PART 2
Two days later, Elias placed a smartphone right in front of Calvin on the tray table. Appearing live on the screen was Dr. Laura Minard, a renowned hepatobiliary surgeon joining from a specialized hospital in Nashville.
“The physical lesion is definitely present,” Dr. Minard clarified. “However, writing off a patient based solely on an initial scan is completely irresponsible. Judging by the elevated infection markers, this appears to be a massive internal abscess. It requires an urgent drainage procedure, a proper culture, and a thorough biopsy.”
Amber protested fiercely against the proposal for hours. She repeatedly claimed that the invasive procedure would only prolong the suffering of a terminally ill man. Dr. Gable, growing increasingly uncomfortable with her strange insistence, ultimately initiated the medical protocol without requesting her personal permission.
The detailed laboratory results arrived precisely forty-eight hours later.
“There are absolutely no malignant cells in these samples,” the doctor reported cheerfully. “It is a severe infection, but it is completely treatable with proper medication. He is going to live a full life.”
Calvin experienced immense relief, followed quickly by a heavy wave of deep sadness. Physical death had receded, yet his home life was entirely shattered.
Elias immediately wanted to confront the women with the truth, but Paula advised against it.
“If they learn that he will survive, they will cry fake tears, change their story, and claim it was all driven by emotional panic,” Paula warned. “We must allow them to keep acting out their true intentions.”
