When vengeance finds love

"Doctor Montes, your grandmother has been brought into the emergency department."

Aria looked up from the file in her hand.

"What happened?"

"She collapsed at home. They brought her in a few minutes ago."

Aria dropped the file on her desk and hurried out.

Her grandmother, Doña Elena Montes, had complained of feeling tired the previous evening, but she had refused to see a doctor. She had even laughed when Aria threatened to bring her to the hospital herself.

"I'm an old woman, not a child," Elena had said over the phone. "Besides, who will cook for you if I spend the whole day in a hospital?"

Aria had laughed with her.

Now she could barely breathe as she rushed toward the emergency department.

She found Elena lying on a bed with an oxygen mask covering her face. An intravenous line ran into her arm, and a monitor stood beside her.

"Abuela?"

Aria took her hand.

"It's me. I'm here."

Her grandmother did not respond.

Aria turned to the nurse beside the bed.

"What happened to her?"

"She complained of chest pain and difficulty breathing. A neighbour called an ambulance."

"Has the doctor examined her?"

"Yes. I'll get him."

The nurse hurried away.

Aria pulled a chair closer and sat beside Elena.

"You should have called me," she whispered. "You know I would have come."

Elena had raised her since she was eight years old, after a car accident killed her parents. She had given Aria a home when other relatives argued about who should take responsibility for her. Even when money was scarce, Elena always found a way to provide food, school supplies, and encouragement.

She had also taught Aria why she should become a doctor.

"Every patient belongs to someone," she always said. "Never forget that."

Aria looked at the oxygen mask covering her grandmother's face.

Now she was the one waiting for someone to save a person she loved.

"Abuela, please wake up."

"Doctor Montes."

Aria turned.

Dr. Ricardo Salvatierra, the hospital dean, stood beside the bed with two administrators.

"What is happening to my grandmother?" Aria asked.

"We are assessing her condition."

"I want to speak to the doctor treating her."

"Of course. But we have another urgent situation."

Aria frowned.

"My grandmother is unconscious, and you want to discuss something else?"

"Mr. Octavio Villarreal has been admitted. His condition is critical, and we need you to lead his surgery."

Aria stared at him.

"Find another surgeon."

"Doctor Montes, he has internal bleeding. The team believes he needs immediate surgery."

"So do something about it. I am staying here."

"Your grandmother is being monitored. We have been assured that she is stable enough for us to proceed."

Aria looked at the monitor, then back at Salvatierra.

"Have you seen her results?"

"I have been informed that she is receiving care."

"That is not what I asked."

One of the administrators stepped forward.

"Mr. Villarreal is an important sponsor of this hospital. His family is already asking questions. We cannot afford delays."

Aria could hardly believe what she was hearing.

An important sponsor.

That was how they described a man whose life was in danger.

She looked at her grandmother.

"What happens if her condition changes while I am away?"

"We will call you immediately," Salvatierra promised.

Aria hesitated.

She wanted to refuse, but another patient was waiting for her. She could not knowingly turn away from someone who needed urgent surgery.

She bent down and kissed Elena's forehead.

"Abuela, I have to help someone. I'll come back as soon as I finish."

She waited for a response, but her grandmother remained still.

"I'll bring your sweet bread, too. You can complain if I buy the wrong kind."

Aria stood and followed the hospital team.

She did not know that another doctor had already requested an urgent review of Elena's condition.

She did not know that the request would be delayed.

And she did not know that leaving her grandmother's side would become the decision she would regret for the rest of her life.

The operating theatre was cold and bright.

Mr. Villarreal lay unconscious beneath the surgical drapes. Aria reviewed his results and listened to the anaesthetist's report.

"His blood pressure is unstable," he said.

"Let's begin."

For the next several hours, Aria concentrated on the operation. When the patient's condition worsened, she gave clear instructions and worked carefully to control the bleeding.

Finally, his condition began to improve.

"Transfer him to recovery," she ordered. "I want an update if anything changes."

She removed her gloves and checked the time.

Her stomach tightened.

She had been away for hours.

She reached for her phone.

There were no missed calls.

Aria called the emergency department, but nobody answered.

She tried again.

Still nothing.

She quickly changed and hurried into the corridor.

When she reached the nurses' station, she stopped a passing nurse.

"Have you heard anything about my grandmother?"

The nurse hesitated.

"Her condition changed, Doctor."

Aria felt her heart sink.

"When?"

"About an hour ago."

"Why wasn't I called?"

The nurse looked away.

"I thought someone had contacted you."

Aria did not wait for another explanation.

She ran toward her grandmother's room.

The moment she reached the doorway, she heard the monitor sounding an alarm.

And she knew something was terribly wrong.