Chapter 7 - The ICU
Three agonizing days passed in a blur of police statements, media frenzies, and endless cups of terrible hospital coffee.
Arthur Vance remained in a deep, medically induced coma in the Intensive Care Unit, hooked up to a terrifying array of machines.
The doctors were cautiously optimistic, but the blunt force trauma to his skull had been catastrophic.
Julian refused to leave his brother's bedside, spending his nights sleeping in an uncomfortable plastic chair in the hospital room.
Elena stayed at the estate, fiercely protecting Leo from the aggressive reporters camped outside the gates.
Caroline had managed to hire the most expensive defense attorney in the state, who immediately posted her exorbitant bail.
She was currently under strict house arrest at a secondary property, but she was fighting violently for custody of Leo.
"She claims Leo is a hostile witness manipulated by you," Julian told Elena over the phone, rubbing his exhausted eyes.
"Her lawyers are trying to get the judge to dismiss his testimony because of his age and his trauma."
"They can try whatever they want, but she is never getting her hands on that boy again," Elena vowed fiercely into the receiver.
Suddenly, a massive commotion erupted in the hallway outside Arthur's ICU room.
Julian dropped the phone on the bed and stepped out into the corridor.
Caroline was marching down the hallway, flanked by two aggressive-looking men in sharp suits.
She was wearing massive sunglasses and a silk scarf, looking every bit the wealthy, untouchable elite.
"I have a legal right to see my husband," Caroline shouted at the terrified nurses blocking the double doors of the ICU.
"You cannot legally keep me away from him without a court order!"
Julian stepped directly into her path, his broad shoulders blocking the entire hallway.
"You have a lot of nerve showing your face here, Caroline," Julian snarled, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"Move aside, Julian," Caroline demanded coldly.
"I am still his legal wife, and I am the one who gets to make his medical decisions if he doesn't wake up."
The sheer, evil implications of her words hit Julian like a physical blow to the chest.
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If she got medical control over Arthur, she would undoubtedly order the doctors to pull the plug, silencing her only adult witness forever.
"You are never getting near him," Julian swore, signaling to the hospital security guards rushing down the hall.
