From the entire day.
Four-thirty alarm.
Shift.
Humiliation.
Cardiology visit.
Emergency.
Donor center.
He wanted his bed.
He wanted silence.
He wanted Sarah.
That last want came hardest.
A woman had almost lost her child today.
Marcus knew what irreversible loss looked like.
No matter what Victoria had said to him in the lobby, he would not wish that on her.
At 8:12 p.m., Victoria came downstairs.
She had removed her heels and was carrying them in one hand.
Stockings on hospital floor.
Hair down.
No CEO left in her appearance.
Just a mother.
She found Marcus near the entrance.
Lily slept across his lap.
"Mr. Webb."
Marcus opened his eyes.
"How is she?"
"Surgery went well."
The words came out through tears.
"They controlled the bleeding."
"She's still being monitored, but Dr. Chen says her numbers are improving."
Marcus nodded.
"Good."
Victoria stared at him.
"I was told the blood bank received emergency donations and regional units in time."
"That's good."
She shook her head.
"You keep saying that as though none of this has anything to do with you."
"I gave blood."
"So did other people."
"You were there."
He looked at her.
"Ms. Ashford—"
"Victoria."
"Okay."
She took one step closer.
"May I apologize?"
Marcus looked down at Lily.
Then toward the doors.
"You can."
Victoria swallowed.
"This morning I treated you terribly."
"Yes."
The direct answer surprised her.
"I embarrassed you in front of people."
"Yes."
"I assumed your work reflected your ability."
Marcus did not answer.
"I didn't know anything about you."
"That's usually how assumptions work."
Victoria accepted the hit.
"I've spent my entire career telling myself that standards are not personal."
"That if I push people hard, it's because excellence matters."
"But what I did this morning wasn't about excellence."
"It was contempt."
Marcus looked at her more carefully.
Victoria continued.
"I saw a cleaning cart."
"I saw a contractor uniform."
"I decided I knew what kind of person was standing in front of me."
"And then today..."
She glanced at Lily.
"You helped my daughter in the corridor."
"You donated blood after hearing the emergency appeal."
"You did those things knowing exactly how I had treated you."
Marcus spoke quietly.
"Emma didn't treat me that way."
Victoria's eyes closed briefly.
"No."
"She didn't."
"She was a scared kid."
"I could help."
"That's all."
Victoria's voice cracked.
"It isn't all."
Marcus shifted Lily slightly.
"What do you want me to say?"
"I don't know."
"That I forgive you?"
Victoria hesitated.
"No."
"If you don't."
"Then don't."
That answer earned something from Marcus.
Not forgiveness.
Attention.
Victoria said:
"I don't want an apology from me to become another demand on you."