Page 41 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

It’s all I need. I shift her slightly to hold her tighter, and I continue to comfort her through her tears while the surgeon explains what happened this morning. Our futures are forever changed in a single conversation.

And this absolutely affects both of us; even if I wanted to, there is no way I’m leaving Ella now.

Ever.

Ella

It’s been a week since I was discharged from the hospital after a long ten days, and it turned my life upside down in more ways than one.

The first turn of events came in the form of Arden practically confessing his love for me.

Okay, he didn’t even come close to admitting that, but I could see it in his eyes when he let his guard down and let me in.

Everything changed that day.

Arden has held me every night while I’ve cried.

Mourned.

Mourned for something I will never have.

The surgeon explained I had a tumour on my ovary, and it had twisted along my tube, which is what caused the symptoms that morning. He then explained that my husband made the right choice when he told them to remove my uterus as well. Apparently, he signed the consent form before they even knew what was wrong. Arden had remembered all the conversations we had while he was drunk. When they went in, they discovered I had stage 4 endometriosis. They took some samples and, turns out, it was endometrial cancer. Given my history and symptoms, they would have recommended a total hysterectomy, had I not just had that done.

Arden being Arden, he got some other opinions to reassure me.

He knew this meant I’d never have kids, and by default,we’llnever have kids if he makes good on his promise to stay with me always.

My remaining ovary was left to prevent early menopause, but they are monitoring it closely.

There was a review at the hospital which Arden’s dad insisted on flying back for. It was a meeting with upper management, and he epically lost his shit at their lack of care when it came to my past admissions. He couldn’t understand how this wasn’t found when I was in hospital a few months back.

I’d only met Mr Blakely once before, but I quickly discovered that he and Arden are a force to reckon with when they are together. The Blakelys get shit done in a way I have never seen before.

Last I heard, there was still no answer why the endometriosis wasn’t picked up earlier.

Lochlan claims it was because he didn’t do my scan.

Speaking of Lochlan, he and the rest of Mady’s harem—although Chad is in denial, still claiming he isn’t a part of one—visited every day. They all showed up as part of Arden’s gesture to win me over. No one even questioned the position they found Arden and I in when they first arrived. I was napping with my head on his chest. They just looked at us and smiled. Pretty sure I heard Rhys mumble “about time” under his breath.

Arden had arranged for everyone to come to the hospital for a movie night. It was well timed after the conversation with the doctor. I mostly slept, but they all stayed. Not sure how Arden pulled it off, but the nurses didn’t even fight him on it. First, they moved me to a bigger room—one that was set up with a projector and a bunch of beanbags all over the floor. Then Mushu’s delivered a feast of Chinese food for everyone. I was only allowed soft food, so Martha made me some mashed potato. She had come back to New Hope with Ralph.

My room was packed most of the time with Arden, Rhys, Yasmin, Chase, Ally, Ralph, Chad, Mady, Caleb, Shamus, Lochlan, Isaac, and on occasion, Logan, who popped in and out at random.

It didn’t take long for Isaac to get the shits with the overcrowding, so he made a visiting schedule on his laptop, emailed it to everyone, and that was it. Arden actually sighed with relief when Isaac did that. He hadn’t left my side, and we were both exhausted, but we’d also had little time alone, so having a schedule worked for us.

I laughed when I first saw it. Arden was on the schedule for every minute of the day, and Ralph and Shamus were on rotation to be here in case either of us needed anything.

Everyone else had allotted times, with the exception of Caleb and Lochlan—they could check in when they were on shift. Otherwise, they could only come with Mady and co.

I was overwhelmed most of the time; these people were there for me, and it was a hard swallow. I often snuggled into Arden and hid for a while to wait for the overwhelming emotions to pass. What made these people even more perfect: no one judged me for it.

At one point, Rhys and Chad made Arden leave me so they could check in on me. They are both protective of me and willing to blow up their friendship with Arden at my say so—it’s endearing. Of course, I’d never let them do that. But just the fact that theywouldmakes me realise how much they truly care for me.

* * *

The niggling pain in my abdomen intensifies, and as if Arden is in tune with my body and pain, he pulls me closer into his arms and kisses the top of my head. This is how we sleep every night. Me draped all over him, trying to find the least painful position, and him enveloping me in his muscular arms. His hold on me is tight, as if he’s making sure I won’t disappear in the middle of the night.

“Good morning, beautiful.”

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