Chapter 9

The Seattle rain tapped gently against the windows of the conference room, creating a soothing backdrop to the silence that followed my presentation. I stood at the podium, watching as twenty of the Northwest's top cardiac specialists processed what I'd just shared. Three years had passe

Chapter 10

The Minnesota Conference Hall buzzed with anticipation as hundreds of the world's top cardiac specialists filled the auditorium. I stood backstage, smoothing down my navy blue dress and touching the silver locket at my throat—my grandfather's final gift and my only remaining connection