Incision of the Heart

Chapter 12: Shadows of Vulnerability

Emily stood outside the cardiothoracic unit, her reflection wavering in the glass doors.

The day’s cases had been grueling, and Dr. Patel had made a point of pushing everyone harder than usual.

Now, as the sun dipped below the horizon, she wrestled with the growing realization that her perception of Liam was changing.

“Emily, you coming?”

Sophia’s voice startled her from her thoughts.

“Yeah, just—give me a minute,” she replied.

Sophia shrugged and walked off, leaving Emily alone.

She took a deep breath and stepped into the unit, where the rhythmic beeps of monitors filled the quiet halls.

Tonight’s shadowing would involve observing a complex bypass surgery.

A privilege, but also another opportunity for Liam to steal the spotlight.

---

The patient was a middle-aged man, Mr. Guerrero, whose triple bypass surgery was slated to begin shortly.

Emily found herself standing next to Liam at the observation deck, their eyes locked on the preparation below.

“You look nervous,” Liam said, breaking the silence.

“I’m fine,” she replied curtly, adjusting her posture.

Liam smirked. “I’m just saying, it’s okay to admit when you’re out of your depth. This isn’t exactly textbook material.”

Emily shot him a glare but didn’t respond.

She refused to let him rattle her.

The surgical team entered, and the atmosphere shifted.

Dr. Patel narrated each step of the procedure as the surgeon made the initial incision.

Emily’s focus sharpened, her pen flying across her notebook.

---

Halfway through the surgery, Dr. Patel turned to the group. “Carter, explain the indications for choosing a triple bypass over angioplasty in this case.”

Emily took a deep breath, outlining the patient’s multi-vessel disease, the location of the blockages, and the need for a durable solution given his comorbidities.

She spoke with confidence, her voice steady despite the pressure.

“Impressive,” Dr. Patel said, nodding.

Liam chimed in. “And adding to that, the patient’s reduced ejection fraction would have made angioplasty riskier.”

Dr. Patel’s gaze shifted to Liam, his expression approving. “Good point, Grant. Both of you did your homework.”

Emily bit back a sigh.

Of course, Liam had to add to her answer, but she couldn’t deny that his input was valid.

---

After the surgery, the group dispersed, leaving Emily and Liam lingering in the hallway.

She leaned against the wall, her exhaustion catching up to her.

“You were good in there,” Liam said, his tone unusually sincere.

Emily blinked, caught off guard. “Thanks. So were you.”

He hesitated, then added, “You know, I wasn’t trying to upstage you. It’s just—when I see something I can add, I say it.”

Emily studied him, unsure if he was being genuine or just fishing for praise. “You always have to be the best, don’t you?”

Liam chuckled. “Coming from you, that’s rich. But maybe we’re not so different after all.”

Emily looked away, uncomfortable with the idea. “Don’t get ahead of yourself, Grant.”

---

As they walked toward the elevators, Liam surprised her by asking, “Why medicine? Why put yourself through all this?”

Emily hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. “It’s what I’ve always wanted. My mom’s a nurse, and I grew up seeing how much of a difference she made. I guess I wanted to do the same but on a bigger scale.”

Liam nodded, his expression thoughtful. “My parents are lawyers. They weren’t exactly thrilled when I chose medicine.”

“What changed their minds?”

“They haven’t, really,” he admitted. “But my brother—he was born with a heart defect. Watching the surgeons who operated on him—that’s what inspired me. I knew then that this was what I wanted to do.”

Emily glanced at him, surprised by the vulnerability in his voice.

For a moment, he seemed less like her arrogant rival and more like someone driven by a genuine passion.

---

Later that night, Emily sat in her dorm, replaying the conversation in her mind.

Liam’s confession about his brother had shaken her, adding depth to a person she’d spent years trying to outshine.

Why did it matter? she asked herself. He’s still the competition.

But as she stared at her notes, the rivalry that once defined their relationship felt less clear.

Liam, meanwhile, sat in his dorm, his mind equally restless.

For years, he’d thrived on being the best, but Emily’s tenacity had always pushed him harder.

Now, her dedication and empathy were starting to affect him in ways he hadn’t expected.

---

The next day, the tension between them felt different—not the sharp-edged rivalry of before, but something softer, more uncertain.

As they worked alongside each other, their conversations became less guarded, their banter laced with a strange new warmth.

Neither of them was ready to admit it, but the lines between them were beginning to blur.