“Gideon?” she breathed. Her voice was barely audible. Her eyes widened at the scar carved into my chest.
Damien, who had moments ago writhed in fake agony, flicked his eyes up. For a second, something cold gleamed in his gaze.
But he quickly masked it, dragging his wounded act back on, reaching feebly for Celeste’s
sleeve.
“Sir, 1-”
His hand found only air.
Celeste rushed to my side instead. She called for the medical team, urgency in her voice. But when she glanced back at Damien’s pathetic form, she paused–then gestured for only
half the team to assist him.
Even that half included elite cardiac surgeons.
Minutes later, the lead doctor emerged, his expression strained.
“This is a complicated case. He needs to be transferred to Boston for surgery.”
Celeste stepped forward. “You’re the best in the field. Can’t you handle it?”
The doctor looked uneasy. “It’s not that simple.”
Her face darkened.
Since Alden’s death, she had refused to share a bed with Gideon again–not since he betrayed her by refusing to testify. Not once had she asked how she’d ended up with a scar
like that on her heart.
Before the operation, I stirred. Consciousness flickered at the edge of my mind. I saw the doctor’s white coat in front of me.
I forced my voice out through cracked lips.
“If I die… give what’s in my heart… to the police…”
Celeste, now dressed in a sterile gown, froze mid–step.
I wanted to say more–but darkness swallowed me whole.
Outside the OR, the doctor reappeared, soaked in sweat.
“It’s more serious than we thought. There’s a foreign object lodged in the heart. It’s not touching the artery–yet.”
“If it’s not touching it, can’t you just leave it?” Celeste asked, her voice taut.
He shook his head grimly.
“It’s a miracle it hasn’t pierced the aorta already. But we can’t promise it’ll stay that way. One wrong move, one strong heartbeat–and it could rupture the vessel. If that happens, we won’t be able to save him. The risk of death is over 70%.”
Her breath caught.
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“So what now?”
“We recommend continued observation while we consider surgical options.”
She had no choice but to agree.
So she waited outside the ward. Alone. Her thoughts a heavy swirl of guilt, dread, and
unease.
She couldn’t stop replaying his last words before losing consciousness.
21
