Chapter 12 - THE SECRET IN MAREN'S SPINE
During recovery from the poisoning, Maren underwent updated neurological imaging.
Her spinal injury had been considered permanent.
But medicine changes.
A specialist named Dr. Helen Morris reviewed her scans.
“There may be surgical options now that did not exist six years ago.”
Maren stared.
“Walk?”
Dr. Morris did not promise miracles.
“We are not discussing guarantees.”
“We are discussing improved stability.”
“Possible sensory recovery.”
“Maybe some motor function.”
Maren almost laughed.
The timing felt cruel.
The same investigation revealing how she lost mobility now opened a possibility of regaining part of it.
Evelyn became excited.
Maren stopped her.
“I need time.”
“Of course.”
“No.”
“Really.”
“I need everyone to stop treating walking as the ending where I become whole again.”
Evelyn went still.
Maren continued.
“I am already whole.”
“My chair is not the tragedy.”
“What Reed did is.”
Her mother nodded slowly.
“You’re right.”
That mattered.
Maren eventually agreed to evaluation.
Not because she needed to stand to win.
Because she wanted options.
Her father had built his life around options.
Escape routes.
Backup systems.
May you like
Hidden switches.
Maren was beginning to understand him differently.
