Chapter 17 - Adrian Faces the Reality of His Failing Heart
That evening, after Lily had fallen asleep in her grand new bedroom upstairs, Adrian sat alone in his private study.
The room was quiet except for the crackling fire in the stone hearth and the soft ticking of a grandfather clock.
He pulled open his desk drawer, retrieving a small plastic case filled with emergency heart medications and rhythm regulators.
The door clicked open softly, and Dr. Elena Maren stepped into the room, holding a portable cardiac telemetry monitor.
“You missed your afternoon check-in, Mr. Moretti,” Dr. Maren scolded gently, walking over to check his pulse point.
“I had a family to settle in, Doctor,” Adrian replied tiredly, rolling up his left sleeve for the sensor pads.
She attached the leads, staring at the green digital readout on her handheld device with a furrowed brow.
“Your ventricular activity is stabilizing, but the scarring from the cardiomyopathy is permanent, Adrian,” she warned seriously.
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“I know how much time I have left, Elena. Just make sure it’s enough to watch my daughter grow up,” he said quietly.
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