Chapter 18 - Dr. Elias Voss
At exactly 7:18 a.m., the elevator doors opened again.
A tall man stepped out carrying a worn leather medical bag.
His gray travel coat was soaked from the rain.
Dark circles surrounded his eyes.
He had obviously traveled through the night.
"Julian."
Dr. Harrow immediately walked forward.
"Elias."
The two surgeons embraced briefly before getting to work.
No ceremony.
No introductions.
Just urgency.
Dr. Voss removed his coat while already reviewing Lucia's scans.
"How old?"
"Eight months."
"Oxygen crisis?"
"Twice during transport."
He continued reading.
Then stopped.
His eyebrows lifted.
"This vessel..."
Harrow nodded.
"I've never seen this exact variation."
Voss studied every image in silence.
Adrian watched his expression carefully.
Doctors often revealed the truth before speaking.
Finally Voss looked toward Elena.
"You are Lucia's mother?"
"Yes."
He approached gently.
"I know you've heard many frightening things."
She nodded.
"I won't lie to you."
She nodded again.
"This operation will be difficult."
Elena swallowed.
"But?"
"But I believe she deserves the chance."
For the first time since arriving in Iceland...
Those words sounded like genuine hope.
Before anyone could continue, another doctor entered.
"The trauma patient has arrived."
Voss closed Lucia's file.
"I'll examine him first."
Elena's shoulders fell slightly.
Not because she disagreed.
Because waiting had become almost unbearable.
An hour later Voss returned.
His face looked even more exhausted.
Adrian stood.
"The boy?"
"He'll survive if surgery begins immediately."
"And Lucia?"
Voss looked between Harrow and Adrian.
"They both need me."
Silence settled over the room again.
There was only one operating team.
Only one specialist.
Only one morning.
May you like
And two children whose lives depended on impossible timing.
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