Chapter 6 - The Emergency at St. Jude's
At 5:30 AM, the world was still bathed in the deep navy hues of predawn light.
A private ambulance escorted by two of Adrian’s security vehicles arrived at Mercer Hall to take me to St. Jude’s Hospital.
Adrian walked beside my stretcher through the VIP entrance of the surgical wing, his hand tightly holding mine. He hadn't slept a single minute. He wore a crisp dark suit, his jaw set in a line of tense worry.
Inside the surgical prep room, Dr. Chen—a world-renowned transplant specialist—was going over the final charts with his team.
“Everything looks perfect, Ms. Davis,” Dr. Chen reassured me with a warm smile. “Your vitals are excellent. Lily is already being prepared in Operating Room 3.”
I looked up at Adrian, who was standing beside my bed, refusing to let go of my hand.
“You need to go sit in the waiting room,” I whispered, smiling nervously through my hospital mask. “Ethan will be waking up soon.”
“Marcus is with Ethan,” Adrian said firmly. “I’m not leaving this floor until Dr. Chen comes out and tells me you’re awake.”
He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I love you, Claire.”
The words echoed in my chest like a clear, beautiful bell. He had never said them out loud until this moment.
“I love you too, Adrian,” I whispered back.
The anesthesiologist stepped forward, placing a mask over my face. “Count down from ten for me, Claire...”
Ten... nine... eight...
The world faded into a soft, warm darkness.
Four hours later.
I woke to the rhythmic, rhythmic beep... beep... beep of a heart monitor.
My abdomen felt heavy and sore, a sharp dull ache radiating across my left side, but my mind was clear.
I opened my eyes. The private recovery room was bathed in soft morning sunlight.
Sitting in a chair right beside my bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his face buried in his hands, was Adrian.
“Adrian?” my voice came out as a weak, dry rasp.
He snapped his head up instantly. The relief that washed across his face was overwhelming. He stood up, leaning over the bed, carefully taking my hand and pressing it against his cheek.
“Claire,” he breathed out, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you, God... you’re awake.”
“Lily?” I asked frantically, trying to sit up. “Is she okay? Did the transplant work?”
“Hey, slow down,” Adrian gently pushed me back onto the pillows. “Lily is fine. The kidney started working immediately. Dr. Chen said it was a complete success. She’s sleeping in the room next door.”
I let out a long, ragged breath, tears streaming down my cheeks. My sister was going to live. The two-year nightmare was finally over.
Before I could say anything else, the door to the recovery room burst open.
Marcus stepped inside, his face pale, covered in sweat, a bloodied bandage wrapped around his arm.
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Adrian turned around, his eyes instantly narrowing into dangerous slits. “Marcus? What happened? Why aren't you with Ethan?”
“Boss...” Marcus choked out, his voice trembling with rare, terrifying panic. “Russo’s men... they ambushed the transport near the estate gate. They took Ethan.”
