Chapter 3 - The Diagnosis
Hours bled into the night before the double doors swung open.
A surgeon in blue scrubs, mask pulled down around his neck, walked out looking exhausted.
“Family of Leo Vance?”
Claire and Dad practically collided as they rushed forward.
“Is he alive?” Claire gasped, clutching her purse to her chest.
“He’s stabilized, but he is in critical condition,” the doctor said, his expression grim.
“Leo suffered a severe myocardial infarction—a massive heart attack.
But that’s not the whole story.
While running his bloodwork, we found dangerously high levels of an unprescribed stimulant in his system, interacting violently with an underlying, previously undiagnosed congenital heart defect.”
Dad blinked, confusion warring with the terror on his face.
“Stimulants?
Leo doesn’t do drugs.
He’s a straight-A student.”
The doctor’s eyes narrowed.
“The tox screen indicates a heavy dosage of prescription weight-loss amphetamines.
Combined with heavy physical exertion, it triggered a catastrophic cardiovascular event.”
Maya gasped from the chairs.
Everyone turned.
Maya was staring directly at Aunt Susan, whose face had suddenly drained of all color.
May you like
“Susan,” Claire said, her voice dangerously calm.
“What did you give him in his coffee this morning?”
