Chapter 2

I decided to gamble.

Ezra might have a razor-sharp tongue, but he was undeniably observant. More importantly, he seemed to have nothing but contempt for my so-called family.

I dropped the helpless act and looked him straight in the eye. "Dr. Thatcher, when can I be discharged?"

His expression was unchanged. "We'll keep you under observation for two more days. If everything looks fine, you can go home."

I took a deep breath, lowered my voice, and held his gaze. "What if… someone requested a heart transplant? How long would that patient have to stay under observation?"

The moment I asked that, I could clearly see the surprise in Ezra's eyes.

The air in the hospital room froze. I held my breath, terrified that he would expose my act and send me right back into the wolves' den any minute.

After a few suffocating seconds had passed, the cold professionalism returned to his eyes behind his glasses. "Ms. Gardner, a heart transplant is a major organ procedure. It's governed by extremely strict medical regulations and legal requirements."

His voice was emotionless, as if he were reciting a passage from a medical textbook. "It's not something a patient can simply request."

I laughed bitterly to myself.

Ethics, law… To Carl and Mandy, the only thing that mattered was Mia staying alive. That was the only principle they had ever cared about.

Still, I couldn't let any of that show. I dug my nails into my palm until it hurt, forcing tears into my eyes. "So, Dr. Thatcher… If a patient is under your care, their safety is guaranteed, right?"

I locked eyes with him and slowly voiced the fear that had been consuming me.

"For example, a patient who's alive, fully conscious, and perfectly sound wouldn't end up on an operating table for no reason, with their heart cut out. Right?"

Every ounce of strength I had went into asking that question. It was my final test for Ezra, the only lifeline I could think of.

Ezra's gaze sharpened again, as cold and precise as a scalpel. He studied my face for a full three seconds.

Then, I heard him cursing in his head, "What a nuisance. Consider me unlucky for getting dragged into the Jenkinsons' nonsense."

Then, he replied calmly, "In theory, yes. You'll be safe as long as you're under my care."

That was it. That was all I needed to hear!

Almost instantaneously, I pressed a hand to my forehead and frowned, my voice so weak that it sounded as though I might pass out at any moment.

"Dr. Thatcher, I suddenly feel so dizzy. Everything's going dark. I'm nauseous, and I think I'm going to throw up. Could my concussion be more serious than we thought?"

Peeking at his expression through the gaps between my fingers, I continued pitifully, "Do you think I should stay in the hospital for a few more days? Say, at least a week? What if I get discharged too soon, and something bad happens?"

Ezra watched my performance with a blank face. For just a split second, I caught a trace of resignation in his eyes.

"The acting's over the top, sure, but her survival instincts are a perfect ten."

He didn't answer me. Instead, he turned and walked toward the door. Before opening it, he paused without looking back and said coldly, "Without my authorization, no one can discharge you early."

With that, he opened the door and walked out.

I collapsed against the bed, my back soaked with cold sweat.

It worked—at least for the next week. As long as I stayed in this hospital under Ezra's watch, I was safe. They wouldn't dare make a move against me out in the open.

Before I could fully relax, muffled voices drifted in from the hallway. Mandy sounded clearly unhappy and anxious.

"What? Another week of observation? That's rather unnecessary, isn't it, Dr. Thatcher? She'd recover much better at home. We can hire the best private doctors…"

Carl chimed in impatiently. "That's right, Dr. Thatcher. Dr. Max Robertson's team has an incredibly tight schedule. They'll only be in the country for one day. Next week…"

I couldn't make out the rest. Ezra must've cut him off with a few icy remarks.

Still, I caught two key phrases loud and clear. I would be under another week of observation, while Dr. Robertson's team would only be here for a day.