Medical Center.
"Oh," Adam nodded calmly, taking the explanation in stride.
After all, it's normal for a rich guy to be out there grinding 996—or even 007—on work, right? Plus, didn't he hire the best caregivers money could buy? She's got him, just like he's got her…
Okay, fine. Adam couldn't keep up the charade.
They say no filial son lingers long at a sickbed—let alone an engaged couple who aren't even married yet. A wealthy playboy like Danny? Would he rather be fighting it out in a world of booze and babes, or stuck by his fiancée's bedside, dealing with vomit and weird smells, running around to battle her illness alongside her?
The answer's obvious.
In Adam's eyes, the fact that Danny stuck around for two days before bailing with the excuse of "work" and hiring a caregiver showed at least a shred of humanity. Plenty of people in his shoes would've just ghosted entirely.
But for Liz?
All that talk about fighting the disease together 'til they're old and gray, only for him to sneakily hire a caregiver and slip away? Her passion and devotion ended up as empty as a gust of wind, tearing through her insides, leaving her too cold to even cry. She forced a smile, words stuck in her throat, thinking to herself: Well, isn't this a crisp fall day?
After the surgery, the group stood outside the room, watching Liz, still unconscious from the anesthesia.
"Does love even exist?" Meredith asked, sinking into doubt again. "Liz gave him everything, and what does he do? When she needed him most, he says he's 'busy with work.'
He throws some cash at a so-called top-tier caregiver and thinks that makes up for all she sacrificed for him? What happened to all those deep promises and vows—did they just get fed to the dogs?"
"Dogs get treated better than people these days," Adam quipped, raising an eyebrow. "Aren't you the biggest dog lover here? Why's it sound like you're dissing them now?"
"…" Meredith faltered, shooting him an exasperated look. "We're talking about Danny letting Liz down—don't drag random stuff into this!"
Sure, dogs have climbed the social ladder, but deep down, people still tie them to insults. She just couldn't say that out loud.
"Alright, you guys chat then," Adam said with a shrug, ready to bounce.
"Adam, how can you be so cold?" Meredith huffed. "Liz is in such a pitiful state…"
"So?" Adam grinned. "Don't tell me you forgot everything I've said before. If you remembered even a little, you wouldn't be acting so shocked and outraged.
I warned you all about this ages ago. Liz is a free person—she made her choices, and now she's dealing with the consequences. What else can I say? Bash Danny a bit?
What's the point? Maybe he really does have important stuff to handle. Look at Liz—she even faked being sick to win him back. You're all fired up now, but what if they patch things up later? Bet you anything Liz'll turn around and rip into you for it."
"…" Meredith went quiet.
Knowing Liz's flair for drama, that wasn't a small possibility.
"Oh, by the way," Adam paused, turning back to her with a smile. "Speaking of warnings, I hear you're pretty tempted by that idea of a death row inmate donating organs to save someone?"
"Little Jackson needs a liver and intestine transplant," Meredith explained. "The transplant center hasn't found anything yet. Meanwhile, Mr. Dunn's set to be executed in a few days. If he'd donate his healthy organs, it could save Jackson—he's only 10."
"You checked blood types?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, they're a match," Meredith nodded.
"So what's your plan?" Adam pressed, curious. "Jackson's got 24 hours. The inmate's execution is days away, and no matter how they kill him, it won't leave the organs viable for transplant."
"I…" Meredith hesitated.
"See?" Adam chuckled knowingly. "You're just like Liz—you need my advice. Take a good look at her situation and think hard about what I'm telling you.
First off, don't trust a serial killer! You think he's been 'moved' by you before he dies, wanting to go out with some meaning? A guy who kills people based on the day of the week—do you really think he'd see saving someone as valuable?
Life means nothing to him! Oh, right—I heard he keeps saying, 'As long as you can sleep well, Dr. Grey.' So you think he's doing this for you, to impress you?
You're overestimating your charm. Don't forget, he tortured and killed women! What do you think women are to him?
And didn't he ask you how you'd choose to die if you could pick? Hanging or injection. Injection's obviously more peaceful. So him donating organs? It's got a selfish angle—he wants a comfier death."
"Isn't that it?" Meredith finally cut in.
Adam had nailed all three of her thoughts. The first two were about her charm, which she couldn't argue against. But the last one? That's what she'd found most believable. If it were her, she'd pick the easier death too.
"Sorry, probably not!" Adam said, grinning at her. "Because if you step in and help him, he might not even have to die.
The second you get involved, he can claim you coerced him into donating. His lawyer will sue, saying he didn't get proper medical care. His execution'll likely get delayed again, and you'll probably lose your license.
He dodges death and screws you over. Think about it—which fits his personality more? The reasons you came up with, or that?"
"Meredith, don't do anything reckless," Christina said, her face paling as she grabbed her friend. "Trust Adam. Look at Liz—she didn't listen to him, and now she's a mess."
"Like I always say," Adam added with a small smile, "as a colleague and friend, I'll give you all the warnings I can.
But whether you trust the morals of a woman-killing death row inmate and your own charm, or you trust my judgment—that's up to you. I've done my part. The choice is yours."
"I…" Meredith's face went white.
She'd actually been swayed by the inmate earlier. Saving a kid who needed a transplant and giving the guy a more humane death? To her, it was a win-win.
The inmate had just had brain surgery, with part of his skull removed. Only the dura mater and some gauze covered it now—basically exposed. One wrong move, and it could bleed out, leading to brain death.
Of course, she wasn't planning to go in totally unprotected. She'd already decided to warn him about the risk later, saying, "Don't do anything like that." As his doctor, that was a fair heads-up, right?
But that all hinged on the inmate being what she expected. If he was what Adam predicted, she'd be toast. And Adam's version? It lined up way too well with the guy's profile…
(End of Chapter)