rhead lights cast a stark glow on the surgical table where Mia's mother lay, her c

, calm and meticulous, with sharp eyes that scrutinized every detail. Beside him, Dr. Adriel Reyes, the

mmanded, his voice steady

y handed him t

rd said, his focus never wavering as he made the first

his mask. "Not a mira

hould've known. That man has a way

this time. The donor's family needed a lot of persu

He must care about the patient's

moment, save for the rhythm

mly. "Let's not ruin the mira

to remove the failing heart. "Prepare the donor heart for implantat

the monitors. "BP is stable. Oxyge

h the coronary artery junctions with precisi

ands steady as he worked un

. "Most patients don't maintain such stabl

dline, maybe." His thoughts briefly wandered to Mia,

rd leaned back, exhaling deeply. "The

or paddles were charged. "Clear," Dr. H

th

," he

ythm. The beeping of the heart monitor filled

el confirmed, relief

rs relaxing. "We did it. Close

se, the tension finally giving w

he Operat

aited for news. When the double doors finally sw

d the worry etched on her face, the way her hands trembled as she clasped

Mia asked, her

ery was a success," he said with a reassuring smile. "Your mo

ground, tears streaming down her face. "Thank you. Th

t gentle. "We're not the ones you should be th

owed hard, dread creeping in as she remembered the promise s

e time to recover, but you'll be able

's bed toward the ICU. A newfound determination burned in her chest. She vowed s

That E

tillness of the night. Mia sat on a chair in the hallway, her head resti

g lifted. Her eyes fluttered open, and she gasp

her cheeks burning as heat rushed t

. "You fell asleep in the hallway. I'm

voice low but audible enough for h

. "Why so polite

ushing deeper. "Because... b

ng in his eyes. "Don't get used to it. I o

phed into anger. She glared at him, her voice tremb

llenged, his

and with a sigh, he

ied her for a moment before saying, "I'm

r arms. "Why bother showing concern if I'm

her stomach betrayed

voice sending shivers down

imson as she stammer

You're terrible at lying. Come on,

uctantly, her mind spinning with thou