Chapter 9: The Doctor's Verdict
Ten minutes later, Dr. Henderson—an elderly, trusted family physician who had known Julian since childhood—stepped out of the domestic staff quarters, wiping his hands with a cloth. His face was etched with deep lines of worry and stern disapproval. He walked into the main kitchen where Julian stood waiting, while Thomas guarded the doorway to ensure Clara didn't attempt to flee the estate.
Julian hurried forward, his hands gripping the doctor's forearms. "How is she, Doctor? Is she going to be alright?"
Dr. Henderson sighed heavily, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. "It was a close call, Julian. If she had stayed out in that freezing rain for even another twenty minutes, she would have gone into full hypothermic cardiac arrest. Her heart is already weak, and the shock caused a severe drop in her blood pressure. I’ve administered a strong intravenous antibiotic and a stabilizing cardiac shot. She's resting now, thanks to the quick thinking of that young maid, Elena, who kept her warm."
Julian closed his eyes, exhaling a long, shuddering breath of pure relief. A heavy weight lifted from his chest, replaced immediately by an unyielding resolve. "Thank you, Doctor. Can she be moved? I want to take her to a private clinic tomorrow morning."
"Not tomorrow, but perhaps by the afternoon after another round of monitoring," the doctor advised, patting Julian’s shoulder firmly. "Take care of her, Julian. At her age, the body remembers trauma."
"I will," Julian promised quietly.
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As Dr. Henderson packed his medical bag and departed through the side exit escorted by Thomas, Julian turned back toward the main house. Clara was still standing in the foyer, paralyzed by the realization of her impending doom. She knew her game was up. The financial embezzlement documents combined with the doctor’s official report on elder abuse meant she was facing not only a messy divorce, but potential criminal prosecution.
Julian walked past her without a single word, heading down the service hallway toward Elena’s room. He needed to see his mother with his own eyes, to beg for her forgiveness for bringing this viper into their sanctuary, and to promise her that her remaining years would be lived in absolute peace and safety.
