His greatest love.

Chapter 4.

"Good morning," Jason said as he entered the room, flanked by two nurses wheeling in equipment.

"Good morning," Everyone responded in unison.

"I've been instructed by my attending to brief you on the procedure before we move Mr. Lorenzo De Luca to the OR," Jason said, unlocking his tablet and pulling up the surgical overview.

"Where's the doctor?" Liam asked coldly.

"She's in another surgery at the moment," Jason replied evenly.

"But my dad was scheduled for a morning slot," Liam pressed, irritation creeping in. "Why is she not prioritizing him?"

"There was a train accident last night with multiple casualties. Dr. Pierce has been in and out of the OR for hours. Your father's procedure is still on schedule."

"She's pregnant, isn't she?" Gio asked suddenly.

Jason didn't look up. "She can manage."

He launched into the briefing—explaining the surgical plan, risks, and recovery trajectory—while the nurses conducted vitals and began prep. His tone was steady, professional, a quiet contrast to the tension simmering in the room.

An hour later, a nurse stepped in.

"Dr. Malik, OR 2 is prepped. They're ready for the patient."

"Has Dr. Pierce finished her surgery?" Jason asked without looking up.

"She stepped out about forty minutes ago," the nurse replied.

Liam's eyes narrowed. "Then why didn't she come herself?"

Clarita sighed audibly.

Jason's voice remained calm. "Every patient is required to receive a pre-op briefing. This is protocol and she's been in surgery back to back."

"She's also pregnant," Lorenzo added, his voice quiet but firm. "Enough with the antagonism, Liam."

"I'm sorry, Dad," Liam mumbled.

Jason gave a nod. "We're good to proceed."

As they wheeled Lorenzo out, Gio slipped away to the cafeteria to get coffee for his mother—and, more importantly, to cool off.

He was about to head back upstairs when he spotted Detective Santos.

"What the fuck is that bastard doing here??" He said silently as he watched him walk up to the one and only Dr Pierce who was seated.

She looked irritated by his presence despite whatever conversation he was trying to have with her. Considering that this lady was about to perform a delicate surgery on his father and now she was having a conversation with the one man that was set to put him in jail was not sitting right with him. He saw him giving her an envelope before he walked back upstairs.

"What took you so long??" Clarita said taking the coffee from him.

"Santos is here." Gio said silently and Luca and Clarita turned to him.

"I've had it with that man. We should get a restraining order..." Clarita said irritatedly.

"He was talking to Dr Pierce..." Gio said silently.

"I knew something was up with that bitch!! I won't let her have the satisfaction of killing our father!!!" Liam said angrily.

"How many times do I have to warn you about cursing out women?? So what will you do???" Clarita said angrily.

"I will supervise that entire operation!" Liam said angrily.

"We don't own this hospital so you can't do whatever you want. Calm down I don't think she will put her career on the line over some cop!!" Clarita said composing herself.