Incision of the Heart ✓

Chapter 4: Unlikely Alliances

The days blurred into one another as Emily and Liam continued their shadowing experience at Johns Hopkins.

The hospital buzzed with activity, its walls echoing with the sounds of hurried footsteps, urgent calls, and the soft beeping of medical machines.

Despite her growing resentment toward Liam, Emily had no choice but to acknowledge that the hospital was a place of learning, not just competition.

Every experience, whether involving him or not, was a lesson she needed to absorb.

The previous night had been sleepless for Emily.

She had spent hours reviewing case files, ensuring she was prepared for the day’s surgery.

Still, she couldn’t help but feel distracted, perpetually comparing herself to Liam—how effortlessly he moved through these halls, how everyone seemed to gravitate toward him.

It was as though he was the sun and everyone else orbited around him, particularly Dr. Reynolds, who seemed to have a soft spot for Liam.

Meanwhile, Liam didn’t appear affected by the intensity of the program.

If anything, he thrived under pressure.

But Emily’s determination not to fall behind drove her forward, even if it meant pushing herself to her limits.

Today marked another day in the OR, where both Emily and Liam had been assigned to a delicate procedure—a double bypass surgery for an elderly man with severe coronary artery disease.

The air was thick with tension as they scrubbed in, the gravity of the surgery settling in.

The team buzzed with urgency, moving swiftly to prepare the patient.

As they entered the OR, Emily couldn’t help but glance at Liam.

He was already at his station, focused, his sharp eyes scanning the patient’s charts and monitors.

There were no signs of nerves, no hesitation in his movements.

It was as though he had been doing this for years.

Emily took a deep breath, gathering herself.

She had a role to play here, and she was determined to perform it well.

Dr. Reynolds gave them their instructions, and soon, they were immersed in the surgery, surrounded by the sterile cold of the operating room and the rhythmic hum of medical equipment.

Emily focused intently, her movements sharp and deliberate, driven by her determination.

Liam stood beside her, just inches away.

Every movement he made was deliberate and calculated, his confidence unwavering.

He passed instruments with ease, each motion precise.

The stark contrast between his calm presence and the frenetic energy of the surgery caused Emily’s anxiety to rise, but she forced herself to focus.

It wasn’t until an unexpected complication arose—an artery became unexpectedly blocked—that the calm façade cracked.

Dr. Reynolds’s voice remained steady as he directed the team, but Emily noticed the slight crease of concern on his face.

She watched Liam closely, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

The tension in the room grew thicker as the surgeon’s hands moved faster, attempting to clear the blockage.

“Dr. Reynolds,” Emily spoke up, surprising herself. Her voice was steady, but her heart pounded in her chest. “Should we try using the balloon catheter to push the clot through the artery? It might buy us some time until we can fix the blockage more permanently.”