Chapter 11 - The Condition Nobody Had Seen
Elena was still beside Lucia when Dr. Harrow entered intensive care.
She stood immediately.
"What did you find?"
Harrow pulled a chair close.
Adrian remained near the doorway.
He had seen enough hospital conversations to know that doctors only asked parents to sit when the news was difficult.
Elena refused.
"Just tell me."
Harrow placed the scans on a tablet.
"Lucia has the arterial obstruction we expected. But the new imaging also shows an abnormal vessel compressing part of her airway."
Elena stared at him.
"Was it there before?"
"Probably. But it was too small to detect clearly."
"Is that why she stopped breathing properly?"
"It likely contributed."
"Can you remove it?"
"Not simply."
Harrow enlarged the image.
"The vessel is connected in a dangerous position. Correcting the heart problem without addressing the airway could cause another crisis. Addressing both at once increases the surgical risk."
Elena slowly sat.
"How much risk?"
Harrow chose his words carefully.
"More than we anticipated."
Adrian looked toward Lucia.
The baby slept beneath warming blankets, surrounded by tubes and monitors.
Her stuffed rabbit had been placed near her hand.
Elena reached through the rail and touched her fingers.
"I didn't come this far to stop."
"No one is asking you to stop," Harrow said.
"Then operate."
"We need a second specialist."
"Where?"
"London."
Elena's eyes widened.
"We just landed."
"The surgeon I need is attending a conference there."
"How long until he arrives?"
"Several hours, if he agrees immediately."
Elena looked toward the monitors.
"Does Lucia have several hours?"
Harrow did not answer fast enough.
Adrian stepped into the corridor and removed his phone.
Signal had returned.
He called his former assistant.
A sleepy voice answered.
"Mr. Cole?"
"Find Dr. Elias Voss."
A pause.
"The airway reconstruction specialist?"
"Yes."
"His office won't be open yet."
"Call his personal number."
"I don't have it."
"Then find someone who does."
Adrian heard typing.
"Sir, the foundation staff no longer reports to me."
"They do now."
Another pause.
"Does that mean the foundation is active again?"
Adrian looked through the glass at Elena and Lucia.
"Effective immediately."
His assistant inhaled sharply.
"I'll contact everyone."
"And arrange a medical aircraft from London to Reykjavik."
"That could cost—"
"I don't care."
"I understand."
Adrian ended the call.
When he returned, Elena was speaking quietly to Lucia.
"You've already crossed an ocean, sweetheart. You can wait a little longer."
Harrow approached Adrian.
"Even if Voss comes, there are no guarantees."
"I know."
"This could become public."
"I know."
"The foundation's creditors may challenge your authority."
"Let them."
Harrow lowered his voice.
"Why are you doing this?"
Adrian watched Elena brush Lucia's hair with trembling fingers.
"Because I spent three years believing grief gave me permission to stop caring."
A nurse entered quickly.
"Dr. Harrow, Lucia's blood pressure is falling."
The medical team moved immediately.
Elena was guided away from the bed.
Adrian reached for her, but she pushed past him.
"No. I need to stay where she can see me."
The monitor alarms grew louder.
Harrow began issuing orders.
Medication was prepared.
Oxygen flow increased.
Elena stood behind the glass, pressing one palm against it.
Adrian stood beside her.
His phone vibrated.
A message appeared from his assistant.
FOUND DR. VOSS. HE IS WILLING TO COME.
May you like
A second message followed seconds later.
BUT THE AIRPORT HAS CLOSED DEPARTURES DUE TO THE STORM.
