A Heart's Choice

I killed my patient to save my sister. They wheeled her into my ER. Gunshot wound.

Bleeding out fast. I'm the only surgeon on call. Then I see the donor bracelet.

Universal match. My sister's been on the transplant list for two years. She has days left.

Maybe hours. Nurses are prepping. Vitals dropping. I could save this woman.

Probably. But that heart could save my sister. Definitely. Someone whispers

the patient's a convicted felon. Released yesterday. Does that make it easier?

Does that make me a monster? I hesitate one second too long. Just one.

The monitor flatlines. I don't call it. I wait. Harvest team's already on standby.