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“Let your wife know, Zeus, but it’s likely she won’t be able to see Brooklyn until tonight. The tests will take some time.”
“That’s fine. It’s enough for now. Madison will just be happy to know her sister has finally woken up. I worry about her being pregnant. The two of them are very close, and she misses Brooklyn.”
Zeus doesn’t need to tell me that. Every time I saw his wife visiting her sister, her love was palpable.
“I need to go back in,” I say. “Once I finish the initial tests on Brooklyn, I’ll call Madison because I gave her my word. But before that, I’d like to ask you a few questions.” I shouldn’t stray into personal matters since a patient’s family life isn’t my concern, but I need to know.
“About what?”
“What really happened that night, Zeus?”
“The night of the attack on Brooklyn’s family, you mean?”
“Yeah.”
He runs a hand through his hair. “From what Madison told me, she believes Brooklyn’s husband—or rather, her partner, since they were never actually married—was involved with the wrong people. It seems the attack was some kind of retaliation.”
“If that’s the case, why was she left alive?”
“A neighbor saw the men entering the house in the middle of the night and called the police immediately. Investigators think the intruders didn’t have enough time to finish what they’d started.”
“But they could’ve gone after her at the hospital.”
“They were arrested, as far as we know. There’s no way to be certain whether anyone else was involved. Regardless, since Madison told me about this, I’ve had security discreetly watching over both the old hospital and yours.”
“Yes, I noticed. Perhaps it would be best to continue the surveillance even after she’s discharged.”
His brow furrows, and before he speaks, I anticipate what he’s thinking and interject. “I need to make sure she’ll be safe.”
“Why?” he asks.
I meet his gaze in silence. I don’t have an answer other than the fact that I see Brooklyn as my responsibility, as crazy as that might seem.
Zeus, however, seems to understand the situation—a situation I’m not ready to dive into yet. How can I explain that I’m drawn to his sister-in-law, who was in a coma until moments ago, without sounding like a creep?
I’ve never looked at a patient in any way other than purely professional before.
“Do you know how much she’s been hurt, Athanasios? It’s not just about what happened that night. Madison told me she was thinking of leaving the father of her babies even before that. Brooklyn is part of my family now. I won’t let anyone hurt her. Keep that in mind.”
I step away, irritated, without saying goodbye.
I’m not used to being confronted by anyone.
The Kostanidis obsession with control—so much like mine—drives me crazy.
About an hour later, after completing Brooklyn’s initial tests, I pick up the phone to call Madison, all the while wondering what I’m getting myself into.
Brooklyn shouldn’t be my problem. I brought her out of the coma. End of story.
“Madison, I broke my promise,” I say as soon as she answers.
“What are you talking about, doctor?”
“I said you’d be the first to know when your sister woke up, but your husband was already here when it happened. She woke up while he was visiting.”
“Yes, I know. Zeus called me, and I’m so happy. But why was he there? Did Brooklyn need something?”
“He’s been coming at least once a week to talk to her.”