The Billionaire Was Declared Brain Dead—But His Maid’s Crying Toddler Refused to Leave His Side
Chapter 5
The next morning, Claire returned to the hospital with the photographs hidden inside her bag.
She didn’t tell anyone.
Not the nurses.
Not the attorneys.
Not Marcus.
Only one person received a message.
Dr. Lena Parker.
Claire had seen her name on Adrian’s original surgical team list.
A neurologist.
And, according to the hospital directory, she wasn’t part of the current brain-death assessment.
Claire found her in a consultation room.
“I need to ask you something.”
Dr. Parker looked up.
“About Mr. Blackwell?”
“Yes.”
Claire placed a printed page on the table.
“Did you personally perform the brain-death examination?”
Dr. Parker frowned.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“I wasn’t on call that night.”
“Who was?”
Dr. Parker hesitated.
“Dr. Howard.”
Claire’s stomach tightened.
“The same doctor who keeps telling me the diagnosis is final?”
“Yes.”
Claire showed her the photograph of Adrian’s hidden message.
“Then please look at this.”
Dr. Parker read it.
Her expression changed.
“Where did you get this?”
“His study.”
“Did anyone else see it?”
“No.”
Dr. Parker studied Claire carefully.
“Why do you trust me?”
“Because you’re the only neurologist on the original trauma team who wasn’t involved in the declaration.”
That answer seemed to matter.
Dr. Parker nodded.
“Show me the medical records.”
Claire opened the files.
Dr. Parker read in silence.
Then she stopped.
“What?”
“This medication.”
“What about it?”
“It’s a powerful sedative.”
Claire frowned.
“Would that matter?”
“Under ordinary circumstances, no. But in a patient with certain injuries, a high enough level can suppress neurological responses.”
Claire looked up.
“Could it make someone appear brain dead?”
“It can complicate testing significantly.”
Dr. Parker’s expression hardened.
“The drug should have been cleared before the final examination.”
“Was it?”
“I don’t know.”
Claire showed her another page.
The dosage had been administered shortly before the brain-death assessment.
Dr. Parker stood.
“This needs to be investigated.”
Claire’s heart pounded.
“Does that mean Adrian could still recover?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Claire’s hope nearly broke.
Dr. Parker continued.
“I said we cannot treat the current diagnosis as unquestionable.”
They returned to the ICU.
Dr. Parker performed a fresh examination.
She checked Adrian’s reflexes.
His pupils.
His breathing.
Nothing changed.
Then Liam began crying from the doorway.
Claire carried him closer.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
Liam reached toward Adrian.
Dr. Parker watched.
“Let him hold his hand.”
Claire placed Liam’s fingers around Adrian’s.
The heart rate rose.
Dr. Parker stared at the monitor.
Then she looked at Claire.
“Has it done this every time?”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
“Since yesterday.”
Dr. Parker said nothing.
She reached for the chart.
“We’re ordering new toxicology panels.”
For the first time, someone with medical authority looked at Adrian’s condition and said the words Claire had been afraid to hope for.
“This isn’t over.”
