te' s mind. Her heart st

inst the guards, a wild thing of pure, unadulterated agony. S

n the stairs, her legs tangling beneath her, sending her sprawl

ust as the paramedics were lifting

ian

s. She collapsed onto the cold pave

gical scrubs, walking with purpose toward the em

strength surged through her. She scrambled

narled, her voice a low growl. "

held a spark of triumph. "Mrs. Spears, I understand you're upset. But I'm a

his!" Charlotte pleaded, turning to Everett, who had followed them out.

cond, she saw a flicker of the old Everet

s. "Everett, darling, she doesn't trust me. After all you've done fo

as gone. His

ice flat and final. He pushed Charlotte

behind them, leaving Charlotte alone in the sterile hallw

pplications, staying up late to review her portfolio, telling her sh

this be th

clock was a hammer blow to her heart. Fin

y gloves with a practiced air of weary c

er lips. "But the damage was extensive. Severe spinal and head tra

gasp. "No. That's not possib

Kaylynn asked, her voice sharp. "You're not a sur

ity. They reviewed the charts, the scans. They all confirmed it. The surgery had saved Julianne's life, but ther

returned to her room. The older

ave protected her. I brought him into our lives." She dug her nails into her ow

She grabbed Charlotte' s hand, stopping the s

hard as flint. "We have to leave, Ch

ispered. "He'll find us.

said, her voice low and urgent. "He always had contingency plans

took root in the barren was

a small bag, she overheard two n

ne's surgery? The one b

? Yeah. The patient almost bled out on the t

n't just unqualified. She was

let her operate