"Because if Dr. Webb begins administering medication or interventions based on an incomplete diagnosis, it might counteract what my specialist will need to do when he arrives." Vincent's expression was serious. "Different treatment protocols can interact badly. If Webb starts one approach and my specialist needs to implement another, they could render both ineffective. Or worse, create complications that make it impossible to determine the original cause of the cardiac failure."The logic made sense, but Gianna felt torn. On one side stood Dr. Peter Webb—celebrity physician, recognized expert, with credentials plastered across television screens and bestseller lists. On the other side stood Vincent, asking her to delay treatment based on a mysterious specialist who hadn't even arrived yet."Vincent, I want to trust you." Gianna's voice cracked slightly. "Your confidence, the way you care about this—it makes me want to believe. But it's not easy. Not after what Kevin just did, bringing

"What else could it be?" Gianna's hands clenched into fists. "I tried to set you up with that seductress. I planted cameras in your room. I've been cruel and dismissive and desperate to get rid of you. And now, when my grandmother is dying, when I'm at my most vulnerable—you decide to make a fool of me with these impossible lies!""I'm not lying—""Yes, you are!" Gianna's voice broke. "You've been lying from the start! About who you are, about your connections, about everything! And I kept believing you because I was desperate and scared and stupid enough to think that maybe—just maybe—you actually cared!"The waiting room was completely silent now, watching the meltdown with a mixture of pity and schadenfreude.Vincent took a step toward Gianna, his hand reaching out. "I do care—""Don't touch me!" Gianna jerked back. "Don't you dare! You've humiliated me enough for one day!"She turned away from him, her shoulders shaking, and looked at Kevin and Dr. Webb. Her voice was hoarse when

The sound of running footsteps preceded Gianna's return. She'd only made it halfway to the cafeteria when she heard Kevin's shout. Her heart seized with fear—had something happened to Nonna? Had Vincent done something worse?She burst back into the waiting room to find Kevin on the floor, his face bright red with the unmistakable imprint of a hand across his cheek. Vincent stood over him, looking like barely restrained violence given human form."What happened?" Gianna demanded, her eyes darting between them."He attacked me!" Kevin gestured at his face, his voice pitched with false distress. "I was just—I was just telling him that Dr. Webb and I would do our best for Nonna, that we'd give her the absolute best care possible—and he just snapped! Hit me across the face like some kind of vicious animal!"The lie came out smooth and practiced, hitting all the right notes of shocked innocence and undeserved victimization.Gianna looked at Vincent, waiting for him to deny it, to explain, t

Because standing in the corridor, having just exited the elevator, was a group of five physicians in immaculate white coats. The lead figure was unmistakable—mid-fifties, distinguished bearing, an air of absolute authority that filled the entire hallway.Dr. Carl Jensen.The actual, genuine, no-question-about-it Dr. Carl Jensen.Dr. Webb's mouth fell open. His team froze behind him, equally shocked."Dr. Jensen?" Dr. Webb's voice came out strangled. "What—how—"Carl Jensen barely glanced at him, his attention focused on the chart one of his team members was already pulling up on a tablet. "Dr. Webb. I didn't realize you were involved in this case.""I—yes, I was just about to begin treatment—""Were you." It wasn't a question. Carl's tone was polite but dismissive, the same way someone might acknowledge a child's attempt to help with adult work. "Well, no need now. My team will handle it from here.""But I've already reviewed the patient's file and developed a treatment protocol—""I'

The waiting room buzzed with confused conversation as everyone tried to make sense of what they'd just witnessed. Questions flew from all directions, overlapping and contradictory."Did Dr. Carl Jensen really come because of Vincent?""Vincent? That nobody contract husband?""It can't be possible. Can it?""How would someone like Vincent even have Dr. Jensen's phone number?""Maybe it's a different Dr. Jensen?""Don't be ridiculous, we all recognized his face!""But Vincent is just a security consultant! He answered a newspaper ad!"The cognitive dissonance was painful to witness. Everything they knew about Vincent—everything they'd believed, every insult they'd hurled, every laugh they'd shared at his expense—was crashing against the undeniable reality that Dr. Carl Jensen had just walked through those doors.Rocco, standing in the midst of this confusion with his face still burning from Dr. Jensen's casual dismissal, saw an opportunity in the chaos. Dr. Jensen's silence when Rocco h