The moment the elevator doors opened on the ground floor, Samuel strode toward the parking lot, his jaw clenched. His thoughts raced as he pulled out his car keys and unlocked the car. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he started the engine with a roar and gripped the steering wheel tightly.
As he pulled out of the parking space, Samuel’s mind was a whirlwind. Zinnia’s words replayed over and over: "Something happened to my father." The uncertainty gnawed at him.
He glanced at his phone, resting on the passenger seat, as he sped toward the hospital. A dozen thoughts crossed his mind. Should he call her? No, she was likely overwhelmed already. He’d only add to her stress. For now, all he could do was get there as fast as possible.
The city’s streets blurred as he maneuvered through traffic, his focus razor-sharp. A red light forced him to stop, and he tapped his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel.
"Come on," he muttered under his breath, his eyes fixed on the signal.
As soon as the light turned green, he pressed the accelerator, weaving through the cars ahead of him. His usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a single-minded determination.
When he finally pulled into the hospital parking lot, he barely took the time to park properly. Grabbing his phone and keys, he stepped out and hurried toward the entrance.
The sterile smell of the hospital hit him as he walked in. He scanned the lobby for any sign of Zinnia but saw only nurses and visitors.
He approached the reception desk, his voice steady but urgent. "I’m looking for Ricardo Lopez. He was brought in earlier."
The receptionist glanced at her computer, typing quickly. "Are you family?"
Samuel hesitated for a split second before replying, "I’m his son-in-law."
The receptionist nodded and directed him to the waiting area near the emergency department. He thanked her curtly and walked briskly down the corridor.
As he reached the waiting area, his eyes immediately landed on Zinnia. She was sitting on one of the plastic chairs, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her head was bowed slightly, and she looked lost in thought.
"Zia," he called softly, his voice breaking the silence.
Her head snapped up, and relief washed over her face when she saw him. "Sam," she said, standing up. Her voice was shaky.
He closed the distance between them in a few steps, his hand instinctively reaching for hers. "What happened? How’s your father?"
Zinnia took a deep breath, her eyes glistening. "He collapsed earlier at home. The doctors are still running tests. They think it might be his heart."
Samuel squeezed her hand gently, his voice firm but comforting. "He’s strong, Zia. He’ll pull through. I’m here now, and I’ll stay as long as you need me."
Her lips quivered as she nodded, the weight of the situation pressing down on her. "Thank you," she whispered.
He led her back to the chairs, sitting beside her and keeping her hand in his. "Have the doctors said anything else?"
"They’re still inside with him," she replied. "My mom’s with him too."
Samuel nodded, his jaw tightening. He hated seeing Zinnia like this—so vulnerable, so worried. He resolved to do whatever it took to support her, no matter what.
For now, all they could do was wait.
Time felt like it crawled as Zinnia and Samuel sat in the sterile hospital waiting area. The steady hum of the fluorescent lights and the occasional sound of footsteps did little to distract them from their worry. Zinnia’s fingers fidgeted with the hem of her sweater, her face pale and drawn.
Finally, the sound of footsteps broke through the tension, and Zinnia looked up to see a doctor emerging from the double doors. Behind him was her mother, Mrs. Lopez, who looked visibly shaken. Her face was pale, her usually steady demeanor now fragile.
Zinnia shot to her feet, Samuel rising beside her. "Mom," she called out, her voice trembling.
Mrs. Lopez managed a weak smile, but her hands were clasped tightly in front of her. "Zinnia," she said softly. "The doctor will explain."
The doctor, a middle-aged man with a calm and professional air, addressed them. "Mr. Lopez is stable for now," he began, his voice measured. "He experienced a cardiac episode, which was serious. But fortunately, he was brought in quickly, and we were able to intervene in time."
Zinnia felt a small wave of relief wash over her, but her chest still tightened. "Is he going to be okay?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The doctor adjusted his glasses, his expression grave. "We’ve stabilized him, but his heart is very weak. He will need to stay in the hospital for at least a month under close monitoring. During this time, we’ll administer treatments to strengthen his condition."
Mrs. Lopez, her voice trembling, interjected, "And after that? Will he be alright after the treatments?"
The doctor hesitated before continuing, his tone serious. "If his condition improves, we may be able to manage it here. But if not, heart surgery will be necessary. Unfortunately, given his specific case, the procedure carries significant risks. Currently, the best specialists and facilities for this type of surgery are abroad, where the success rate is higher."
Zinnia’s legs felt weak, and she leaned slightly toward Samuel, who instinctively placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Abroad?" she echoed, her voice cracking.
"Yes," the doctor confirmed. "If surgery becomes necessary, I strongly recommend transferring him to a facility that specializes in complex cardiac cases. It would increase his chances significantly."
Mrs. Lopez nodded, though her hands were trembling. "We’ll do whatever it takes," she said, her voice firm despite her obvious fear. "I don’t care about the cost. Just tell us what needs to be done."
The doctor offered a small, understanding smile. "For now, let’s focus on stabilizing him further and observing how he responds to the treatments here. We’ll reassess in a few weeks and decide the next steps."
Zinnia swallowed hard, her throat dry. "Can we see him?"