Chapter 4 - The Price of a Lie
Ethan stared down at the cell phone resting on the polished linoleum floor.
The voice on the speaker demanded a response, repeating the question about a massive financial wire transfer.
Julian violently shoved Ethan away and scrambled to pick up the device, quickly ending the call.
His usually calm and collected demeanor was suddenly replaced by frantic, nervous energy.
Ethan stepped forward, his mind racing to connect the terrifying dots in front of him.
He held up the printed medical scans, pushing them directly into Julian's chest.
He aggressively accused the oncologist of deliberately misdiagnosing a benign tumor as a fatal cancer.
Julian laughed nervously, attempting to dismiss Ethan as a hysterical, grieving ex-husband.
He claimed the voice on the phone was simply a pharmaceutical vendor discussing clinical trial funding.
Ethan did not believe a single word escaping the liar's mouth.
He realized that Julian had convinced Claire she was dying in order to enroll her in a highly lucrative, experimental drug trial.
Claire had spent the last eight months suffering through toxic treatments she never actually needed.
Ethan’s blood boiled with a murderous rage he had never experienced in his entire life.
He grabbed Julian again, this time pressing his forearm heavily against the doctor's throat.
He promised to destroy Julian's career, his freedom, and his life if he did not confess the truth immediately.
Before Julian could speak, the heart monitor inside Claire's room began a high-pitched, continuous scream.
Ethan released Julian instantly, throwing the door open and rushing to Claire's bedside.
Her heart had completely stopped beating, overwhelmed by the sheer pressure of the growing mass.
Nurses flooded into the room, bringing a crash cart and shouting frantic medical codes.
Margaret, the hospital administrator, arrived seconds later and screamed for everyone to stop.
She aggressively reminded the medical staff of the legal Do Not Resuscitate order.
The nurses hesitated, stepping away from the bed as the monitor continued its deadly flatline.
Ethan looked at the woman he loved, her face pale and lifeless against the white pillows.
He absolutely refused to let her die because of a forged medical lie.
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He jumped onto the bed, locking his hands together, and began brutal, rhythmic chest compressions.
Margaret screamed for security, but the guards were frozen in shock at the violent determination in Ethan's eyes.
