would love a distant relative. I’m used to it, but part of me hoped they cared enough to come and see me.

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