The fallout came fast. Within a week, Aiden’s name was suspended from the medical register. The hospital issued a formal statement citing gross misconduct, patient data violations, and ethical breaches. His nursing license was revoked pending a full criminal investigation.
The charges included unauthorized access to confidential files, manipulation under false pretenses, and medical fraud. Maya gave her full statement to the police. Detective Langford promised they would pursue it to the very end. Aiden had hired a lawyer, but no amount of legal maneuvering could undo what he’d done.
The story made the news. At first, it was just local media, but then one segment went viral—“Athlete Deceived Into Organ Donation by Hospital Nurse”—and suddenly, everyone knew her name. It was surreal. Strangers flooded her inbox with support, outrage, and heartbreak. Athletes shared her story. People sent flowers.
Her former coach reached out. “You don’t owe the sport anything,” he said. “But if you ever want to coach—junior division, youth training—we’d be lucky to have you.” The sports association created a fund in her name to support athletes facing medical setbacks. Donations poured in. For the first time in months, Maya didn’t feel powerless.
As for Aiden’s wife, she moved out the next day. The neighbors said she didn’t take much—just two suitcases and a dog-eared photo album. She never replied to Maya’s message. That was okay. Some wounds didn’t need reopening. Some apologies weren’t owed.
Maya took her time. She rested more. Trained less. Slowly, she found a rhythm again. Her body was different now—scarred, unpredictable—but her will was intact. One afternoon, she laced up her shoes, walked to the track, and ran a single lap. Just one. It wasn’t much. But it was hers.