Incision of the Heart ✓

Chapter 34: Numbers, Heartbeats, and Everything In Between

The hospital’s bustling cafeteria was alive with the sounds of clinking trays and soft murmurs as Emily stared blankly at her half-eaten sandwich.

The vibrant hum of energy felt distant, muffled under the weight of one looming thought: the MCAT scores were out.

Her phone sat face down on the table, an unopened email notification glowing against the screen.

She knew Liam had already checked his—it was written all over his infuriatingly calm face as he strolled toward her carrying a cup of coffee.

“You’re going to melt that sandwich with your death glare,” he said, sliding into the seat across from her.

Emily scowled. “How are you this relaxed? Aren’t you even a little nervous?”

“Already checked mine,” he said casually, taking a sip of coffee.

Her eyes widened. “And?”

His lips curved into a smug smile. “You’ll have to check yours first.”

“Liam,” she warned, her heart thudding like a bass drum.

“Emily,” he countered, his tone teasing but his eyes steady. “Come on. You’ve been preparing for this for months. You’re ready.”

Her fingers trembled as she picked up the phone, the weight of his confidence pressing against her self-doubt.

With a deep breath, she opened the email.

The world narrowed to the screen in her hands, every other sound fading into static as her eyes skimmed the words: Thank you for taking the MCAT. Below are your scores.

She read the numbers once, then twice.

“Emily?” Liam leaned forward, his voice cutting through the haze.

“I—” Her voice cracked.

She shoved the phone toward him, her hands too unsteady to hold it.

Liam glanced down at the screen, his grin widening as he read her results. “A 522, Emily. You crushed it!”

She blinked at him, her brain struggling to process his words. “I...what?”

“Your score,” he said, placing the phone gently on the table. “It’s incredible. Top percentile. You did it!”

A laugh bubbled up from her chest, shaky and disbelieving.

Relief surged through her like a wave, followed by the kind of joy that made her want to scream and cry all at once.

“I did it,” she whispered, the words tasting surreal.

Liam stood abruptly, pulling her to her feet before she could protest. “No more sitting around. We’re celebrating.”

“Where are we going?” Emily asked as Liam guided her out of the cafeteria and toward the hospital parking lot.

“You’ll see,” he said, his tone maddeningly cryptic.

“Liam—”

“Trust me, Em. This will be fun.”

His grin was infectious, and despite her protests, she let him lead her to his car.

The drive was filled with his eclectic playlist, a mix of indie and classic rock that made her toes tap against the floorboard.

“Any hints?” she tried again, glancing at him.

“Nope,” he said, eyes on the road but lips twitching with amusement.

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling.