“David,” I said.
“No, Mom! Who is this guy? Some rich stranger shows up the day of your surgery and suddenly you have a lawyer and a new power of attorney and…”
“He owns this hospital,” Sarah said quietly.
Everyone turned to look at her.
She was standing by the window with her arms wrapped around herself. Her face had gone white. She was looking at Malcolm.
“Dr. Malcolm Chen,” she said. “Chen Health. I saw his picture on the wall in the lobby on the way in. He owns this hospital. And three others.”
David stopped.
“Why would the owner of a hospital want Mom’s little house?” Sarah said. Her voice was shaking. “Come on, David. Think about it for one second.”
David opened his mouth. He didn’t have anything to say.
Sarah looked at me. Her eyes were filling with tears.
“I didn’t want to do it, Mom,” she said. “I swear to God. I told David I didn’t want to.”
