Chapter 9 - The Rebirth
The heart transplant surgery lasted nine hours.
Led by three of the world’s top cardiothoracic surgeons, Owen’s diseased, thickened heart was removed and replaced with the healthy, strong organ that had arrived in a silver cooler under police escort from JFK airport.
By noon the following day, Owen was brought out of sedation in the cardiovascular recovery unit.
The heavy, crushing weight that had pressed against his chest for five years was gone. In its place was a strong, steady, rhythmic beat that vibrated deep within his chest—a steady drumbeat of pure, vibrant life.
Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump-thump.
Owen took a deep, clean breath—the first effortless breath he had taken in decades.
Beside his bed, sleeping with her head resting on the edge of the mattress, was Hannah. Her small hand was wrapped tightly around his index finger, even in her sleep.
Owen slowly lifted his other hand, feeling the incredible strength coursing through his veins. He reached over and gently stroked her soft dark hair.
Hannah stirred instantly, opening her eyes.
She looked at the color returning to his face. She looked at the clear monitor showing a perfect, steady heart rate of seventy beats per minute.
“Dad?” she whispered.
“I’m here, sweetheart,” Owen said, his voice stronger and clearer than it had been in years. “I’m right here.”
Tears finally overflowed from Hannah’s dark eyes—not tears of fear or survival, but pure, overwhelming joy. She leaned up gently, being careful of his surgical bandages, and buried her face into his shoulder.
Owen wrapped his arms around his daughter, pulling her close, holding the last piece of his sister, his blood, and his heart.
Two weeks later, the press reported a monumental news story.
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Owen Faulkner had officially stepped down as CEO of Faulkner Enterprises, appointing a trustworthy, ethical board of directors to manage the corporate operations. He announced that eighty percent of his trillion-dollar fortune was being converted into the Hannah & Eleanor Faulkner Global Foundation, dedicated to building modern orphanages, pediatric medical centers, and housing communities for destitute mothers across the world.
Julian Faulkner and Arthur Montgomery were convicted in federal court of grand larceny and corporate fraud, sentenced to twelve years in federal prison without parole. The corrupt empire they had attempted to steal was dismantled, replaced by a global legacy of healing.
