Chapter 3 - The Family Defense
Uncle Arthur swept into the treatment area like a corporate litigator arriving for a hostile takeover. His eyes swept over me with casual disdain before locking onto Dr. Hayes.
"Doctor, I am Arthur Sterling. We are discharging my nephew immediately. He has a rare metabolic condition, and your staff is causing an unnecessary panic over a simple fainting spell," Arthur stated, his tone dripping with practiced authority.
Dr. Hayes didn't flinch. "Mr. Sterling, your nephew is currently in the ICU suffering from acute poisoning. We have recovered physical evidence, including a chemical vial and blood samples, which are currently being processed by the state toxicology lab. This is now a police matter."
The grandmother stepped forward, leaning heavily on her polished ebony cane. Her gaze didn't land on the doctor, nor on her grandson recovering inside the room. It landed squarely on me.
"You stubborn little fool," she said softly, her voice carrying a terrifying weight that made the hairs on my arms stand up. "You are destroying generations of preservation for a momentary tantrum. Open the door. Let me speak to my grandson."
"You aren't going anywhere near him," I stepped forward, putting myself directly between her and the trauma bay doors. "You drugged him. You paralyzed him on our wedding night. What kind of sick family ritual requires rendering a groom unconscious?"
May you like
Arthur scoffed, stepping in front of the old woman. "Listen to yourself. Paralyzed? Drugged? You’re a hysterical bride who couldn't handle the reality of marrying into a powerful family. Drop the theatrics, sign the discharge papers, and let's take him home before you embarrass us all."
At that exact moment, a sharp, frantic beeping began to echo from inside Trauma Room 4.
