Unmasking the Faux Donor

Synopsis

My hands didn't tremble. They never did. Not during the most delicate neural pathway reconstruction, not when separating tumor from healthy tissue by margins measured in millimeters. Six hours into this surgery, and my focus remained absolute. "Suction, please," I murmured, my eyes never leaving the exposed brain tissue illuminated in the harsh surgical lights. The scrub nurse responded instantly, the soft hum of the suction clearing my field of vision. This was my sanctuary. Here, in Operating Room Three of Seattle Presbyterian Hospital, I was untouchable. Dr. Sarah Mitchell, neurosurgeon. Not Sarah Blackwood, wife of Alexander, heir to the Blackwood Industries empire. "Almost there," I whispered, more to myself than to my team. The tumor had wrapped itself around the speech center like a possessive lover. One wrong move, and my patient would wake unable to form words. I wouldn't allow that. With a precision honed through thousands of hours of practice, I separated the final adhesion. The tumor came away clean, the healthy tissue intact. "Tumor fully excised," I announced, allowing