EvelynThe next morning, I sat beside Catherine's bed, checking her pulse periodically as she slept. Her breathing was steady, natural. The fainting episode had passed without complications, but I knew the underlying cause was far more serious than anyone realized.Footsteps in the hallway made me look up. Margaret appeared in the doorway, and the sight of her made my stomach clench with rage. The memory of her cruel words to Ava, the satisfaction on her face as she'd destroyed a five-year-old's world, flooded back. For a moment, I imagined my hands around her throat.I forced my expression into professional neutrality."How is she?" Margaret asked, approaching the bed. Her tone was cold, dismissive - clearly she hadn't forgotten our last encounter either."Stable. She should wake up soon," I responded, keeping my voice carefully neutral.Margaret moved closer to the bed, deliberately ignoring me as she studied Catherine's face. "What exactly happened? Damon said she just collapsed."
EvelynI stood frozen as Damon cradled Catherine's unconscious form. She'd been pointing at me, whispering about the resemblance between Ava and me. It was barely audible, but the recognition in her eyes had been unmistakable before she collapsed.My mind raced through my options. Catherine's behavior since arriving suddenly made complete sense - the memory lapses, the confusion, the way she'd forgotten her own research, couldn't remember making specific medical claims.Catherine had cognitive decline. And knowing her pride, she would never admit such weakness. That's why something this serious had gone unnoticed and untreated.I had two choices. I could gamble that when Catherine woke up, she wouldn't remember what triggered her collapse - which, given her condition, was highly likely. Or I could take Ava and run right now, while everyone was focused on the medical emergency.I looked at Ava, who stood pressed against the wall with wide, frightened eyes. Taking her meant explaining e
SusanI watched with satisfaction as Mother moved around my room, gathering medical supplies and setting up her equipment. She'd already thrown Dr. Graham's herbal compounds into the waste bin, muttering about "amateur remedies" under her breath.This was exactly what I'd been waiting for. Mother finally taking an active role in my treatment, which meant our plan could finally move forward."Don't worry, my dear baby," Mother said, checking my pulse with professional efficiency. "I'll have you feeling better in no time."I paused. "Mother, you keep calling me that. You never called me that before."Mother looked up, confused. "That's not true. I've always called you that when you were little."But I knew that wasn't true. Mother was never close to us as children. She was distant, focused on her work, only showing warmth toward Evelyn because they shared medical interests. I'd always been on the sidelines, watching my sister get Mother's attention and approval. When had Mother ever ref
EvelynI received the summons to Damon's office with a mixture of relief and dread. At least I had a chance to defend my position, but facing both Damon and Catherine together felt like walking into a trap.When I arrived, I found Catherine already seated across from Damon's desk, looking composed and confident. Damon gestured for me to take the other chair."Dr. Graham, Dr. Winters has some concerns about your treatment approach for Susan," Damon began diplomatically. "I'd like to hear your response before making any decisions."A small spark of hope flickered in my chest. Damon had warned me about Catherine before. The fact that he'd called me here to get my side of the story instead of just accepting Catherine's dismissal meant something. Maybe he'd give me at least a little support.Catherine leaned forward immediately. "The treatment protocol is completely inadequate. Susan needs targeted enzyme therapy, not herbal remedies that mask symptoms without addressing the underlying gen
CatherineI strode through the pack house corridors. That visiting doctor needed to be dealt with properly, and I needed to formalize my authority over Susan's medical care.I found Damon's office and didn't bother knocking. He was reviewing pack business with Cole, papers spread across his desk."We need to discuss Susan's medical situation," I announced, settling into the chair across from his desk without waiting for an invitation.Damon looked up, slightly annoyed at the interruption. "I thought you were handling that with Dr. Graham.""I've dismissed Dr. Graham. Her treatment approach is completely inadequate for Susan's condition."Cole glanced between us. "Dismissed her? Don't you think that's—""What I think," I cut him off, "is that my daughter was being treated with amateur hour herbalism when she needs proper medical intervention."Damon set down his pen. "Dr. Graham seemed competent. Susan's condition has improved since she started treatment.""Improved?" I leaned forward.
EvelynI walked through the corridor in a daze, my medical bag feeling heavier with each step. The weight of it seemed to pull at my shoulder, dragging me down.I found an empty consultation room and slipped inside, locking the door behind me. I needed a moment to process what had just happened.Catherine had dismissed my treatment as "kitchen remedies" and "completely inadequate." She'd acted like I was some amateur playing with herbs I didn't understand.But that made no sense.I set my bag down on the small table and stared at it. Every technique I'd used, every herbal compound in Susan's treatment, had come directly from Catherine's own research. My mother had been the one to teach me that these genetic conditions responded better to natural compounds than synthetic alternatives when properly calibrated."Natural compounds bond more effectively with the genetic markers," she'd explained during one of our rare mother-daughter sessions when I was studying. "Synthetic alternatives cr