"And the alternative is death." Arthur's voice was flat.
Gates nodded. "What do you think? Do you want to go forward with the plan, or..."
"No." Arthur turned fully toward Gates, his decision immediate. "My sister isn't a lab rat. Just keep her condition stable."
"Arthur, without intervention—"
"I know what I'm doing." His eyes flicked to the countdown only he could see.
"You think you can cure cancer?" Tiana blurted, then immediately regretted speaking as her father shot her a warning glance.
Arthur glanced at her, his eyes cold and calculating. For a heartbeat, Tiana felt like she was being dissected.
"No," he said finally. "If I could, I would have done it already."
He turned back to the window, watching Charlotte's chest rise and fall. "But something will happen in a few days that changes everything."
