Page 15 of Wistful Whispers

Connor hands Teagan to Ronni when Ma goes into the kitchen to fuss over dessert. He leans toward me. “So, Joe Finney can’t represent you?”

Instantaneously, the magic of tonight dissipates. I drag a hand through my hair. “No.”

“Because?” He frowns.

I press my lips together. “He claims there’s a conflict. Which means they’re representing Miranda Black’s family.”

“Christ, Seamus,” Connor swears under his breath, setting his glass down a little too hard.

“Yeah.” I stretch my neck and roll my shoulders back. “I’m trying not to freak out.”

Connor watches me closely.

“I mean, Bryce hasn’t said anything about a lawsuit.” I clasp and unclasp my fingers. “Not one word. If Finney Cooper won’t take me on because of a conflict—” I swallow, the realization thick in my throat. “He’s fucked. It’s only a matter of time.”

I don’t have to tell my brother what malpractice means.

I’m barely hanging on by a thread about what happened—about Miranda, about her family, about the fact no matter how many times I replay the surgery in my head, I can’t change the outcome. Now, on top of everything else, I have to wonder if my career is about to be blown apart before it even properly begins.

Connor rubs his beard. “Alright. First thing you do is find another lawyer. Someone good. I’ll help.”

I nod with a distance, my mind is already running through worst-case scenarios.

“Are you good, then?” he prompts.

I don’t answer.

Because I don’t know.

By the time I step outside an hour later, cool night air washes over me. I stare up at the dark sky, letting the sounds of my family still echo in my mind.

Cillian’s falling apart. Brennan’s burning out. Da hasn’t forgiven himself in decades.

As for me? I’m not sure who I am without my white coat.

If I fail here—if I’m not who I thought—I lose more than a title.

I lose the only future I’ve ever let myself dream of.

five

Marcella

One Month Later

There’sacertainstillnessbefore battle.

My office hums with it—pages turning, keyboards tapping, tension sharp enough to slice through glass.

We’re preparing to depose Dr. Bryce Caldwell.

He’s not a typical opponent.

I’ve deposed some of the best. He’s different.

Dr. Caldwell isn’t another neurosurgeon. He’stheneurosurgeon. A man whose techniques have reshaped the field. Whose innovations have set the standard for modern brain surgery. The director of neurosurgery at University of Washington Medical Center. A pioneer. Researcher. Respected educator…and a living legend in his field.

The exact type of defendant juries love.

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