Chapter 9 - THE GIFT OF BREATH
Three weeks later, the snow had melted into early spring slush, but inside the private surgical wing of Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the air was tense with anticipation.
The Ashford family’s assets had been entirely liquidated by the federal government and council receivers. In a poetic stroke of justice, the four point two million dollars stolen by Camila and Julian had been reclaimed and placed directly into an endowment for the city’s transplant unit.
And at dawn that morning, a perfect organ match for Josie Croft had arrived via helicopter from Minneapolis.
Adeline paced the waiting room floor, wearing a simple cream dress. Her fingernails were dug into her palms. Across from her, Ambrose sat patiently, holding a thermos of coffee, while Enzo stood by the window, his mobile phone glued to his ear as he managed the final remnants of the city’s underworld restructuring.
Enzo ended the call, slipped the phone into his pocket, and walked over to Adeline. Without saying a word, he took her cold, trembling hands into his warm ones, gently uncurling her tight fists and lacing his fingers through hers.
“Dr. Henderson has performed over four hundred of these procedures, Adeline,” Enzo assured her softly. “She is in the best hands in the country.”
“I know the medical statistics, Enzo,” she said with a weak, anxious smile. “That’s what terrifies me. Complications happen. Rejection happens.”
“Not today,” Enzo said with absolute, unyielding conviction. “The universe owes you and your sister a lifetime of peace. It will not collect today.”
The heavy swinging doors of the surgical suite opened. Dr. Henderson stepped out, pulling down his surgical mask. His face was lined with exhaustion, but beneath his graying eyebrows, his eyes were bright.
Adeline stopped breathing.
“Doctor?” Enzo asked, feeling Adeline stiffen beside him.
Dr. Henderson smiled warmly. “The donor lungs took beautifully. Perfusion was immediate and complete. We closed fifteen minutes ago, and her vitals are stronger than they’ve been in three years. Miss Croft... your sister is going to live a long, healthy life.”
Adeline let out a choked cry, her knees buckling under the sheer weight of relief. Enzo caught her instantly, scooping her up into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest as she buried her face in his neck, weeping tears of pure, unadulterated joy.
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“She’s going to live,” Adeline sobbed against his skin. “Enzo... she’s going to live.”
“She is,” Enzo whispered, his own eyes shining with unshed emotion as he kissed her temple. “She is, my brave girl.”
