“Why not?”
I twist the ring on my finger. All I can hear is her steady breath on the line.
“Why me?”
That takes me by surprise. She doesn’t strike me as a woman needing her ego rubbed, so I go with honesty. “Because you built a company that opens doors others can’t.”
“Email me the patient file. I’ll take a look.” No promises. No warmth. But sheer authority in her tone. She doesn’t ask for anything from me. There’s no bargaining. No mention of the retreat. She doesn’t name a price.
“Thank you,” I say.
“I’ll be in touch.”
She hangs up, and for the first time in weeks, I don’t feel alone in the fight.