One evening, as Zoe was about to head home, she saw Anna in the hallway. She was standing with her arms crossed, staring directly at Zoe with a gaze full of suspicion. Seeing that Zoe had noticed her, Anna took a few steps forward.

  • Good evening. Zoe, is it?
  • Yes, she said, flustered, stopping in her tracks. — Can I help you with something?
  • I’d like to talk to you. In private. Anna gestured toward an empty treatment room. A chill ran down Zoe’s spine. Was this going to be an interrogation? But she didn’t show it, simply nodding and following Anna into the room. Anna closed the door and glanced around the empty space. Then she turned to Zoe.
  • How long have you worked here?
  • A few years, Zoe answered, not understanding where this was going.
  • And in that time, you suddenly decided to become a doctor? I heard that you were the one who diagnosed my husband.
  • Um, Zoe hesitated. — I didn’t diagnose him. I just suggested they should check for an autoimmune cause. The doctors ran the tests, and it was confirmed. Anna frowned. — And how did that idea come to you? You’re just a tech, aren’t you?
  • I studied pre-med for a while, a long time ago, Zoe said, keeping the details to herself. — And from caring for patients, I notice little things that others sometimes miss.
  • I see, Anna narrowed her eyes. — Tell me honestly, what’s in this for you? Do you want my husband to be indebted to you? Are you expecting him to pay you off?
  • No! Zoe exclaimed sincerely. — Of course not! I just couldn’t watch him die when I knew something could be done.
  • Or maybe you’re his mistress? Anna asked bluntly, staring intently at the young woman. — I see how you’re always rushing to his side, spending nights at the hospital. Stay away from other people’s husbands, girl.
  • What are you talking about? Zoe gasped, choking on indignation. — I would never even think of such a thing. I’ve never even spoken to your husband outside of my duties here. How could you even think that? Anna gave a cold smirk. — I can think whatever I want. I see some young thing constantly hovering around him. Fine, I’ll believe it’s not you. But if I see you crossing a line, you’ll regret it. Zoe looked away, trying to hold back tears of humiliation. It was unpleasant. But she understood that Anna was probably scared and jealous. Especially since the truth was far worse for Anna: her husband did have a mistress, Maria, and she was pregnant. But that wasn’t Zoe’s secret to tell.
  • Don’t worry, she replied quietly. — I’m just doing my job.
  • I hope so, Anna whispered. — Now get out. And remember, if it weren’t for me, there wouldn’t have been money for any of his treatments long ago. So don’t you dare get too full of yourself. With those words, Anna walked out, leaving Zoe in the treatment room with a lump in her throat. The young woman stood there for a minute, collecting herself. Why am I even explaining anything to her? She doesn’t want to listen. Meanwhile, the real mistress is probably sitting in a hotel somewhere, waiting for news. The irony! Then she wiped away her tears, grabbed her bag, and headed home. On the way, she couldn’t help but wonder: what if, when Mr. Thorne recovered, all of this came out? Would there be a massive scandal?

However, the next day brought new shocks. In the morning, Mr. Thorne started complaining of abdominal pain. His temperature rose, and there was a risk of internal bleeding. The doctors immediately began discussing surgical intervention. With autoimmune liver damage compounded by cirrhosis, esophageal varices—swollen veins in the esophagus—were a major risk for bleeding. Dr. Wallace called in additional specialists. Dr. Silver, who had previously mocked Zoe, now led the team to examine Mr. Thorne.

He felt a sense of responsibility; after all, he had missed the chance to make the diagnosis earlier. Now he was trying to make up for it, working almost without sleep, immersing himself in the details of the case. Zoe saw that he no longer laughed at her; sometimes, he would even look at her questioningly, as if wondering what else she had noticed. But, of course, he never officially asked for her advice.

A group of grim-faced doctors entered Mr. Thorne’s room. He was lying pale, a basin next to him. Seeing them, he tried to sit up.

  • I feel… sick. What’s happening? he managed to say.
  • Geoffrey, stay calm, Dr. Silver said, examining him. — It’s possible you have a bleed from esophageal varices. We need to do an endoscopy. It’s an unpleasant procedure, but it’s necessary.
  • Do whatever you have to, Mr. Thorne exhaled. — I want to live. Dr. Silver assembled his team, and they performed an urgent endoscopy, which revealed signs of a ruptured vein. They immediately performed a procedure to band the bleeding vessels. It was a difficult operation. Mr. Thorne lost a lot of blood and strength, but in the end, the doctors succeeded. After the surgery, he was returned to the step-down unit.

During this time, although she wasn’t allowed in the procedure room, Zoe waited in the hallway. When it was all over, she saw Dr. Silver, pulling off his gloves, sink wearily into a chair, wiping sweat from his forehead.

  • Is he alive? she asked quietly, looking at him. He looked up at her, and there was something different in his eyes, a kind of gratitude for her concern.
  • He’s alive. It was close, but we stopped the bleeding. Let’s hope he starts to recover now.
  • Thank you, Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. Dr. Silver sighed, looked around to make sure no one could hear, and said, — Zoe, you know, I… I acted like a complete ass. But thank you for not giving up on the patient. If it weren’t for your suggestion, we would have kept treating him with the wrong methods, and he probably would have died by now. Forgive me, okay? Zoe almost burst into tears. It was so important for her to hear that one of the doctors finally understood and accepted her. She nodded.
  • It’s okay. The main thing is that he’s alive. Dr. Silver managed a weak smile. — Yeah. For a minute there, I thought… well, anyway, thank you. I’ll try to be better. It was the first truce with one of the doctors who had previously despised her. And Zoe felt that even the most arrogant person could have a seed of humanity inside them.

Mr. Thorne’s recovery from the surgery was difficult, but his vitals gradually stabilized. Anna and Leo continued to take turns keeping watch at the hospital. Maria visited with extreme caution, trying not to cross paths with them, having brief conversations with the patient. He was still weak but sometimes tried to talk about the future. However, when Maria mentioned the baby, he would say, — Let’s talk about that later. I can’t think about it right now. She understood that he wasn’t rejecting her, but he wasn’t ready to take responsibility either. Nevertheless, she appreciated that he didn’t ask her to terminate the pregnancy, and she saw guilt and confusion in his eyes.

Anna, without realizing it, started to become jealous not of Zoe anymore, but of her husband’s condition itself, since all the attention was focused on him. She felt that problems had been piling up in their marriage for a long time. He lay there, ravaged by illness, and she didn’t know how to act. They had been together for so long, but they had grown cold to each other long ago. What if he recovers and leaves me? the thought would flash through her mind. But she would immediately stop herself. That’s ridiculous. He’s a businessman; he won’t just throw everything away.

Leo was already looking ahead. Wasn’t it time to get some documents signed, now that Mr. Thorne could hold a pen? But he was still too weak, and the doctors said it would be at least two more weeks before he could handle any serious business. More and more people in the hospital were learning that a tech had played a key role in saving the patient. Some doctors were impressed; others were angry.

The Chief of Medicine, on the other hand, called Dr. Wallace in for a talk, demanding that he restore the chain of command. Wallace replied that, of course, protocol was paramount, but a patient’s life was more important. In the end, the Chief relented, seeing that this high-profile situation could benefit the hospital. If the rich man survived, he might show his gratitude with a generous donation.

A week later, Mr. Thorne was able to sit up in bed, though he was still very weak. Some of his IVs were removed, he was given a special diet, and his closest relatives were sometimes allowed to visit. His mind was clearer. He understood he had been in the hospital for more than two weeks, that the doctors had saved his life, and that his case was a complex one involving an autoimmune disease. He vaguely remembered being told that a staff member had suggested this line of inquiry, but he didn’t know the details.

One afternoon, when Zoe came in to change an IV bag and check the line, Mr. Thorne looked up at her. She smiled.

  • How are you feeling today?
  • Better, he replied quietly. — You… I saw you in my dreams. When I was very sick. It was like you were telling me not to give up. Zoe blushed. It was unusual for a patient to speak to her so directly. She usually tried to be invisible.
  • I was just doing my job. We were all fighting for your life. He squinted. — They told me. You suggested this course of treatment. You, a tech?
  • Yes, I’m a tech. But I studied to be a doctor for a while, you see.
  • Amazing, he sighed. — Thank you. You saved my life. She shook her head, smiling shyly. — It wasn’t just me. It was a team effort. I just noticed a few symptoms.
  • Still, I’m in your debt. When I get out of here, I’ll be sure to thank you properly. Zoe waved her hands dismissively. — There’s no need. The main thing is that you’re getting better. He smiled weakly, and in that moment, he looked almost happy, despite his weakness and sickly appearance. But then the door opened, and Anna walked in. Seeing her husband talking to the tech, she tensed but pretended not to notice. Zoe quickly finished with the IV and left. Anna sat down in the chair next to her husband.
  • How are you feeling?
  • Better, he confirmed.
  • You didn’t tell me who made the correct diagnosis.
  • Why do you need to know? she asked coldly.
  • Just curious.
  • One of the doctors. What difference does it make? The important thing is they found a treatment, Anna didn’t want to mention Zoe. — You just focus on getting better. You can deal with all your saviors later. Mr. Thorne sensed the tension in her voice but didn’t want an argument right now. He knew their relationship had grown cold, but he felt grateful to Anna for being there during the crisis. As for the future, whatever would be, would be.

Later that evening, Maria came again, a little more confidently this time. Mr. Thorne was more alert, and they were able to talk.

  • Masha, he admitted, — I’m glad you’re here. I thought it was all over. But it looks like I have a second chance.
  • Yes, she nodded, squeezing his hand. — I’m so happy too. And you know about the baby. I… I understand you have a wife, that this is all very complicated. He closed his eyes. — Complicated. But maybe life is giving me a chance. I can’t decide anything right now. I’m weak and helpless. But please, don’t disappear. The baby will be born. She smiled through her tears. — Of course. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just afraid Anna might find out.
  • She will, he sighed. — When I’m back on my feet, I’ll deal with it myself. We might have to officially separate. Our marriage has been falling apart for a long time. But I have to do it in a humane way. Maria nodded in agreement. Then she remembered the tech, Zoe, who had been helping her get in. Would Mr. Thorne want to thank her? After all, she had helped all of them. She asked gently, — Listen, do you know that it was a tech who drew the doctors’ attention to your condition? It wasn’t one of the professors.
  • I was told it was someone who wasn’t a doctor, Mr. Thorne confirmed. — I want to thank her. It’s amazing that in our system, real talent can be stuck doing menial work.
  • Yes. She’s wonderful, and so kind, Maria replied quietly. — And completely selfless. I hope everything works out for her. A few minutes later, Maria left, and Mr. Thorne remained lost in thought. He saw that the life around him was a whirlwind of emotions, intrigues, and struggles. And he himself was vulnerable and couldn’t intervene. All he could do was wait, recover. But deep down, he felt that when he left the hospital, a lot would change. The illness had given him a chance to re-evaluate his life, to break old chains and start something new. All he had to do was get back on his feet.

Another week went by. Mr. Thorne was recovering and could now walk down the hallway with a cane. The doctors said he still had a long rehabilitation ahead, but the crisis had passed. The immunosuppressive therapy was working.

During this time, Anna had a few brief clashes with Zoe, complaining that «you visit my husband too often,» or «you have no business giving advice here, you’re just a tech.» Zoe tried not to react, thinking that soon it would all be over. Mr. Thorne would be discharged, and the storm would pass. But it wasn’t that simple.