Starfall Hospital
Victoria hadn''t closed her eyes all night. She''d sat vigil outside the ER until dawn, nerves strung tight, waiting for any sign-good or bad.
Finally, as the lights in the corridor dimmed, doctors and nurses emerged, pushing an unconscious McNeil on a gurney. Victoria stared at the doctor, her heart pounding. Ailie and Yasmine, rushed in, breathless and anxious, having just heard
the news.
The doctor shook his head. Victoria swayed, suddenly dizzy, and Yasmine caught her arm. Ailie''s voice rang out, shrill with panic. "He''s dead? For God''s sake—"
"Miss, this is a hospital. Please keep your voice down," a nurse interjected firmly.
Victoria could barely breathe, her chest tight with dread.
"No," the doctor replied, ncing at Ailie with a mixture of surprise and annoyance. "Mr. Langford is still alive."
Ailie exhaled hard. "Then why the hell were you shaking your head like that? Trying to give us a heart attack? Is he okay? I mean, that knife nearly went through him! How is he still alive? Even the Grim Reaper didn''t want him?"
"Ailie-" Victoria''s nerves were shot, and every word out of Ailie''s mouth made her heart race. She had to stop her before she said something truly regrettable. "Let the doctor finish."
Ailie snapped her mouth shut.
"Mr. Langford was lucky. The de missed his heart by less than an inch. We managed to save him, but he''s unlikely to wake up anytime soon."
Ailie''s eyes went wide. "What do you mean, ''unlikely to wake up''? What''s the point of being alive if you''re never going to wake up? Is he just supposed to lie there like a shrine for the rest of us to worship?"
Victoria wanted to cry, but for some reason, Ailie''s ridiculous outburst almost made herugh.
"No, seriously what are you saying? Is he in aa, or is he brain-dead? If he''s going to die, just let him go already Can he ever recover? How long will it take? What, is he nning to let the kids grow up without him, and thene back to enjoy his retirement when they''re all settled and sessful? Is that his n?"
The doctor''s face flushed, caught between exasperation and embarrassment. The nurses, used to consoling grieving families, now struggled to hide their amusement, cheeks reddening beneath their masks.
"We really can''t say. Every case is different. It depends on his willpower and physical condition," the doctor replied, barely refraining from rolling his eyes.
Victoria finally let out a breath she hadn''t realized she''d been holding. Oddly enough, she felt less miserable than before.
McNeil was moved to a private room in the ICU. Victoria watched him lying there, pale and motionless, his eyes closed as if he were simply sleeping. For a moment, she felt unmoored, adrift in uncertainty.
Ailie, for all her bluster, fell silent atst.
"Don''t be sad, Vicky," she murmured, though her own tears betrayed her. She turned away, wiping her face before facing Victoria again with forcedposure. Victoria''s voice was steady. "I''m not sad. What''s done is done. I''ll ept it."
She''d already made up her mind to raise her three children alone when she decided to divorce McNeil. She never nned on relying on him.
"I know you''re brave, and you have principles. I know you''ve given him three children even though you knew he didn''t love you. Are you never going to marry again? There are plenty of good men out there, but you''re still hung up on him.
Look at this-Sure, he saved your life, but if it wasn''t for him, Violet never would''ve targeted Gwyn in the first ce. Now he''s got the reputation of a hero while you and your kids are left to pick up the pieces. Honestly, if it were me, I''d rather he died. He''s nothing but trouble."
Ailie had clearly needed to get that off her chest, and Victoria listened quietly, letting her vent.
"I know you mean well, Ailie. But everyone''s life is different. Some things are just meant to be. Don''t worry-I''ll be fine."
If McNeil stayed in thisa forever, there was nothing she could do. She looked
to Yasmine. “Handle Violet''s case however you see fit. I want the harshest penalty possible."