Chapter 3 - The Locked Hospital Room
Matthew ordered the hospital staff to begin preparing Anne for surgery.
Victor immediately stepped forward.
“You cannot make medical decisions because of an emotional reaction.”
“I’m not making the medical decision,” Matthew replied. “The surgeon already made it. I’m removing the financial obstacle.”
“The foundation has procedures.”
“A woman may die while your procedures examine a missing document.”
Victor lowered his voice. “You do not know what she wants.”
Matthew looked toward Sarah. “I know she wants to live for her daughter.”
Mrs. Delgado returned and took Sarah’s hand. She recognized Matthew’s name and warned him that Anne would not welcome him.
“She believes you abandoned her,” Mrs. Delgado said.
Matthew’s anger shifted into confusion.
“She disappeared.”
“That is not the story she knows.”
Before he could ask more, a nurse approached. Anne had regained consciousness and was refusing to sign the surgery consent form until she knew Sarah would be cared for.
Matthew followed the nurse to Anne’s room.
Through the glass panel, he saw her lying against white pillows, thinner than he remembered but unmistakably the same woman. Her dark-blonde hair framed a face marked by exhaustion.
Anne turned toward the door.
The moment she saw Matthew, the color left her face.
“No,” she whispered.
Matthew entered slowly.
“Anne.”
“You need to leave.”
“Sarah came to the admissions desk with a box of dolls.”
Fear crossed Anne’s face. “Where is she?”
“With Mrs. Delgado. She’s safe.”
Anne closed her eyes briefly.
Matthew placed the surgery paperwork on the table.
“The doctors say you need this operation.”
“I cannot pay for it.”
“You do not have to.”
Her eyes opened sharply.
“I will not owe another Sullivan anything.”
“This is not a bargain.”
“That is what your father said twelve years ago.”
Matthew froze.
Anne’s hand trembled as she reached toward the call button.
“Leave before Sarah sees you.”
“She already has.”
Anne stared at him.
May you like
Matthew forced himself to ask the question that had followed him from the admissions counter.
“Is Sarah my daughter?”
