Chapter 4

To increase the surgery's success rate, Dad didn't give me enough anesthesia.

I could even feel the scalpel slicing through my flesh and tissue.

It hurt so much.

When people are afraid, they instinctively call for the person they depend on most.

But just as the words left my mouth, I suddenly became coldly aware: I had no one left to turn to.

Dad, wearing a mask, glanced at me with a complex expression that finally settled into coldness. "You should have known."

My pupils dilated slightly. Hearing his words, I only found it laughable.

I said softly, "I'm sorry for the trouble... Doctor."

He seemed even more displeased. His movements became rougher. I jerked in pain, breaking out in cold sweat.

He said nothing more, focusing on the surgery.

The surgery took a long time—so long I felt like I'd already died.

Much later, Dad sewed the final stitch. He sighed and said quietly, "It's over."

I blinked and said flatly, "Thank you... Doctor."

After hearing that, he paused, then silently packed up his instruments.

From inside the operating room, I could hear voices outside.

I heard Garrett rush over anxiously, asking, "How is she?"

Dad removed his mask, voice weary. "The surgery itself... was successful. But her constitution is too poor. From now on, she'll need constant, careful care."

Garrett murmured, "As long as she's alive... as long as she's alive..."

Garrett suddenly remembered something and turned to my parents. "I'm leaving her to you. Do what you think best."

My parents hadn't had time to respond.

Suddenly I began vomiting blood—great mouthfuls without warning!

The junior nurse assisting nearby panicked and fell to the ground.

She scrambled to the doorway on hands and knees, shouting urgently.

"Doctor! The patient is hemorrhaging post-op!"

"And she seems to have an infection!!!"

As soon as she spoke, Dad panicked. He turned and ran to my side, shouting emergency instructions as he ran.

Garrett's voice also rose sharply with alarm. "What's happening?! She was fine just now?!"

But my pupils continued to dilate.

I heard Garrett trying to burst in but being held back, able only to keep asking what was wrong.

In the chaos, an assistant pushed through with documents.

His voice was hesitant, but he spoke anyway. "Mr. Sawyer, this is the expedited divorce decree confirmation you requested. They said it's been processed according to your instructions..."

"Also, your wife appears to be... pregnant..."