Chapter 3 - The Chessboard of Houston
By noon the following day, the battle lines had been drawn.
Wesley Prescott did not take Barrett’s threats lightly. By 9:00 a.m., a team of high-priced corporate attorneys from Prescott & Crane had arrived at the hospital, accompanied by four private security guards wearing tactical gear. They set up a temporary command center in a conference room just down the hall from Jolene’s room.
Wesley’s strategy was brilliant, cold, and entirely legal.
He filed an emergency petition with the probate court, seeking sole medical power of attorney over his incapacitated wife, citing her "unstable family background" and her brother’s criminal record as a direct threat to her well-being and that of the unborn child.
At 1:15 p.m., a courier delivered the court order to the hospital administration.
Tessa was in Jolene’s room, checking her IV lines, when the door opened. Wesley walked in, flanked by two of his private guards and the hospital administrator.
Barrett’s men, who had been guarding the door, were nowhere to be seen.
"What is this?" Tessa asked, stepping between Wesley and Jolene's bed.
"Nurse Morrow," the administrator said, his voice tight. "Please step aside. Mr. Prescott has been granted exclusive medical guardianship by Judge Vance. As of right now, Barrett Cade and his associates are barred from this property. If they attempt to enter, they will be arrested for trespassing."
Wesley smiled, a slow, victorious curl of his lips. He walked up to the side of the bed, looking down at his wife's pale face. He reached out and gently stroked her hair—a gesture that made Tessa’s stomach turn.
"My poor, sweet Jolene," Wesley murmured, his voice dripping with false tenderness. "I promise you, I will protect you from your brother. He’s always been such a violent influence."
He looked up at Tessa, his eyes narrowing into cold slits. "And as for the medical staff... I am restructuring my wife’s care team. Dr. Harrison will remain the primary physician, but I want all night-shift nurses reassigned. Especially you, Nurse Morrow."
"You can't do this," Tessa said, her hands clenching into fists. "She needs continuous care from people who know her case."
"I can do whatever I want," Wesley whispered, stepping closer to her. "This is my city, Nurse Morrow. I built it. I suggest you pack your things and find another hospital to work at. Before your shift notes find their way to the licensing board, along with a accusation of professional misconduct."
Tessa felt the blood drain from her face. He knew about her notes. He didn't have the notebook, but he knew she was watching him.
"Get out of my wife’s room," Wesley said.
Tessa looked at Jolene. The fetal monitor beeped in a steady, fragile rhythm. Thump-thump, thump-thump. The baby was still holding on. But for how long?
With no other choice, Tessa backed out of the room.
As she exited into the hallway, she saw Paul Greer standing near the elevators, surrounded by three Houston police officers. He was being escorted off the premises. Paul didn't resist. As he passed Tessa, his eyes met hers.
He didn't speak, but his gaze was a warning: The game has changed. Get ready.
Tessa hurried to the staff locker room, packed her belongings, and slipped her black notebook into her bag. She walked out of the hospital into the blinding afternoon sun, feeling entirely helpless.
But as she reached her car, a black SUV with tinted windows pulled up beside her.
The rear door clicked open.
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"Get in, Nurse Morrow," a voice called from the darkness inside.
It was Barrett Cade.
