Chapter 6 - THE MEDICINE THAT NEVER ARRIVED
The nurse arrived two days later.
Her name was Patricia Wells. She was in her forties, with tired eyes and a folder full of documents. She had worked in the estate for nearly three years before resigning.
Lorenzo met her in the study.
“Why did you leave?”
Patricia glanced toward the door.
“Because I was told to sign medication records I hadn't completed.”
“By whom?”
“Mrs. Gable.”
“Did you report it?”
“I tried. The estate administrator said I was confused and threatened to report me for mishandling controlled medication.”
Lorenzo leaned forward.
“Did you ever suspect someone was deliberately withholding treatment from my father?”
Patricia took a breath.
“Yes.”
She opened her folder and placed several copies on the desk.
“Mr. Giovanni's therapy plan included assisted movement, speech exercises, and medication intended to reduce complications. But several doses were missing from the supply. The administration records showed they had been given.”
“Who had access to the medication?”
“Mrs. Gable. The estate administrator. And anyone with a master key to the medical cabinet.”
Lorenzo studied the papers.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“I sent two letters to your Manhattan office. I received no response.”
He looked at Matteo.
“Find those letters.”
Patricia continued.
“There was another problem. The doctor who signed the last six months of reviews wasn't the physician who examined your father. His name was copied from an older report.”
Lorenzo's expression hardened.
“Are you certain?”
“I kept the original records.”
He stood.
“From now on, you report directly to me. You will examine my father, document every treatment, and tell me immediately if anything is missing.”
Patricia nodded.
When she entered room 4B, Giovanni's eyes followed her.
“Mr. Moretti,” she said gently. “It's Patricia. I'm back.”
His fingers moved against the blanket.
Patricia looked at Lorenzo.
“He recognizes me.”
“Can you tell whether he understands what we're saying?”
“I believe he can. We need proper testing, but his responses are purposeful.”
Lorenzo looked at his father.
“Then we're going to give you every chance.”
That evening, Nora found Giovanni awake. She sat beside him and told him the nurse had returned.
“She's kind,” Nora said. “I think you'll like her.”
Giovanni's gaze moved toward the door.
Nora followed it.
“Are you waiting for Lorenzo?”
His eyes shifted back to her.
She smiled.
“He comes more often now.”
Then she rubbed her belly.
“Lily has been kicking all day. I think she likes the sound of the fire.”
Giovanni's fingers moved.
Nora took his hand.
“Do you want to feel?”
She gently guided his palm to the side of her belly.
A small kick pressed beneath his hand.
For one suspended second, Giovanni's eyes widened.
His fingers curled.
A sound emerged from his throat.
“Li…”
Nora's eyes filled.
“Lily?”
He blinked once.
She laughed through her tears.
“You remembered.”
The door opened.
Lorenzo stood there, having heard the sound.
“What did he say?”
Nora looked at him.
“He said Lily.”
Lorenzo crossed the room.
“Father, can you say it again?”
Giovanni tried. His mouth moved, but no clear word came.
Patricia arrived moments later and checked his response.
“This is significant,” she said. “We need to document it. He may be responding to familiar voices and emotional cues.”
Lorenzo looked at Nora.
“You brought him back to us.”
Nora shook her head.
“No, sir. He was here the whole time.”
May you like
Giovanni's eyes rested on her.
For the first time in five years, the old man looked almost peaceful.
