Chapter 29
The phone call sent Luther’s heart into overdrive. He raced to the hospital, his pulse hammering.
There, he found his wife, Yvette Swain, outside the operating room.
“Yvette! How’s Jasper?” Luther’s voice shook, thick with fear as he reached for her.
Yvette’s eyes were red, her face wet with tears. She leaned into him, her legs barely holding her up.
“Jasper… he’s in surgery,” she sobbed, her words falling apart. “But it’s so complicated… even the hospital president said there’s no easy fix…
She was all tears, shaking all over.
Luther’s stomach twisted, panic gripping him. “Where’s the president? I need to talk to him! They can’t just let our boy die!”
Yvette grabbed his arm, her fingers trembling. “He called in his master. They’re in the conference room right now, figuring out a plan. They’ll be out
soon…”
Knowing the director’s master was involved calmed Luther’s fear just a bit. The guy had to be a medical genius–maybe Jasper had a chance.
Just then, the conference room door flew open with a loud bang. Five or six doctors in white coats walked out, their faces serious.
Luther started toward them but stopped dead, his breath catching.
There, among them, was Sylvia, the woman he’d butted heads with at the FDA just hours earlier.
Sylvia’s face was calm and steady, her white coat moving with each confident step. The other doctors followed her quietly, their postures showing respect.
Even Cedric, the hospital’s president, walked close behind, keeping pace with clear admiration.
“President Grove!” Luther grabbed Cedric’s arm, his voice wild. He pointed a shaky finger at Sylvia. “What’s she doing here?”
Cedric didn’t hesitate. “This is Dr. Sullivan, the specialist here to operate on your son.”
“No way!” Luther’s voice broke, almost a yell. “I’m not letting her near my kid!”
He’d blocked Sylvia at the FDA that morning. ‘What if she uses the surgery to get even? Jasper’s life will be at stake!‘
Cedric’s face grew stern, his tone serious. “Mr. Swain, are you sure? You’re refusing her help?”
“You said she’s your master?” Luther’s eyes shot to Sylvia, who stood confidently at the operating room door. His heart sank. “She’s really THAT good?”
Cedric nodded, his voice firm. “Her skills are unmatched. I pulled every favor to get her here. You can say no, but without her, your son’s surgery has a ten percent chance of success.”
“Ten percent?” Luther stumbled back, his face pale
as a
ghost. He never thought Sylvia could be the key to saving his son’s life.
Sylvia overheard and paused at the operating room door.
Without looking back, she spoke, her voice steady and sure. “In here, I’m just a doctor, and there’s just a patient. Saving lives is my duty.”
With that, she walked through the doors, her focus unshaken.
Cedric and the other doctors hurried after her, keeping up..
“Luther, what’s going on?” Yvette rushed over, her voice sharp with worry. “Do you know her?”
1/3
Chapter 29
Luther’s face was pale, but he stayed quiet, not explaining.
If he’d known, he would’ve never picked that fight with Sylvia at the FDA.
The operating room’s lights turned on, signaling the surgery had begun.
Outside, Luther paced like a trapped animal, his nerves unraveling with every passing minute.
Hours stretched from morning to afternoon, the doors still closed.
He couldn’t stand it anymore. He banged on the operating room doors, his fists trembling.
“Luther, what are you doing?” Yvette pulled at his sleeve, her voice high with panic.
“The woman operating on our son… She’s got a grudge against me!” Luther’s shout was full of fear. “This surgery should be done by now. What if she’s hurting him?”
Yvette’s eyes widened, fear taking over. She started pounding on the doors too.
Just then, the doors swung open.
Sylvia’s gaze landed on the couple, calm and sharp, like she could see through their panic.
“The surgery went well,” she said evenly. “Your son’s okay.”
Luther’s eyes widened, disbelief hitting him. He turned to Cedric, who stepped out behind her.
“Dr. Grove, is that true?” His voice shook, holding onto a sliver of hope.
Cedric gave a relieved smile, his eyes shining with admiration. “Thanks to her, it’s a miracle! Hardly anyone in the country could’ve nailed this surgery. Your son was pulled back from the brink.”
Soon after, Luther’s son was wheeled out of the operating room. Jasper was still out from anesthesia, breathing steadily but eyes closed.
A bandage covered his shaved head, with neat stitches from the surgery just visible.
“I’m done here,” Sylvia said, slipping off her white coat and handing it to a nearby doctor. She turned to leave, her shoulders sagging slightly from exhaustion but her walk radiating quiet strength.
Cedric, thankful yet a bit embarrassed for pulling her in again, called out, “Do you need a ride home?”
Sylvia didn’t turn around, just waved him off, her figure disappearing down the hallway.
Luther followed his son’s gurney toward the ward, his mind a mess of feelings. A few steps in, he paused, hesitating.
Then, with a sudden burst of determination, he turned and ran after
Sylvia.
“Miss Sullivan! Hold up!” he shouted, catching her at the hospital entrance, his breath uneven.
He took a deep breath, his eyes tearing up.
“Thank you, Miss Sullivan,” he said, his voice heayy with gratitude.
Sylvia looked at him, her face calm. “Go be with your son. He should wake up in about two hours.”
Luther’s eyes glistened with appreciation.
Mustering his courage, he added, “Dr. Sullivan, your medical patch… It was never the issue. We held it up on purpose. It wasn’t my decision… someone higher up gave the order.”
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Chapter 29
Sylvia gave a small, knowing smile. “Figured.”
So someone was pulling strings.
She hadn’t been back long, but she could already guess who might have it out for her. The list wasn’t long
Without another word, Sylvia walked away from the hospital.
Luther watched her leave, his heart mixed with regret and relief, before rushing back to his son’s bedside.
At the corner of the hospital corridor, a small figure stood still, his wide eyes filled with awe.
It was Zack. He’d overheard everything and just learned Sylvia had pulled off a nearly impossible surgery.
Shock hit him, too big for words.
He never knew her medical skills were that amazing.
Growing up, he’d only known his mom as the country woman who made bitter herbal remedies. He’d rather get a shot than drink her awful brews.
But now? Not only was she a pro with those old remedies, she was doing intense surgeries and earning everyone’s respect.
Yet… her new medical patch had run into trouble.
Zack’s thoughts spun until a familiar voice cut through. “Zack, what’re you looking at? I’ve got her meds–let’s go home.”
It was Liana, his grandmother, her voice warm but tired.
Liana had dealt with chronic back pain for years. When Sylvia was with the Blair family, she’d kept it in check.
family, she’d kept it in check.
But after Sylvia and Byron’s divorce, the pain came back with a vengeance. Lately, it had gotten so bad she had to drag herself to the hospital.
