“Sweetheart…” he said gently, coming closer to the bed. “You look pale.”
Lydia kept her breathing shallow, her eyes only half open.
“I’m tired,” she murmured.
He leaned in.
“I spoke with the attorney. Just to be safe. In case things… take a turn.”
Lydia opened her eyes wider and studied him.
“Always planning ahead,” she said calmly.
For a brief moment, his mask slipped.
“I’m protecting what’s ours.”
“Ours?” she repeated softly.
Right then, Madison entered carrying a tray, breaking the tension. Ethan stepped back, but his eyes drifted toward the IV pump. Madison noticed immediately.
“Please don’t touch the equipment.”
“Relax,” he said, stiff.
Later that afternoon, Ethan was called into the medical director’s office.
“Mr. Carter,” the director began evenly, “we’ve found irregularities in certain medication orders.”
“Irregularities?”
“Medications not typically used for this diagnosis—authorized under your name.”
Ethan frowned. “I relied on the staff. I’m not a doctor.”
“Interesting,” the director replied, “because since those medications were discontinued, the patient has improved.”
The silence that followed felt heavy.
“Are you accusing me of something?” Ethan asked, cold.
“We’re reviewing the facts.”