Chapter 101: Another chance at Kent

Selen looked down at the file, where the name "Calus Sterling" was printed beneath it was a photograph of a stern, dark-haired man. If she went, she would have to fight this rigid British director daily to save the exhibition. It would be exhausting.

But looking back at the medical framework the panel had built for her girl, the resistance in her chest began to crack. No medical bills. No paying out of pocket for blood tests.

Total financial insulation, free specialized care, clean country air, and her children safely by Kent.

She loathed the thought of going back there. But she could not let her own trauma dictate her children’s health. If she had to face her past to give Diana this chance, she would have to find a way to survive it.

"I want the medical liaison contract signed by the minister before I board the plane," Selen said, her voice now a defensive tone that masked her inner dilemma.

Alejandro smiled, pulling a fountain pen from his pocket. "The minister has already signed the medical riders. They are attached to your itinerary." He said. Now she knew that they had already finalized everything before she was even informed.

She took a deep breath, steeling herself for the ghosts waiting for her across the English Channel. "Please call the embassy," she said to them.

Selen leaned back against the leather sofa in JK’s apartment, the heavy silence of the evening settling over them. Across the room, JK stood by the kitchen counter, pouring two glasses of wine.

He did not speak until he handed her a glass and sat down in the armchair opposite her. "They voted in your absence," JK said, his voice tight with a mixture of anger and exhaustion.

"A four-month deployment. They want me to move the triplets to Kent." she said and took a deep breath.

JK paused, his expression shifting from calm to deep concern. He knew her history. He knew exactly what the word Kent meant to her. "Kent," he repeated softly.

Selen continued to look at him for an expression to give away his emotions but he was neutral. "They actually picked Kent." He said with a sarcastic laugh.

"They claim that it is for Diana," Selen said, staring down at the dark liquid in her glass. "Alejandro showed me the medical data. They are offering a private country estate, completely isolated. Clean air.

They are covering everything, JK. Every medical checkup, every blood panel, the triplets’ school fees, a private medical nanny, even the groceries. They are bypassing the standard stipend. It is total financial insulation. I will not have to touch a single cent of my savings." she said.

JK leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. He did not push her. He did not tell her what she should do. Instead, he just looked at her, his voice entirely steady. "Selen, I want you to know that you do not have to go," he said.

Selen looked up, surprised. "The ministry made it a direct mandate." She cleared up.

"I do not care about the ministry, and neither should you if it compromises your peace," JK said firmly.

"If you do not want this job, if the thought of going back to that place is too much, then do not accept it. Walk away. You already own your private studio space downtown. If you quit tomorrow, we can open your independent art consultancy and restoration studio by next month.

I will help you set it up. I will back you completely. You have the reputation, you have the clients, and you have the capital. You do not need their budget to survive." he said to her with genuine sincerity and confidence.

Selen felt a sudden knot loosen in her throat. Hearing JK offer an escape route, completely free of judgment or professional pressure, was the first real breath she had taken since walking into Alejandro’s office.

He was not looking at her as the Ambassador of Spain’s Art world, he was looking at her as the mother who had spent the last year fighting for her daughter’s life.

"But," JK continued softly, his tone shifting to a gentle and concerned one. "I also need you to look at the facts of what they are putting on the table. Selen, this is an incredible offer" he said to her.

"I know," she admitted. "Think about what you have been carrying," JK said, gesturing toward the folder she had dropped on the coffee table.

"You have been hyper vigilant for months. Every single cough from Diana, every clinic bill, every adjustment for David and Daniel, you have shouldered it all while trying to protect your savings in case of a medical relapse.

This package takes the entire financial burden of Diana’s recovery off your back. The state is paying for top tier private specialists in England. You can not even get that kind of direct, unmetered access here without waiting weeks for approvals." He said.

"And the kids get a walled country estate. No city smog. No keeping Diana locked indoors because the air quality index is too low that day. David and Daniel can actually run around without you worrying about crowd exposure. It is a literal sanctuary for them, entirely funded by the government." He said.

JK was right. Starting an independent business right now meant hustling for clients, managing overhead, and continuing to pay out of pocket for Diana’s ongoing post-transplant care. It meant more stress, not less.

"They also gave me Julian Calus Sterling," Selen added with a dry smile on her lips. "The National Gallery’s Director of Collections. Apparently, he is a rigid nightmare who freezes international exhibitions for fun." she said.

JK turned around, a slight grin breaking through his serious expression. "A rigid British bureaucrat? Selen, you eat people like that for breakfast. You have a law degree and an art history doctorate. He won’t know what hit him." He praised. "That is if you go of course" he added.