Chapter 3 - THE BROTHER WHO BROUGHT WHITE ROSES
Matteo Rossi arrived the following morning carrying white roses.
He was thirty-one, handsome, elegantly dressed, and possessed the kind of smile that made strangers trust him before they understood why.
He introduced himself at the nurses' station.
“Matteo Rossi. Alessandro's brother.”
I recognized him immediately.
Not because I had met him.
Because Alessandro had whispered his name like a warning.
“Is my brother awake?” Matteo asked.
“He's recovering,” I answered.
“Wonderful.”
His smile widened.
“Vanessa told me he had a difficult evening.”
I said nothing.
Matteo placed the flowers on the counter.
“These are for him.”
I looked at the bouquet.
White roses.
A silver ribbon.
An expensive arrangement.
“Flowers aren't permitted in the ICU,” I said.
His smile faltered.
“Surely you can make an exception.”
“No.”
He studied my name badge.
“Emily Carter.”
I nodded.
“I've heard about you.”
“That happens when you work in a hospital.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
Then he laughed.
“Alessandro has always appreciated difficult women.”
I looked at him.
“His medical team determines when visitors are appropriate.”
Matteo leaned closer.
“And who determines whether nurses keep their jobs?”
I didn't move.
“Not you.”
Twenty minutes later, Matteo was speaking to the hospital administrator.
He claimed I had behaved unprofessionally toward Vanessa.
He suggested Alessandro's confusion was being exploited.
He demanded my removal from the case.
My supervisor, Nurse Manager Patricia Wells, called me into her office.
“Emily, this is becoming complicated.”
I sat down.
“I'm aware.”
“The Rossi family has donated millions to this hospital.”
I nodded.
“That doesn't change the patient's rights.”
Patricia sighed.
“No, it doesn't.”
She looked at me carefully.
“Tell me exactly what happened.”
I did.
Every word.
Every threat.
Every statement Alessandro made.
Patricia listened.
Then said, “Document everything.”
That afternoon, Alessandro asked to speak with his physician privately.
After the discussion, Dr. Bennett informed the appropriate staff that Alessandro had requested restrictions on certain visitors.
Vanessa and Matteo were not to enter without his permission.
When I entered his room that evening, Alessandro was awake.
“You look tired,” he whispered.
I checked his IV.
“You look worse.”
His mouth twitched.
“Charming.”
“I specialize in honesty.”
He watched me.
Then said, “He came.”
I stopped.
“Who?”
“Matteo.”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
Alessandro looked toward the door.
“Did he bring flowers?”
I stared.
“How did you know?”
His expression hardened.
“White roses?”
I nodded slowly.
He closed his eyes.
“Same flowers.”
My stomach tightened.
“As what?”
May you like
He opened his eyes.
“The funeral arrangements he ordered before I was dead.”
