“Dr. Lowe, please wait! The former hospital director's daughter insists on meeting you, no matter what!”

Jason stepped directly in front of my car, looking as though he was prepared to throw himself in front of it if necessary.

“Vanessa Hart?”

“You know her?”

Of course I did.

She was Ethan's wife and Simon’s only daughter.

Twenty years ago, she was still a student, yet she had already walked around the hospital as if she owned the place because of her father's status.

“No. I've just heard the name.”

Jason let out a sigh.

“The patient's son, Ethan Lancaster, is Vanessa Hart's husband. He's also one of the leading neurosurgeons in Kingsford... one of the senior neurosurgeons in our department.”

He carefully chose his words, speaking to me with obvious caution.

“Dr. Lowe, I'm sure you have your reasons. But if this situation blows up, it won't be good for either of us. How about staying a little longer and at least meeting with the family before making a final decision?”

“There's nothing left to discuss.”

“Dr. Lowe!”

Jason was getting desperate. He hurried to my window.

“Dr. Lowe, hear me out. Vanessa and Dr. Lancaster come from a very influential family. Whatever concerns you have, whatever conditions you want to set, I'm sure they'll do everything they can to accommodate them.

“But if I let you leave without a word today, both of us are going to end up with a lot of trouble.

“Do me a favor. Just meet with the Harts and Dr. Lancaster, even if it's only once.”

"Dr. Stevens, if I decline the case, you can escalate the referral and have another specialist assigned. Wouldn't that be faster?"

He gave a bitter smile.

"You're the surgeon everyone recommended. If you refuse the case, the surgeons after you will think twice before accepting it."

I was about to reassure him when my phone rang.

“Hello, is this Suzy Lowe?”

It was a woman's voice I didn't recognize, but I knew exactly who it was without needing an introduction.

“I'm the patient's daughter-in-law, Vanessa Hart. I heard you've declined my father-in-law's surgery. I'd like to meet with you in person and talk about it. Would tomorrow morning work for you?”

I did my best to suppress the emotions rising inside me.

When I didn't respond immediately, she continued.

“I don't know what's on your mind, but taking one look at the case and leaving without any explanation doesn't seem very professional. Why don't we meet?”

“I'll be submitting a written explanation promptly.”

“Wouldn't meeting face-to-face be faster than filing paperwork? Or is there something you don't want to discuss in person?”

Vanessa's tone began to sharpen with a hint of irritation. She clearly thought I was putting on airs.

“Fine. Then I'll come to the hospital again tomorrow.”

My voice returned to its usual calm.

Maybe it was finally time to settle some old accounts.

“Alright. My husband, Dr. Lancaster, and I will come together tomorrow.”

“No problem.”

When Jason heard me agree, he finally let out a sigh of relief.

“Dr. Lowe, then I'll see you tomorrow!”

He gave a slight bow before turning and walking away.

I sat back down and glanced at Ian.

“Cancel the ticket.”

I wasn't leaving anymore.

The next morning, I arrived at the conference room early and waited.

Not long after, a woman swept into the room in a long coat, moving with the same brisk energy I remembered.

A man followed behind her.

He still carried himself with the same calm, steady demeanor.

Even after twenty years, I recognized him instantly.

I imagined this reunion countless times, yet the urge to walk over and settle the score once and for all still surged through me.

“Are you Dr. Lowe?”

The woman scanned the room before her gaze landed on me.

Jason quickly stood up.

“Vanessa, this is Dr. Lowe. Dr. Lowe, this is…”

“You’re Dr. Lowe?”

Vanessa cut him off and strode straight toward me.

She didn't recognize me.

The girl who wept herself unconscious outside the hospital morgue twenty years ago bore little resemblance to the renowned neurosurgeon standing before them now.

“Dr. Lowe, what exactly is this about? You agreed to take the case and now you're backing out? Three days ago, we confirmed everything with your team.

“The equipment has been prepared, the care plan is in place, and now you're walking away?”

“Miss Hart, I've already told Dr. Stevens that I'll be submitting a formal explanation.”

“A formal explanation?”

She let out a short laugh.

“You've handled cases far more difficult than this without blinking. And now you're telling me this is the one you can't handle?”

Ethan sensed where the conversation was headed and stepped in at once.

“Dr. Lowe, I'm Ethan Lancaster, the patient's son. I understand that you may have your reasons, but my father's condition is extremely urgent. If this is about compensation…”

“It's not about money.”

“Then what is it?”

Vanessa dropped her handbag onto the table with a sharp thud.

“What, is this hospital beneath someone of your stature?”

Jason hurried over.

“Vanessa, let's all calm down. Maybe Dr. Lowe really has…”

“Really has what? She's one of the top neurosurgeons in the country, and she's turning her back on a patient whose life is hanging by a thread.”

She turned and fixed me with a hard stare.

“Let me tell you something, Suzy Lowe. My father may be retired, but he still has plenty of influence in Kingsford. One phone call and I can make you...”

“Vanessa.”

Ethan caught her arm and lowered his voice.

“Calm down.”

Then he turned to me and offered an apologetic smile.

That smile was familiar.

Twenty years ago, outside the morgue, he had worn the same expression when he comforted me.

“Suzy, you have to stay strong.”

Then he turned around and got engaged to Vanessa.

Around the same time, my appeal was quietly rejected.

“Dr. Lowe, I don't know the real reason you've declined the case. But as a fellow physician, I'd like to believe you're someone who takes your responsibilities seriously. My father...”

I couldn't listen to another word.

So, I cut him off.

“Dr. Lancaster, my decision won't change because of anyone's persuasion.”

Vanessa's face darkened completely.

“Fine. You're impressive. You're the expert, after all.”

She let out a cold laugh.

“Fine. Then let me tell you this. There'll be a formal review tomorrow, and I hope you'll be just as confident when you're asked to explain yourself.”

She grabbed her bag and turned toward the door.

“I've always despised people who let a little success go to their heads. Doctors are supposed to save lives. It's not your place to pick and choose which patients are worth treating.”

The sharp click of her heels echoed across the floor, growing fainter with every step.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Dr. Lowe, I'm sorry. My wife can be a little hot-headed. Please give it some more thought. You have my number if you'd like to talk.”

Jason hardly dared to breathe.

Only after Ethan left did he cautiously speak up.

“Dr. Lowe, was all of this really necessary? Even if there's a problem, surely it could be worked out through discussion...”

“Dr. Stevens, I do have my reasons. There's no way I can perform this surgery.”

“Well... alright.”

He sighed heavily.

“Just be prepared for tomorrow. I don't think Vanessa is going to let this go.”

I nodded and motioned for Ian to get ready to leave.

Whether Vanessa would let this go or not, I didn't know.

What I did know was that tomorrow, I had no intention of backing down either.

“Dr. Lowe, what's your reason for refusing this surgery?”

The man speaking was Robert Greene, Deputy Director of the Kingsford Health Authority.

The next morning, the case review meeting convened.

In attendance were not only the department heads from the hospital, but also two representatives from the Kingsford Health Authority.

“I can't guarantee that I'll be in the proper state of mind during the operation.”

“What exactly does that mean?”

Robert flipped through the documents in front of him.

“Dr. Lowe, I've reviewed your record. Over the past three years, you've performed forty-seven high-risk surgeries as lead surgeon with a perfect success rate. How can you suddenly lack confidence in this case?”

“Because this one is different.”

“Why?”

I didn't answer immediately.

The other representative spoke up.

“Dr. Lowe, we respect every physician's professional judgment. However, this case is unusual. The patient's surgical window is extremely short. If you refuse the case, his chances of survival become almost nonexistent.”

“My refusal doesn't mean there aren't other options. You can contact another surgical team.”

Robert cleared his throat.

“We already have. You're the only specialist with both the expertise and the availability to take the case.”

“I can't do it.”

“Can't do it and won't do it are two very different things, Dr. Lowe.”

The door opened.

Vanessa walked in, followed by Ethan and an elderly man leaning on a cane.

The man looked to be in his seventies. His complexion was sallow, but his back remained remarkably straight.

“Dr. Hart? What are you doing here?”

Jason rose to his feet at once.

Simon had once been his boss.

“An old friend is fighting for his life. I couldn't just stay away.”

Simon slowly made his way to the table and sat down.

His gaze settled on me.

“Dr. Lowe.”

He cleared his throat softly.

“I'm Simon Hart. I spent forty years in this hospital. Ethan's father and I worked side by side for most of that time. He's my colleague and my friend. His condition can't wait.”

“Mr. Hart, I understand how you feel, but—”

“Please. Let me finish.”

He raised a hand, stopping me.

“I know you're one of Wellington’s leading specialists. I know your time is valuable and your skills are exceptional. But in this profession, technical ability isn't the only thing that matters.”

He fixed me with a steady gaze.

His eyes were clouded with age, yet still sharp enough to cut through steel.

“A doctor's conscience matters just as much.”

Vanessa stood behind her father, her expression still cold and proud.

Ethan sat beside him, his face marked by grief and sincerity.

“The reason I'm refusing this surgery is precisely because of my conscience.”

“How so?”

“Brainstem surgery demands an extraordinary level of mental focus from the lead surgeon. Any emotional distraction can result in a catastrophic mistake. I've assessed my own state of mind, and I know I can't remain completely detached.”

“Are you saying you have some personal issue with my father?”

Ethan frowned, genuine surprise in his voice.

“Dr. Lowe, as far as I know, we've never met before.”

I looked at him.

He looked back at me openly, without the slightest trace of guilt or recognition.

We had never met, at least, not in any way he remembered.

But I remembered him for twenty years.

“Whether we've met before isn't the point.”

I took a slow sip of tea.

“The point is that once I'm in that operating room, I can't guarantee absolute focus. That alone is reason enough for me to step aside.”

Robert tapped his fingers impatiently against the table.

“Dr. Lowe, let's stop dancing around the issue. There's no policy that allows a surgeon to refuse a case without a valid reason. If you can't provide a legitimate conflict or medical justification, this starts looking like professional misconduct.”

“Mr. Greene, under the Medical Practice Act…”

“Don't quote regulations at me.”

He tossed his pen onto the table.

“Let me be blunt. By tomorrow, every major medical publication in Kingsford will be covering this story.

“One of Wellington’s leading neurosurgeons flies across the country to take a case, reviews the chart, and walks away. Do you really think that's going to look good?”

I said nothing.

Vanessa stepped forward.

“Dr. Lowe, maybe I was too harsh yesterday, and for that, I apologize. But think about this. Once word gets out, people will say you abandoned a dying patient. How are you going to live that down?”

Ethan rose from his seat and bowed his head slightly.

“Dr. Lowe, if my father or I have done anything to make you uncomfortable, then I apologize. I understand your concerns.

“If compensation is an issue, we'll double it. And if there's anything I can personally do to ease your concerns…”

“Dr. Lancaster.”

I cut him off.

“Can you answer a question for me?”

He paused for a moment, then nodded.

“Of course.”

“How many surgeries has your father performed over the course of his career?”

“Thousands. He helped build the neurosurgery program in Kingsford from the ground up.”

Ethan straightened slightly as he spoke, pride evident in his voice.

“Out of those thousands of surgeries, how many ended badly?”

The atmosphere in the room instantly froze.

Ethan didn't look away, but he hesitated for a fraction of a second.

“Every surgery carries risks. No surgeon has a perfect record.”

“And what happened to the families of the patients who didn't make it?”

“Dr. Lowe, that has nothing to do with what's being discussed here.”

“Doesn't it?”

I stood up and picked up my bag.

“Then my refusal has nothing to do with what's being discussed here either. Excuse me.”

Vanessa's voice rang out sharply behind me.

“Go ahead. Walk out. But don't expect to come back. I'll make sure everyone in this profession knows exactly who you are. They'll know that Dr. Suzy Lowe from Wellington abandoned a dying patient!”

I pushed open the door.

Ian couldn't help leaning closer as we walked out.

“Dr. Lowe, maybe it's time you told me the truth. Why won't you do this surgery?”

I turned to look at him.

Three years ago, after finishing graduate school, he sent out more than a hundred applications and couldn't get a single offer.

I was the one who brought him onto my team.

He trusted me, and he knew me better than almost anyone.

But I'd never told him this story.

“Ian.”

“Yes?”

“Twenty years ago, there was a preventable surgical error in the neurosurgery department at this hospital. The patient was named Linda Lowe.”

His expression slowly changed.

“Linda Lowe... was she your...?”

“My mother.”

He froze, unable to find the words.

“The lead surgeon was Victor Lancaster.”

I looked toward the hospital behind us.

“He's the man lying in that hospital bed waiting for me to save his life.”

Ian stood there in stunned silence.

After a long moment, I spoke again.

“Help me prepare a formal recusal request. Tomorrow, I'll explain everything to the review panel myself.”

When we reached the front entrance, Ian called out softly behind me.

“Dr. Lowe, do you really think your hands would shake?”

I clenched and unclenched my fist.

Then I let out a quiet sigh.

“As long as he's the one lying on that table, I can't guarantee a steady hand.”