Chapter 3 - The Flatline
Caleb felt his grip on Julian's wrists slowly loosen.
The threat against Mia was the one thing that could completely break him.
Julian pushed Caleb off him and casually dusted off his dark scrubs.
"That's a smart boy," Julian said, reaching under the bed to retrieve the fallen syringe.
Caleb stood in the corner, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
He wanted to scream for help, but the image of his sister being thrown out of her hospital bed paralyzed him.
Julian stepped up to the unconscious millionaire and tapped the syringe.
"Goodbye, Arthur," Julian whispered, inserting the needle into the IV port.
Before Julian could push the plunger, Arthur's eyes snapped open.
Arthur stared directly at Julian with a look of absolute clarity and profound hatred.
Suddenly, the cardiac monitor beside the bed let out a piercing, continuous alarm.
Arthur's body arched off the mattress as his damaged heart finally gave out under the immense strain.
Julian cursed, quickly pulling the unused syringe out and stuffing it into his pocket.
The heavy sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway as the emergency medical team rushed toward the room.
"Remember our deal," Julian hissed at Caleb before slipping out the secondary door just as the nurses arrived.
The medical team swarmed the bed, shouting orders and charging the defibrillator paddles.
Caleb stood frozen against the wall, watching the chaotic attempt to save the man who had just given him the world.
"Clear!" the lead doctor shouted, sending a shock through Arthur's chest.
The monitor remained a flat, unbroken line.
After twenty agonizing minutes, the doctor slowly removed his gloves and checked his watch.
"Time of death, eleven fourteen PM," he announced softly.
Caleb felt a tear slip down his cheek, mourning a man he had only known for a few short days.
As the nurses began to clean the room, the lead doctor walked over to Caleb.
Instead of offering condolences, the doctor discreetly slipped a small, folded piece of paper into Caleb's scrub pocket.
May you like
The doctor looked around to ensure no one was watching, then gave Caleb a slow, deliberate wink.
"Take this to Marcus Sterling immediately," the doctor whispered before walking away.
