Chapter 12
Marc's eyes were heavy with guilt.
Dr. Moore showing up in Ozreka so suddenly had completely thrown off their plans.
"It's alright," Marissa said calmly, showing no sign of frustration.
Her understanding only made Marc feel worse, but with Theodore present, he coudn't explain the entire situation to her.
Inwardly, he resolved that the banquet absolutely could not be canceled.
Inside the VIP ward of Harmony Hospital, their father,Rayden Curtis, lay unconscious on the bed. His eyes were closed, his face pale, and his cheeks hollowed.
The Curtis and Brooks families had successfully kept the Curtis couple's car accident a secret, ensuring no news reached the outside world.
When Marissa and Marc, with Theodore at their side,opened the hospital room door, only Corrine and Danny were present. Andrew and the others were nowhere in siqht.
Corrine rested her face gently against Rayden's fragile hand.Hearing them enter, she lifted her head, brushed away tears, and called softly to Marissa, "Come here,Marissa."
Marissa's gaze lingered on Rayden's face. While her brothers had clearly inherited Corrine's elegance,Marissa bore a perfect resemblance to Rayden,carrying the same refined, understated beauty.
She quietly stepped closer to Corrine. Perhaps it was the bond of blood; looking down at Rayden's pale,lifeless face, she felt a slow, hollow ache stir in her heart.
The treatment she had refused last time... had been for her own father.
Half a month ago, Marissa had still been researching Bryson's medication. When Garry called to ask her to treat a patient, she dismissed him outright.
"Marissa," Corrine murmured, holding her daughter's hand. "This...this is your father."
Marissa opened her mouth, but no words came. She turned her face away, noting the absence of Danny and Marc, who should have been in the room, while Theodore remained present.
"Don't be upset with your father, Marissa.If he weren't in a coma, he would have been there to bring you home
himself." Corrine's mind was scattered, and though her words tumbled out continuously, she barely noticed.
"I know. You're tired. Rest now," Marissa said, noticing her mother's restless state.
She carefully helped Corrine onto the companion bed and,with a discreet motion hidden beneath her suit jacket, applied pressure to a point on the back of her neck. Immediately, Corrine stopped murmuring and slipped into a deep,peaceful sleep.
Theodore,not watching closely, didn't notice a thing.
Just then, a polite knock came at the door.
Theodore, being the closest, took two long strides and opened it.
Standing outside was a young doctor in a crisp white coat, accompanied by a nurse.
"Are you part of Mr. Curtis's family?" the doctor asked,looking at Theodore.
"They're inside," Theodore replied calmly, gesturing for the doctor and nurse to enter.
With Marissa present, he made no move to overstep or interfere.
Marissa, watching Theodore closely, raised an eyebrow. Seeing him leave the conversation with the
doctor to her made her roll her eyes.
After all, she had just returned to the Curtis family today; how could she have known about Rayden's condition?
The young doctor snapped the medical record shut,his face tense, eyes flashing with barely contained anger. "As a doctor, I can't comprehend your thinking.Mr. Curtis is in critical condition, and transferring him now could be life-threatening! In Ozreka, which hospital has better equipment than Harmony? If this hospital wasn't good enough, then why was it your family's choice in the first place? Dr. Wallace is arriving this afternoon to perform the surgery himself. His skills are legendary, and there has never been a single post-op complication under his care, We aren't forcing anyone to stay here, but as medical professionals, we must act responsibly. Considering Mr. Curtis's current condition, he needs a surgeon of Dr. Wallace's caliber.When he arrived, he was at death's door, and it was only because of Dr. Wallace's timely intervention that he survived..."
"Could you please quiet down?" Marissa interrupted smoothly, her eyes fixed on the young doctor's refined features. "I can tell you're a fan of Dr. Wallace. We don't need to hear aboutit."
The young doctor froze, caught off guard by her words. His argument died on his lips as he tried to
respond
"Are your checks complete?" Marissa asked, her gaze steady and probing as she noticed him lingering.
The young doctor nodded almost automatically and left the room with the nurse. Pausing at the door, his mind buzzed with questions. He wondered why he had left so obediently.
"Dr.Mitchell?" the nurse prompted gently.
Hayes Mitchell suddenly asked, "How did I do just now? If Dr. Wallace finds out, will it make an impression on him?"
The nurse shot him an awkward look and said nothing Meanwhile, inside the room, Marissa's phone rang again,
Theodore looked at her, his eyes tracing the soft curls by her ear. "Go ahead, answer it. I'll take care of things here,"he said.
"Thank you," Marissa replied smoothly, stepping out to pick up the call.
As the door began to close, Theodore caught the shift in her voice, and it sounded different from before.
"Miss me, honey?" he heard her say, and his eyes narrowed.
Recommended for you