Elodie sat in stunned silence for a while.
After all, over these past weeks, she had nearly convinced herself to ept the reality of aplete removal.
Elias could see the dazed look in Elodie''s eyes. He understood that someone physically and emotionally wounded neededfort, but he also had to make sure she knew all the risks and consequences.
He softened his tone. "The precondition is that we''ll need cooperation on a number of fronts. The risks are significant. I''m developing a new treatment with some colleagues overseas. It''s still in clinical trials, so the earliest we could use it would be in about two months. If you trust me, I can start treating you now with the main goal of avoiding removal unless it''s absolutely necessary."
Elodie''s mind was spinning.
It was her body, after all. She needed to weigh everything carefully-she would be the one taking on the risks.
As she sat there in silence, Elias watched her closely. "Can you wait for me a little while?" he asked gently.
If the medication made it into clinical use, he''d do everything he could to preserve Elodie''s ability to have children.
Elodie wasn''t the type to agonize over decisions. She finally let out a breath. "Alright. I''m willing."
Her decisiveness caught Elias off guard.
For Elodie, this meant putting all her hopes in his hands.
"Do you want to talk to your family or anyone close to you before you decide?"
Elias asked, more out of professional obligation than anything else.
Elodie smiled faintly. "No need. I can make my own decisions."
Elias didn''t press further.
By now, he''d more or less understood Elodie''s situation-emotionally and ysically.
When their meeting ended, Elodie thanked Elias politely.
From here, it was up to Elias to draw up a treatment n based on her specific condition.
He prescribed some new medications, all of them expensive—but for the first time in a while, Elodie felt a glimmer of hope, even a bit of longing for what might be possible.
She couldn''t help but think that if she hadn''t handled things so graciously with TerraCore Technologies before, Elias might never have offered to help her.
Sunday.
Elodie packed her suitcase with just the essentials.
She was heading out with Alexander to attend an international academic conference—a trip that would take three days, maybe five or six including travel.
With Esmeralda managing things at VistaLink Technologies, Elodie and Alexander caught a Monday morning flight to New York City.
It took more than ten hours before they finally arrived at the conference hotel.
Elodie didn''t travel abroad often, so this was something new for her.
Still, the long flight left her exhausted.
After checking in, she skipped dinner and copsed straight into bed, sleeping for several hours before she finally felt human again.
By the time she woke, it was nearly midnight.
The opening ceremony was scheduled for the next day, so tonight''s agenda was wide open.
Elodie freshened up quickly and messaged Alexander, asking if he wanted to grab ate meal.
She''d already noticed a charming French bistro in the lobby when she checked in. Alexander replied, telling her to go ahead and order first.
Elodie headed downstairs.
After cing her order, she chose a table outside on the terrace.
It had been ages since she''d felt so rxed. She snapped a picture of the
restaurant, tagged her location, and posted it to her social media.
She''d barely settled in when she spotted two people emerging from the hotel entrance.
Sylvie walked ahead, ncing back at the man behind her, who was still on his phone. She pointed toward the restaurant, smiling.
When Jarrod finished his call and looked up, he saw Elodie sitting beneath the patio umbre.
He didn''t seem surprised-it was as if he''d expected her.
Sylvie noticed Elodie too, but barely acknowledged her before turning to Jarrod "The duck confit here is great. Ie whenever I have time. You should try it."
Jarrod nodded. "Sounds good."
The pair walked right past Elodie''s table.
Neither Jarrod nor Sylvie bothered to greet her; Sylvie treated her as if she were
invisible, chatting with Jarrod as they strolled by.
Elodie didn''t care. It wasn''t
surprising to see the two of them
here together; maybe they were just taking the opportunity for a little getaway.
Just then, Alexander arrived and noticed the two of them, looking every bit the cozy couple.
"Sylvie signed up for the conference,” he exined. “Jarrod must be one of the invited guests, so I guess he''s just joining her."
He''d done some homework on the attendees and knew the general situation.
Elodie nodded. She realized she''d been a little narrow-minded, assuming they''de just for a holiday.
This conference drew top
professionals, schrs, business
leaders and outstanding
independent participants from
around the world. Sylvie was clearly
one of thetter.