Chapter 9 - THE CHILDREN WHO WAITED|
I read the three case summaries twice.
The first child had been a nine-year-old boy with complications following surgery.
The second was a toddler who had been transferred from a rural hospital.
The third was a little girl whose emergency procedure had been postponed because the regional reserve had been depleted.
All three cases had eventually received treatment.
But one child had suffered permanent complications.
I closed the folder.
“Why wasn't this reported?”
Daniel looked grim.
“The hospitals filed complaints, but the network's executive office classified the transfers as temporary exceptions.”
“Who approved the classification?”
“Grant.”
Holly leaned forward.
“This is no longer just a corporate investigation. It may involve medical negligence and interference with emergency care.”
I stared at the records.
I had spent years believing Grant was a difficult man who worked too much.
Now I was discovering that his decisions had affected families I would never meet.
“Can the affected families be contacted?”
Daniel nodded.
“The hospital compliance teams are already reaching out.”
“Make sure they know what happened.”
Holly looked at me.
“We should be careful. Their medical information is confidential.”
“Then let the hospitals contact them. But don't bury this.”
Later that afternoon, I returned to Eli's room.
He was sitting upright, eating applesauce.
“Mom, can I go home tomorrow?”
“If the doctor says you're ready.”
“Can I bring my dinosaur?”
“Of course.”
He smiled.
Then he looked toward the door.
“Is Dad coming?”
I sat beside him.
“Not today.”
Eli considered that.
“Did he get in trouble?”
I chose my words carefully.
“The doctors and the company are asking questions about some decisions he made.”
“Because he didn't come?”
“Because he made choices that hurt people.”
Eli looked at his hands.
“Did he hurt me?”
I felt my throat tighten.
“He made a decision that made things harder for the doctors. But you are safe now.”
“Will he do it again?”
I took his hand.
“I will make sure nobody gets to make decisions about your safety without proper protection.”
He nodded.
Then he asked the question I had dreaded.
“Do you still love Dad?”
I looked at my son.
“I loved him. And I will always want you to have a good father. But love doesn't mean pretending someone hasn't hurt you.”
Eli thought about that.
“Okay.”
He returned to his applesauce.
I stayed beside him until the nurse came to check his leg.
When I stepped into the corridor, Holly was waiting.
“Grant's attorney called.”
“What does he want?”
“He wants to negotiate.”
“Negotiate what?”
“Your ownership. Your silence. And his return to the company.”
I laughed without humor.
“Tell him no.”
Holly nodded.
“He also says Grant is prepared to offer you the penthouse, a generous settlement, and full payment of Eli's medical expenses.”
I looked at her.
“Eli's medical expenses are not a bargaining chip.”
“I know.”
“Tell him I want the original company records, the truth about the foundation, and an independent review of every emergency allocation.”
Holly wrote it down.
Then she hesitated.
“There is one more thing. Grant has requested a private meeting with Eli.”
May you like
I looked through the window at my son.
“Not until Eli asks for it.”
