She blinked, uncertain if he was serious. But the look in his eyes made it clear — it was a joke. A test.
She hesitated. Then smiled softly and said, “Sure. Why not?”
Victor Langston lay pale and sweating in his suite. Electrodes on his chest beeped in unpredictable rhythm. His wife, Elaine, sat nearby, face drawn in worry. Several doctors stood near the monitors, whispering theories.
Dr. Bell cleared his throat. “This is Maria. She’s been with the hospital for years. We thought we’d let her take a swing.”
Dr. Shaw, the lead cardiologist, looked annoyed. “This is a joke, right?”
Maria stepped into the room, quiet and composed. She didn’t look at the machines. Instead, she looked at the patient.
“May I?” she asked softly, gesturing to Victor.
Dr. Shaw rolled his eyes but nodded.
