Chapter 12 - THE NIGHT MY LITTLE BROTHER ALMOST DIED
Toby's surgery was moved forward.
Not because of anything Richard Vale had done that day.
Not because of the stolen money.
But because his heart could no longer safely wait.
I stood beside his hospital bed while the medical team explained the procedure.
Toby listened carefully.
Then he looked at me.
"Ellie?"
"Yeah, buddy?"
"Am I going to be okay?"
My throat tightened.
I wanted to promise him everything.
I wanted to tell him there was no danger.
But I couldn't lie.
"The doctors are going to do everything they can to help you."
He nodded.
Then he reached for my hand.
"Will you be here when I wake up?"
I squeezed his fingers.
"Every second they'll let me."
Dante stood near the window.
For the first time, Toby looked at him differently.
"Are you really my brother?"
Dante's eyes softened.
"Looks like we have some things to figure out."
Toby grinned weakly.
"You're pretty old to be my brother."
Dante laughed.
"Thanks."
"Can you teach me how to drive your car?"
"When you're sixteen."
"Fifteen?"
"No."
"Fifteen and a half?"
I laughed through tears.
Dante shook his head.
"You're a tough negotiator."
Toby smiled.
Then his expression grew serious.
"If something happens to me, take care of Ellie."
My heart shattered.
"Toby, don't."
He looked at Dante.
"Promise."
Dante stepped closer.
"I promise I'll be there for both of you."
Toby nodded.
"Okay."
An hour later, the nurses prepared him for surgery.
I kissed his forehead.
Mom stood beside me, crying quietly.
Then they wheeled him away.
The doors closed.
And the waiting began.
One hour.
Two.
Three.
I paced the hallway until my feet hurt.
Dante brought me water.
I couldn't drink it.
Mom held my hand.
I barely felt it.
Every time the operating room doors opened, I stood.
Every time someone walked past, my heart stopped.
Finally, after several hours, Dr. Harper approached us.
I couldn't read her expression.
"Elena?"
I stepped forward.
"Is he okay?"
She smiled.
"The surgery went well."
My knees nearly gave out.
Mom began crying.
Dante caught my arm as I stumbled.
"He's okay?"
Dr. Harper nodded.
"He's stable. We'll monitor him closely during recovery, but the repair was successful."
I covered my mouth.
Then I began sobbing.
Dante wrapped his arms around me.
For the first time since meeting him, I let myself lean against someone.
Not because I was weak.
Because I was finally allowed to stop carrying everything alone.
That evening, Toby opened his eyes.
"Ellie?"
I rushed to his bedside.
"Hey, superhero."
He smiled faintly.
"Did I win?"
I laughed through tears.
"Yeah, buddy. You won."
Then he looked past me.
"Dante?"
Dante stepped closer.
"Right here."
Toby raised one trembling hand.
"Can I still drive your car when I'm sixteen?"
Dante laughed.
"We'll discuss it."
I smiled.
For one perfect moment, everything felt right.
Then Detective Mitchell arrived at the hospital.
Her expression was serious.
"Elena, we arrested Gregory Hale."
I stood.
"And?"
She looked toward Dante.
"Gregory is cooperating. He's identified Richard Vale as the organizer of the medical fund fraud."
I nodded.
Then she continued.
"He also told us where Adrian Vance has been living."
My heart began racing.
"Where?"
Detective Mitchell took a breath.
"Elena, your father has been trying to return to New York for months."
I stared at her.
"Then why hasn't he?"
May you like
She looked at Mom.
"Because he believed Catherine and Toby had both been killed."
