years and a half, but his face was etched

, but the moment he saw her, his eyebrows knit together in recognition. It dawned o

She had dismissed those guys just because

ed his mind, Johnny's ey

orum." His tone was as cold as the winter wind as

delivering a stinging slap to his face. The sharp c

t, her voice trembling

usel out of control. The alcohol hit her full force,

he hit the floor. "Hey, wake up," he urged, shaking her gently, but Elia

r, speechless, as if the wind

l nearly sprayed his drink across the

do to her?" Carl had seen her earlier, the woman who had taken down several

onfusion etched on his face as he ca

e, she felt as though her head wa

alizing she was alone in the room, cove

ed in her mind-had she really seen Jo

ight. He was suppo

ver it was hadn't retaliated, which struck her as oddly dece

er thoughts. It was a call from Stefan Boyd. Stefan had been an older schoolmate

answered, her voice s

re planning to return to work," Stefan

ied, surprised that word

girl involved in a severe car accident. None of us have been a

responded, the urgency in his

change out of yesterday's

yes darting over the critical details. But traffic was a nightmare, and with every sec

st. "We can't wait any longer," he said, resignation heavy i

amily," Stefan instructed one

y family-they hold enormous sway. This is their only daughter. If we tell them

n replied solemnly. "But we have t

and went out to deliver the hea

everything we could," o

oice trembling as she pleaded, "No, please! I'll pay anything-

Her heart was nearly punctured, and the injuries to her head and legs are severe. Even

the words sank in, but her husband

ight..." Leah whispered, refus

ith authority, cutting through the

ized the voice. "You're finally here," he sai

nding the room. "Get everything ready," s

his face. "Her heart is barely bea

he shot back, her resolve unshaken

still clinging to her clothes. The mask covered her face, bu

of doctor are you? You look like you're barely out of school! And is

b. Now move, or your daughter's life might slip through your

he task at hand. The patient's condition was dire, but Eliana moved with t

held a scalpel, yet the movements felt in

yes wide with astonishment. "She's... inc

eart... beating again? Did

their breath. Finally, Stefan exhaled, relief flooding

g her sudden marriage and vowing never to perform surgery again. E