That afternoon, the air in the room felt heavier than usual. Dr. Carter, the head neurologist, had requested a private meeting. Daniel already knew. He saw it in the nurses’ eyes, in the silence before the doctor entered.
“Mr. Walker,” Dr. Carter began gently, “we’ve done everything possible. The latest scans show continued decline. Keeping her on life support… is only prolonging something her body can no longer sustain.”
Daniel’s chest tightened.
“Are you asking me to end her life?” he said, his voice shaking with restrained anger.
“I’m asking you to let her rest,” the doctor replied calmly. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll disconnect the machines. Tonight… you should say goodbye.”
When the doctor left, Daniel didn’t yell. He didn’t break anything. He simply stood there, hollow. A man who could move millions with a signature couldn’t buy one more breath for his daughter.
He walked to the window, pressing his forehead against the cold glass. The city outside moved on—people laughing, living, unaware of the world collapsing inside him.
“God,” he whispered, “take me instead. Just give her back.”