The Cloud of Doubt over Brain Death
Last time, Mark took our daughter, Lily, who had a cold, to his dad’s hospital. She was pronounced dead from a serious illness.
By the time I got to the hospital, Mark had already authorized Lily’s organs to be transplanted into his mistress’s son.
Later, I found out that Mark’s dad, the doctor, had removed Lily’s organs even though her vital signs were stable.
I confronted them, demanding answers. Mark, his parents, they all ganged up on me, forced me to drink poison, and killed me.
I woke up, back to the moment Mark was taking Lily to the hospital.
My mother-in-law’s nagging voice broke through: “The child’s sick and you don’t care. Now you’re too lazy to even make dinner. You treat our whole family like your personal servants!”
I snapped alert, “Mom, Mark took Lily to the doctor this morning. They’re not back yet?”
My mother-in-law’s voice dripped with scorn. “So what if they’re not back? My son took that little brat to the doctor! You’re home doing nothing and just causing trouble!”
I didn’t waste a second. I had to get to the hospital. Last time, Lily’s organs were transplanted within a day! I prayed I wasn’t too late.
My mother-in-law grabbed my arm as I headed for the door. “Where do you think you’re going instead of making dinner?”
“Mom, it’s an emergency. I won’t be home for dinner.”
She tightened her grip. “You little hussy, you’re just trying to slack off!”
“You’re not going anywhere today. Get in that kitchen and cook!”
She locked the door from the inside and took the key back to her bedroom. I was trapped. We needed the key to unlock the door from the inside.
Tears welled in my eyes. “Mom, please let me out! It’s really important!”
I begged her in her room.
She dangled the key, a smug look on her face. “So you need something from me, huh?”
“Mom, I’ll do anything. Just give me the key…”
She feigned nonchalance. “Well, next month I’m going on a trip with my friends. They’ll all be dripping in jewelry, and I’ll have nothing…”
I didn’t let her finish. “Mom, you want my gold set, right? I’ll get it for you now!”
The gold set was a wedding gift from my parents, two pounds of exquisitely crafted jewelry. My mother-in-law had coveted it since the day I got married.
I didn’t hesitate. I gave her the gold.
Her eyes lit up as she snatched it. I grabbed the key, ran out the door, and raced to the hospital.
I spotted Mark at the end of the hallway.
“Mark! Stop!” I yelled, running towards him.
He looked startled, then annoyed. “What’s the rush? I told you to wait at home. Don’t you trust Dad’s medical skills?”
My father-in-law was the Deputy Director of the Children’s Hospital, a renowned specialist. But skills meant nothing without ethics.
“Where’s Lily? How is she? Take me to her!”
He shoved me away. “What’s with the hysteria? Dad and I are here. You don’t need to worry. Go home!”
I gripped his arm. “I’m not leaving until I see Lily!”
“Get off me!” He kicked me to the ground. “You have no say in our family matters!”
My father-in-law emerged from his office, frowning at me sprawled on the floor. “What’s she doing here?”
I struggled to my feet. “Dad, where’s Lily? If you don’t let me see her, I’ll call the police!”
He glared at me. “What are you yelling about? Lily died of myocarditis. She’s gone.”
“We’re arranging for organ donation…”
He spoke so calmly, as if Lily’s death was nothing more than a squirrel’s.
Organ donation? Who gave them the right?
“Lily just had a cold this morning! How could she be dead?! I don’t believe you! I want to see her! Give me back my daughter…”
Mark slapped me across the face. I spat out a tooth, blood filling my mouth.
Disgust twisted his features. “Dad handled her case! You don’t trust his diagnosis?”
“Go home and stop embarrassing yourself!”
My father-in-law made a call. “Get her out of here. I need to sign the papers.”
“Sign what papers? Lily’s fine! What are you doing…” I screamed.
Mark pinned me to a waiting room chair, his voice uncharacteristically soft. “Lily’s gone. I’m signing the organ donation papers. It’s a way for her to live on. I know it’s hard to accept…”
I couldn’t hear him. “You can’t donate her organs without my consent! She’s alive! This is murder!”
My father-in-law exploded. “I’m her grandfather! Do you think I’d hurt her?”
“I pronounced her dead myself! What’s your problem?!”
“Her father consented to the donation!”
“You think we’re selling her organs! We don’t need that kind of money!”
Nurses, doctors, onlookers, they all stared at me with disdain.
“Look at her, pretending to care. All she wants is money.”
“That poor child. Even in death, her mother won’t let her rest!”
A nurse chimed in. “Dr. Lewis is one of the most respected doctors in this hospital!”
“People wait months to see him!”
“How dare you accuse him like this!”
Doctors, nurses, patients’ families, they all jumped to his defense, either out of genuine respect or a desire to curry favor.
I became the villain, the heartless stepmother who cared more about money than her dying child.
Another nurse added, “Let your husband sign the papers. Another patient could be saved. Think of it as a blessing for your daughter.”
The crowd echoed, “Let him sign! Don’t be selfish!”
My mother-in-law arrived, decked out in my gold jewelry – earrings, necklace, bracelets, even the ring.
She paraded past the crowd, flaunting her new acquisitions, and came straight to me.
“You troublemaker! Causing a scene! Come home with me!”
The gold hadn’t softened her. She saw me clinging to Mark’s arm and shrieked.
“You vicious woman! Look at his hand! You’re hurting him! Let go of my son… Oh, my poor son…”
She pried at my fingers, cursing me.
My fingers screamed in pain, but I held on.
She slapped my already bruised face. “Let go, you witch! Do you want him to die of pain?!”
Overpowered, I finally let go.
Mark bolted. I lunged after him, but my mother-in-law held me back. The crowd blocked my path.
I sobbed. “He’s going to kill my daughter! You’re all accomplices!”
They ignored me, holding me captive.
One minute passed… ten minutes… my heart tore apart… thirty minutes… despair crept in.
All I could do was scream for help.
Just as I was giving up, officials arrived.
The lead investigator’s presence eased my panic.
“Ma’am, did you call us? Tell us what happened.”
His voice was stern, his expression official, but his eyes held a hint of reassurance.
“Sir, please save my daughter. She’s still alive. The Deputy Director of this hospital is going to remove her organs…”
My mother-in-law slapped me again. “Stop lying! Do you want to ruin your father-in-law’s career…”
She turned to the investigator. “Sir, it’s a misunderstanding. My daughter-in-law just lost her child. She’s not thinking clearly… Go back, there’s nothing wrong here.”
The investigator calmly addressed her. “Obstructing justice is a crime. If you don’t release her and stop assaulting her, we’ll call the police.”
She recoiled, silenced.
The hospital director rushed over, his face pale. “Mr. Davis, what brings you here? Anything you need, just let me know…”
Mr. Davis remained impassive. “I had to come. I hear your hospital is harvesting organs from living patients.”
The director’s face drained of color. He barked at his staff, “Who is responsible for this?! Find them immediately!”
“It’s Deputy Director Lewis. My husband signed the consent form. If we wait any longer, I’m afraid…”
Before I could finish, the director yelled, “Stop the surgery!”
He dispatched staff to the operating room and ran after them.
