Chapter 7 - The Longest Three Hours
The surgical team took Anne into the operating room shortly after noon.
Sarah watched the doors close.
“Mommy always comes back,” she whispered.
Matthew sat beside her.
“She has a very good surgeon.”
“But what if she gets scared?”
“Then she will remember you’re waiting.”
Sarah leaned against Mrs. Delgado, still holding Hope.
Three hours passed.
During that time, Matthew learned how Anne had built a life without him. She taught reading classes at a community center during the day and handled bookkeeping for a restaurant at night. She never accepted money from anyone she could not repay.
“She was afraid Victor would find Sarah,” Mrs. Delgado explained. “Every time someone mentioned the Sullivan Foundation, she changed doctors.”
That fear had almost cost Anne her life.
The surgeon finally entered the waiting area.
“The procedure went well,” he said. “She will need time to recover, but we expect a good outcome.”
Sarah jumped from her chair.
“Can I see her?”
“Soon.”
Matthew turned away for a moment, pressing one hand over his eyes.
His phone rang.
The Sullivan Medical Group board had voted to suspend Victor during an investigation. Preliminary records showed that Victor’s office had interfered with Anne’s insurance account and several other patient assistance cases.
Matthew was asked to return as acting chairman.
He declined.
“I will cooperate with the investigation,” he said. “But I won’t replace one Sullivan controlling everything with another.”
When Anne woke, Sarah was the first person allowed into the room.
Matthew waited outside.
After several minutes, Sarah opened the door.
“Mommy says you can come in, but only if you don’t make her upset.”
Matthew nodded solemnly.
“I will do my best.”
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Anne looked exhausted, but alive.
For that day, it was enough.
