After the journalists’ visit, a relative calm returned to the department. Mr. Thorne gradually stabilized. He was still in the ICU but had opened his eyes, could weakly move his hands, and even tried to speak. The first person allowed to see him at this crucial moment was his wife, Anna. She entered and saw her husband, still extremely weak, but looking at her with a coherent gaze.

  • Anna, he whispered, breathing with difficulty. — You’re here?
  • Of course, I’m here, Anna moved closer, trying to smile. — I’ve been waiting for good news this whole time. You just have to hold on. We’re doing everything to keep you alive. Mr. Thorne blinked slowly, as if trying to summon his will. — Thank you. You’re… good. I’m sorry. I was a fool. He spoke in fragments, his fingers fiddling with a catheter.
  • The doctor said… chances… The doctor says there’s a chance now. It will be a long recovery. I made a lot of mistakes, he whispered, and something in his eyes betrayed both fear and remorse. — If something happens to me… check the papers… in the safe… maybe Leo… He couldn’t finish the thought, too weak.
  • Shhh, don’t think about business now. Think about getting better. They spoke for a few more minutes about insignificant things. Surprisingly, Anna didn’t ask if he had any secrets. She saw he could barely speak. Then a nurse asked her to leave to avoid overtiring the patient. Anna left, and though her heart ached, she felt a sense of relief that her husband was alive. The romance in their relationship had faded long ago, but she still didn’t want to lose him; they had spent many years together. And besides, the future of the Thorne family business was closely tied to her own.

The next day, Leo paid a brief visit to the ICU. Mr. Thorne could speak a little more, and Leo was busy updating him: — We’ve had to reallocate some assets, but don’t worry, your share is secure. Mr. Thorne listened with half an ear, nodding with effort. It seemed fighting for his life was more important than hearing about business projects. But Leo still felt it was his duty to keep his friend informed. At the end of the visit, he muttered, — Hang in there, Geoffrey! We still have a ton of papers to sign together. Don’t you dare check out early. Mr. Thorne tried to smile, but it came out as more of a pained grimace. He waved his hand, signaling he was tired, and Leo left.

Maria, learning that Mr. Thorne was conscious, racked her brain trying to figure out how to see him without running into Anna or Leo. She arranged with Zoe to come late in the evening when there were usually fewer visitors. And indeed, around eight o’clock, when things quieted down, Maria slipped into the department. Dr. Wallace gave permission for a few minutes, with a warning: — No drama, understood? And don’t get him agitated. He’s still very weak.

  • Of course, replied Maria, who had no intention of causing a scene. Zoe escorted her. Mr. Thorne was lying with his eyes open, staring at the ceiling. Hearing footsteps, he turned his head and saw Maria. Surprise and emotion flashed in his eyes. He made a weak attempt to sit up.
  • Maria! he whispered, his lips moving a little more strongly than before. — How… why are you here? She approached him, clasping her hands. — I’m sorry, I couldn’t stay away. I was so worried about you. The doctors say you’re out of the critical phase. Thank God!
  • Yes, he said, tired, and nodded. — I almost checked out for good. What’s going to happen to me?
  • They’re treating you. You’re going to get better. She sat on the chair next to his bed and tried to take his hand, but an IV was attached, so she gently touched his fingers instead.
  • Geoffrey, I have to tell you something important. She hesitated and glanced at Zoe. Zoe understood and discreetly moved to the door, pretending to be busy with the equipment.
  • I’m pregnant. With your child. I’m sure of it. Mr. Thorne closed his eyes for a second, as if processing the information. Then he opened them, and his gaze was a mixture of shock, joy, and terror.
  • How… how long?
  • Not long. I only found out recently. I wanted to tell you, but you disappeared. Then I heard you were in the hospital. I didn’t know if you would even survive. Geoffrey… She couldn’t hold back her tears.
  • Please, get better. We need a father.
  • I… He stared at her, struggling to form a reply. Then he barely managed to say, — I will… try. Maria understood it was difficult for him to speak and simply sat beside him, lightly touching his fingers. She knew he was entangled in his relationship with his wife, that he had a mountain of problems, but a child—that was serious. This was no longer a secret affair. She didn’t know how things would turn out, but she decided not to burden him with questions about the future. Let him get better first. After a few minutes, a nurse asked Maria to leave. Before she left, Mr. Thorne whispered, — Thank you for coming.
  • I… She smiled through her tears. — I’ll keep coming. Or I’ll write you notes. Take care of yourself. And she left, leaving him deep in thought. Mr. Thorne stared at the ceiling, trying to grasp it: he might soon be a father, outside of his marriage. Anna knew nothing. And he had just been at death’s door. How was he supposed to live with all of this now? Outside the ICU, Maria rushed to Zoe, who had been patiently waiting.
  • Thank you. He knows everything. She was nearly weeping with overwhelming emotions.
  • He didn’t turn away. Maybe… maybe things will be okay for us?
  • I hope so, Zoe nodded, understanding just how fragile that hope was. — But be careful. Anna could show up at any minute.
  • Yes, yes, I know. I’ll go. Maria fixed her hair, wiped her tears, and hurried to the exit. Zoe watched her go. Then she sighed. What else is waiting for us? She felt an internal tension, knowing that sooner or later, Anna might find out about the pregnancy. And then all hell would break loose. And Mr. Thorne was far too weak to sort out all his relationships. He needed to focus on his health.

That night, Zoe had a strange dream. She was standing before an examination board in a vast hall. Across from her sat Dr. Wallace, Dr. Silver, Anna, and Maria. They were asking her questions about liver diseases, but as she answered, her words were inaudible, as if the sound was turned off. Then suddenly, Mr. Thorne was carried into the hall on a stretcher. He raised a hand, reaching for her, shouting, «Help me!» But still, there was no sound. Zoe woke up in a cold sweat, not understanding what the dream meant, but she had a feeling her life was turning a corner.

The next morning, she arrived for her shift and saw that Mr. Thorne had been moved to a private room in the step-down unit—not quite the ICU, but not a regular room either. It would allow for constant observation while giving close family more access. It meant his condition had improved, even if only slightly. She glanced through the glass partition.

He was sleeping, his breathing more or less even, the equipment less intrusive. Maybe the critical phase was over. Thank God, she thought, but then she remembered her conversation with Dr. Wallace. If Mr. Thorne recovered, she would be in less trouble, since everyone would be happy with the outcome. As for the love triangle, that was far beyond her job description.

Meanwhile, the business drama continued. Leo was calling Anna, consulting on whether to inform certain partners about Mr. Thorne’s condition. Anna told him not yet. Let it remain within a small circle. She had a secret fear that if too many people found out about her husband’s illness, someone would try to take over their business or worse. She was suspicious of Leo; he was very close to her husband and could influence decisions.

  • Tell me, Leo, she asked him one day in the hospital corridor, — what happens if Geoffrey never fully recovers? If he needs a long time to heal and can’t run the business?
  • Well, Leo hesitated. — Then someone else will have to run things. Maybe me. Or we’ll hire a professional manager.
  • And I’ll lose access to the money? Anna asked coldly.
  • What does that have to do with you? Leo raised an eyebrow. — You’re not involved in the business. Unless your husband drew up some kind of power of attorney for you.
  • He didn’t, she admitted with a sigh. — I mean, I have some documents, but they’re just formalities. At least the properties are in both our names. As for the other assets… please, don’t do anything that would harm my family. Leo scoffed. — I’m not going to do anything bad. I need Geoffrey alive, as a partner. Not a corpse. So, our interests are aligned. At that moment, Dr. Fedorov came out and reported some minor improvements. Hearing that her husband would most likely recover, Anna felt a surge of joy and relief. Leo just said, — Well, that’s great, and rushed off to his own business.

Meanwhile, quiet conversations were taking place among the hospital staff. Big changes were coming; a new Chief of Medicine might be appointed, as the current one was getting old and they wanted someone more energetic. Dr. Wallace had no desire for the top job—he was more of a practitioner—but rumors were flying. Some department heads were jockeying for position, and many looked askance at this whole «tech» story, where a low-level employee had intervened and saved a patient. For some, it was heroic; for others, a challenge to the system.

The head nurse, Angela, continued to warn Zoe. — Kid, watch your back. Things are fine for now, but if something goes wrong, they’ll pin it all on you. They’ll say you interfered where you shouldn’t have. Zoe understood. But she believed the truth was on her side. The patient was getting better. And Dr. Wallace had promised to help. She hoped the situation would resolve peacefully and everyone would be satisfied in the end. But life, as we know, is unpredictable.