Pain seared through my chest like molten iron, radiating outward in waves that left me gasping. I'd experienced pain before—broken bones, knife wounds from business rivals gone rogue—but nothing like this.
"Mr. Vance, please try to remain still," the doctor said, pressing a stethoscope against my chest.
We'd barely made it back to Havenwood City. The hospital's emergency team had stabilized me with medications, but the agony persisted. Every beat of my heart felt like it might be my last.
"What's happening to me?" I demanded through gritted teeth.
The doctor's expression remained professionally neutral, but I caught the flicker of concern in his eyes. "Your heart is severely strained. The tests show significant blockages. We've done what we can with conventional medicine, but..."
"But what?" My voice cracked embarrassingly.
"You need specialized treatment beyond what we can offer."
