Silence.
Despite the background noise of bustling hospital staff, clanking instruments, and the muffled voices of nurses and doctors, a tense silence fell between Matt and Sheila.
They exchanged glances for a few seconds before looking away, unable to maintain eye contact for long.
Matt broke the silence first, saying:
"I'm really sorry to do this, Dr. Treit, but..."
"Yes, yes... I understand. It's normal to do this when you're about to take such a critical measure with a patient, to ask a family member's opinion whenever possible," Sheila replied quickly, her fingers touching her forehead in a gesture of pain. Her voice tried to be firm, but a slight tremor betrayed her discomfort.
Why? Why wouldn't the discomfort go away?
The hum of machines and the faint beeping of Sophia's monitors filled the space. Sheila felt as if every sound was amplified in her head, hammering against her tired brain.
