When Doctors Gave a Timeline, His Reaction Said More Than Words

Alejandro had been missing for almost twenty-four hours.

For most people, it wouldn’t have meant anything. But Lucía knew him well: he never parted with what he considered his own. If he had disappeared, it was because he was up to something behind the scenes.

Carmen Ruiz was the first to notice the change. After a discreet adjustment to Lucía’s treatment, the test results began to improve. Her liver function tests, which had risen dangerously, were now stabilizing. It wasn’t dramatic, but it directly contradicted the previous warning: she had “no more than three days” left.

“That makes no sense,” murmured the on-call doctor, observing the screen. “If the damage were irreversible, we wouldn’t see such a reaction.”

Carmen and Lucía exchanged a glance. The plan was becoming clearer.

Alejandro returned the next day, impeccably dressed, wearing his usual refined cologne and sporting that carefully studied expression of concern that he displayed so well in public.

“How is she?” he asked at the nurses’ station.

“Stable,” replied Carmen in an even tone.

A slight clenching of his jaw betrayed him, but he immediately concealed it. Lucía noticed it when he entered her room.

“Darling…” he said softly, approaching her bed. “You look pale.”

Lucía was breathing shallowly, her eyes barely open.

“I’m tired,” she murmured.

He leaned closer.

“I spoke to the lawyer. As a precaution. In case… things… get worse.”

Lucía opened her eyes wide and observed him.

“Always prepared,” she said calmly.

For a brief moment, his composure wavered.

“I’m simply protecting what belongs to us.”

“What belongs to us?” she repeated softly.

At that moment, Carmen entered with a tray, breaking the tension. Alejandro stepped aside, but his gaze fell upon the IV pump. Carmen noticed it immediately.

“Please do not touch the equipment.”

“Relax,” he replied curtly.

Later that afternoon, Alejandro was summoned to the medical director’s office.

“Mr. Martinez,” the doctor began in a neutral tone, “we have noticed irregularities in some of the prescriptions.”

“Irregularities?”

“Medications that are not generally indicated for this diagnosis – authorized by your signature.”

Alejandro frowned. “I relied on the staff’s expertise.”

“Interestingly, since stopping these medications, the patient’s condition has improved.”

A heavy silence settled in.

“Are you implying something?” he asked coldly.

“We are examining the facts.”

As he left, he seemed to have lost all confidence.

That same evening, he entered Lucía’s room without greeting her.

“What did you tell them?” he asked in a low voice.