Ava's trembling hands gripped the arms of her wheelchair as Margaret pressed the glass of orange juice against her lips.

The intensive care unit on the fourth floor of Manhattan General Hospital was quiet, save for the rhythmic, steady beep of the heart monitor.

Ava lay in the center of the private room, an IV line taped to the back of her hand, flushing the residual neuro-sedatives out of her bloodstream. The deep purple bruise on her cheek was swollen, but her breathing was deep, calm, and uninterrupted for the first time in months.

Ethan sat in the plastic chair beside her bed, his head buried in his hands.

He hadn't slept in thirty-six hours. He hadn't changed his suit, which was still stained with the dust from the office floor where Ava had fallen. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw his mother standing over his helpless wife, forcing the poisoned glass against her lips.

A soft knock at the door broke the silence.

Lena stepped inside quietly, carrying a small bag containing Ava's personal belongings from the house. Her cheek was swollen where Margaret had struck her, covered by a neat white bandage.

"Mr. Sterling?" Lena whispered. "The doctors said the toxin levels in her blood are dropping fast. She's going to be okay."

Ethan raised his head, his eyes red and bloodshot. "Lena... come in. Please."

Lena walked over, placing the bag on the bedside table. "I brought her clothes from the room. The police are still searching the estate. They've sealed off Mrs. Sterling's entire wing."

Ethan looked up at the young maid. "Why didn't you leave, Lena? When Margaret threatened you... when she raised her hand... why did you stay?"

Lena looked down at Ava, a gentle, protective smile touching her lips. "Because Mrs. Sterling was killing her, sir. Mrs. Ava was always kind to the staff. She never treated us like servants. When I noticed she was getting more confused every morning after drinking her juice, I started checking the trash bins. I found the empty pill vials two weeks ago."

"You risked your job... your safety... to protect my wife," Ethan said, his voice thick with emotion. He stood up, taking Lena's hands in his. "I can never repay you for what you did today. If you hadn't burst through that door when you did..."

"I just did what was right, Mr. Sterling," Lena said softly.

Suddenly, a weak, rasping sound came from the bed.