Page 11 of Broken Bonds

Ethan and Alexandra have no idea how much it means to me that they’re standing by my side at a time like this, although Ethan made it clear his primary interest is in taking care of Lionel’s safety. In this shitty situation, teaming up with a friend like him is a true godsend.

Alexandra took care of my little suitcase and brought me some dinner. I gave it a few bites, more for her sake than mine. I don’t want to be rude to someone who has shown me nothing but kindness even though we just met, and in such a confusing situation. She has offered me a shoulder to lean on and thanks to her I don’t feel so alone. In the midst of all this, I feel like a fish out of the water.

“You know? A few years ago, before we got married, Ethan was wounded on duty and ended up in a hospital in Germany. I almost went crazy waiting for him to wake up. I don’t even want to imagine how you must be feeling between the anguish and despair of knowing Lionel isn’t the man you thought he was.”

I understand her solidarity and I appreciate it very much. However, you can’t hide the sun with one hand. They aren’t my friends, they are part of Lionel’s team. Right now, I have no idea what that means.

“Mr. Kral’s doctor will be here in a few minutes,” the nurse informs us, cutting my thoughts.

We are still in a private waiting room in this fancy hospital.

I’ve heard many times there are things that money can’t buy.

You can buy care, but not health.

Everything here is top-notch, but the coffee still tasting bitter.

There isn’t a single plastic chair around, and yet they can’t give us comfort.

And as diligent nurses roam the halls ready to take care of Lionel, none of them can assure us that he will get better.

And no matter how hard I try, I can’t find peace. It’s like being in a windowless room from where I can’t find my way out. I still have a thousand questions in my mind and the uncertainty isn’t helping.

The only good news that brings some light in this darkness is that Lionel is still here with us, and while I don’t know much about his condition, just the fact he hasn’t given up, gives me hope.

I feel like a truck ran me over, I don’t even want to think about how I look. I’m clad in the same clothes I’d been wearing before I left for the airport yesterday. I have puffy eyes, and I haven’t combed my hair in what seems like days.

And the wait continues, the clock says it hasn’t been more than fifteen minutes since the nurse came to make her announcement, but by the time the door opens again, I feel like hours have passed.

Endless hours.

And I don’t have a single tear left. When my father died, my mother said that like the stars, they were infinite.

Something must have changed since then, or maybe our love wasn’t as strong. Perhaps what has happened in the last few hours is a clear sign of that.

“Mrs. Kral,” calls out a man walking toward us in blue scrubs and a pristine white coat.

“That’s me,” says Johanna, rising from her chair.

But before she can beat me, I’m already in front of the doctor, extending my hand to introduce myself.

Last night she refused to go home, and she was drinking coffee until she couldn’t handle it anymore and fell asleep.

What she didn’t count on was that the time zones were in my favor, by the time she woke up a couple of hours later, I already had double my normal dose of caffeine, and already pestered the nurses for information.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Stella Kral, Lionel’s wife.”

The doctor raises his eyebrows. He opens his mouth to talk, but he stops himself.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Dr. Wong. Mr. Kral is stable, breathing on his own. Although his blood pressure has been fluctuating, we’re optimistic,” he begins. “As I was saying yesterday to Mrs. Kral—Mr. Kral’s mother—the first hours are critical. In medicine, nothing can be taken for granted, but we’re hopeful he will recover.”

Those words are like a weight has been lifted and relief flows through my veins.

He’s going to be just fine.

“Today we will keep him sedated, his body needs time to rest. We are also giving him IV medication to avoid any infections, which is one of the leading post-op risks. If everything continues according to plan, tomorrow we will reduce the sedatives. This morning they did a CT scan. The reports show no bleeding, just a slight swelling on the right side of his head.”

God, I thought he was just shot. Whoever attacked him was determined to end his life. I need to talk with Ethan again, there is so much I don’t know.

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