Incision of the Heart ✓

Chapter 27: The Heart's Decision

The following days passed in a haze, a swirl of emotions and unanswered questions.

Emily tried to immerse herself in her work, diving headfirst into shadowing shifts, attending lectures, and poring over cases.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't escape the lingering echoes of that rooftop conversation.

Every step she took seemed to lead her back to Liam.

She would cross paths with him in the hallway or during rounds, and it was as if the very air shifted. That brief, tentative admission between them was like a ghost, haunting her every move.

She couldn't shake it-the weight of what they'd shared, the vulnerability he had shown her, and the feelings she had reluctantly begun to acknowledge within herself.

Emily didn't know if she was ready for this. She had spent years building walls, focusing solely on her career and her ambitions. Letting Liam in, letting anyone in, felt like a risk she wasn't sure she could take.

And yet, when he was near, something inside her stilled.

The chaos of her thoughts quieted, and the unrelenting pressure of her future momentarily faded into the background.

He had become a constant-a steady presence she hadn't realized she needed. But that terrified her too. If she allowed herself to lean on him, to rely on him, what would happen when he wasn't there?

By Thursday morning, the tension had reached a breaking point.

Emily and Liam were assigned to assist Dr. Calloway, the renowned but notoriously strict head of the cardiothoracic department.

His reputation preceded him: he demanded excellence, tolerated no mistakes, and was unflinchingly direct in his feedback.

Emily had heard countless stories from nurses and students alike about his uncompromising standards.

The idea of working under his watchful eye was nerve-wracking enough. Adding Liam to the equation made it nearly unbearable. The thought of being in close proximity to him, their every move scrutinized, made her palms sweat.

Emily arrived early at the operating room, her heart pounding as she donned her surgical scrubs and adjusted her gloves.

The sterile environment, with its bright lights and gleaming instruments, was both intimidating and exhilarating.

This was where she had always dreamed of being, where she would prove herself. But today, her nerves felt sharper than usual.

As she stepped into the room, she immediately felt Liam's presence.

He stood across the room, focused and composed, his jaw set with determination.

Their eyes met briefly, and for a moment, the rest of the room faded away.

She couldn't decipher the look in his eyes-was it regret? Guilt? Or something deeper, something that mirrored the emotions swirling within her?

Dr. Calloway's authoritative voice broke the silence. "We're performing a coronary artery bypass graft today. I expect each of you to assist with the precision and focus this procedure demands. Any questions?"

Emily shook her head. "No, Dr. Calloway. We're ready."

Liam echoed her response, his voice steady. "We've reviewed the procedure thoroughly."

Dr. Calloway regarded them with a critical eye before nodding curtly. "Good. Let's begin."

The room buzzed with the hum of monitors and the soft murmur of the surgical team's preparations.