Chapter 5 - The Five-Day Prognosis Changes
Day three arrived.
Arthur was still alive.
More importantly, he was stronger.
Not dramatically.
His breathing improved.
Heart rhythm stabilized.
Some laboratory abnormalities began correcting after hospital staff eliminated all outside supplements and strictly controlled medication.
Dr. Reed entered with two specialists.
Arthur knew something had changed before they spoke.
“Your heart is damaged,” Reed said.
“But the decline was being amplified.”
Arthur waited.
“By what?”
“We cannot responsibly state the cause yet.”
“Could external substances be involved?”
“Yes.”
Vanessa’s confession echoed.
I’ve been making you weaker for months.
Arthur closed his eyes.
“How long do I have?”
Dr. Reed smiled slightly.
“I’m withdrawing the five-day estimate.”
Arthur opened his eyes.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I don’t know.”
“Days?”
“Possibly much longer.”
“Weeks?”
“Possibly.”
“Months?”
“Possible.”
“Recovery?”
“Some degree may be possible.”
Arthur laughed.
It hurt.
He laughed anyway.
Caleb grinned from the doorway.
Then Arthur became serious.
“Vanessa cannot know yet.”
Dr. Reed frowned.
“Again, I will not deceive your spouse.”
“Don’t.”
Arthur answered.
“She no longer has medical authorization.”
Margaret had already filed the revocation.
Arthur’s health information now belonged to Arthur.
Vanessa could ask.
Doctors could decline.
That was enough.
When Vanessa arrived that afternoon, she immediately noticed Arthur sitting slightly higher.
“You look different.”
“I slept.”
She forced a smile.
“That’s wonderful.”
Arthur watched disappointment flash before she hid it.
Then she reached for his hand.
“Did the doctor say anything?”
“Not much.”
“What exactly?”
“He said we wait.”
Vanessa’s thumb stopped moving.
“How long?”
Arthur looked at her.
“I don’t know.”
Her face remained calm.
But Arthur finally understood micro-expressions too.
A tightening jaw.
A slower blink.
One breath held too long.
She was scared.
Not of losing him.
Of keeping him.
That evening, Julian visited.
First time since Arthur’s hospitalization.
He brought expensive flowers.
Arthur almost admired the nerve.
“My friend.”
Julian stood beside the bed.
“You gave us quite a scare.”
Arthur smiled weakly.
“So I hear.”
Vanessa stood behind Julian.
They never touched.
Never looked at each other too long.
Professional.
Perfect.
Arthur understood now that perfection often required rehearsal.
Julian spoke about business.
A debt refinance.
Market volatility.
Board concerns.
Then:
“We should probably formalize emergency voting authority.”
Arthur looked at him.
“Who gets it?”
Julian smiled.
“Vanessa.”
“Obviously.”
Arthur let silence linger.
Then said:
“Bring me the papers tomorrow.”
Julian relaxed.
Vanessa almost smiled.
After they left, Arthur looked at Margaret.
“They think I’m going to sign.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“What are you planning?”
“Nothing.”
Margaret raised an eyebrow.
May you like
Arthur smiled.
“I’m just going to read.”
