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CHAPTER 1
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2024-12-04 08:34:00“How is he?” Marcus asked, his voice steady, though a hint of unease betrayed the calm exterior he wore.
Deep down, he yearned for a miracle—some reassurance that his father was on the path to recovery, that the man who had once been his guiding light would return to him. His words were weighted with both hope and trepidation, a fragile mix of emotions that only those who loved deeply could understand.
“He’s the same as before,” the doctor replied, his tone measured yet tinged with empathy. The words hung in the air like an unspoken acknowledgment of the battle they both knew too well. As if to soften the blow, the doctor placed a comforting hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “But I still haven’t lost hope,” he added with quiet conviction. The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable—a small flame of optimism burning in a sea of uncertainty.
Marcus exhaled heavily, the sigh carrying the weight of years spent in limbo. His gaze shifted to a figure sitting beneath the sprawling branches of a lush acacia tree, its vibrant green leaves offering a gentle canopy of shade. There sat his father, motionless, staring out into the distance as if lost in a world only he could see.
For Marcus, this man wasn’t just his parent; he was his hero, his anchor in life’s stormy seas. And yet, seeing him now—a mere shadow of the man he had once been—brought a familiar ache to Marcus’s chest, a pain that time had failed to dull. He stood there for a moment longer, silently wishing for a way to bridge the gap between them, to reach the father he so desperately missed.
“I haven’t lost hope either, Dan,” Marcus replied, his voice firm but laced with an underlying vulnerability.
The conviction in his words wasn’t just a reflection of his determination as a son but also his unyielding belief as a doctor. He looked at Dan, the psychiatrist who had stood by his family through the darkest times, observing his father’s condition with unwavering dedication. Marcus appreciated Dan’s quiet strength—it mirrored the kind of hope he clung to himself, even when the odds felt insurmountable.
“Yeah, isn’t that the role of doctors?” Dan said with a wry smile, his tone a blend of encouragement and admiration. “To give hope, to keep families whole and happy, to save them. Especially you, Marcus. You’ve saved so many lives,” he added, pride evident in his voice.
Dan had always respected Marcus, not just for his unmatched skill in the operating room but for the compassion and resilience he brought to every challenge. He knew the weight Marcus carried, balancing the expectations of his profession while shouldering the personal heartbreak of his father’s condition.
Marcus couldn’t help but smile at Dan’s words, though the compliment stirred a bittersweet ache in his chest. Saving others came naturally to him—it was his life’s calling. Yet here, in the presence of his father, he felt powerless, unable to heal the one person who mattered most. He placed a hand on Dan’s shoulder, a silent gesture of gratitude for the psychiatrist’s steadfast support, before turning his attention back to the figure beneath the acacia tree. As he took his first step toward his father, a wave of emotion swept over him—hope mingled with fear, love intertwined with pain. With each step, he steeled himself for the familiar heartbreak that awaited, yet he pressed on, driven by an unspoken promise to never give up.
The man didn’t move, his posture as still as the acacia tree under which he sat. He remained gazing into the distance, his eyes fixed on a horizon only he could see. Marcus intentionally shuffled his feet as he approached, the sound of his footsteps crunching against the dry leaves underfoot. But there was no reaction, no flicker of recognition or shift in his father’s expression. It was as if Marcus wasn’t even there, as if the world beyond his father’s mind had ceased to exist. The silence that followed wasn’t unfamiliar, yet it carried an unbearable weight, pressing down on Marcus’s chest as he halted a few paces away.
A sharp pang sliced through Marcus’s heart, leaving a hollow ache in its wake. The sensation wasn’t new, but its intensity never lessened. He had felt it countless times before—this overwhelming sadness, tinged with helplessness, every time he came here to visit. Each encounter brought him face-to-face with the father he once knew and loved deeply, now reduced to a shell of the man who had once been his greatest inspiration. And though he had braced himself for this pain, it hit him with the same raw force as it had the first time. The heaviness in his chest was a reminder of everything he had lost and everything he couldn’t fix.
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BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 2
If only he could heal this, Marcus thought bitterly. He was a surgeon renowned for his expertise, a man whose hands had performed miracles in operating rooms. His colleagues spoke of him with reverence, marveling at his precision and skill. But none of that mattered here. The wounds he tended in his profession were tangible—visible cuts that could be sutured, broken bones that could be set. The wound inside him, however, was something no scalpel could mend. It was deep and unrelenting, a mix of grief, guilt, and longing that stemmed from memories too painful to dwell on. As much as Marcus wanted to believe that time could heal all wounds, he doubted it could ever touch the one etched in his heart.“Dad?” Marcus’s voice was barely audible, as if even speaking louder would disturb the fragile silence surrounding the man sitting under the acacia tree.His father, unmoving, kept his gaze fixed on some distant point, his expression a blend of detachment and tranquility. The sight tugged pa
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 3
10 YEARS AGO…Marcus barely noticed the late hour as his fingers flew over the keyboard, the words on his screen blurring slightly from the strain of staring too long. His focus was broken by the soft, concerned voice of his mother, Juliana, as she appeared in the kitchen doorway. “Oh, son, aren’t you done yet? Look at the time; you’re still awake.” Her tone was gentle, but there was no missing the worry in her words. He glanced up and met her gaze, feeling an immediate sense of calm wash over him. The warmth of her presence was a quiet, grounding force amidst the chaos of his late-night work session. Juliana’s face, though slightly lined from years of dedication and hard work, was still undeniably beautiful. Her features, which had matured gracefully, carried the kind of strength and resilience that only time and experience could impart. In that moment, Marcus was reminded of how much his mother had endured and how much she had given for him to be where he was today. It wasn’t j
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 4
“Is that so?” she said with a thoughtful nod. “Okay then, I won’t make you coffee. You might have trouble sleeping later.” With a decisive motion, she returned the cup she’d been holding back into the cupboard. Her understanding demeanor reminded Marcus of how supportive his parents had always been, encouraging him to pursue his ambitions without hesitation. His gaze drifted back to his laptop screen as he thought about why he worked so hard. Graduating with a degree in BS Biology was just the first step on a long journey. His goal wasn’t just to finish school—it was to continue to medical school and eventually specialize as a cardiothoracic surgeon. It was a lofty ambition, requiring years of intense study and rigorous training, but Marcus welcomed the challenge. In ten years, he envisioned himself in a bustling hospital, performing life-saving surgeries and making a tangible difference in people’s lives. The thought filled him with purpose, making every late night and sacrifice
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 5
“You don’t need to work while studying, son. Your dad and I have already prepared for this. You can finish med school with the money we’ve saved for you.” Her voice was warm, but there was a clear note of worry underlying her words. Marcus could see the concern etched in her features—she wanted to protect him, to ensure he didn’t burn himself out by taking on too much. But as much as he appreciated their support, he also knew that he wanted to take charge of his own future. Marcus shrugged, his gaze dropping to the last bite of the sandwich on his plate. “Mom, I’ll be okay, I promise,” he said, his tone reassuring but resolute. He could tell that she wasn’t entirely convinced, but he was determined to follow his own path. Finishing the sandwich, he wiped his hands on his napkin and looked back at his mother. Despite her concern, he could feel the pride and love in her eyes. He knew they only wanted what was best for him, but Marcus had always been driven by the need to prove himsel
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-04BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 6
Marcus took the last bite of the sandwich Juliana had lovingly prepared for him. The flavors were simple yet comforting, a testament to his mother’s knack for knowing exactly what he liked. He couldn’t help but smile in satisfaction as he wiped his lips with a napkin. It wasn’t just the taste that brought a sense of warmth to his chest; it was the thought behind the gesture. It was moments like these that reminded him of how much his mother cared for him in the smallest yet most meaningful ways. Across the table, Juliana’s gaze lingered on her son, her eyes shimmering with affection and pride. She watched his every move with an expression that only a mother could wear—a mixture of tenderness, curiosity, and quiet joy. Her smile never wavered, as though she found pure delight in simply being present in this small but intimate moment. For Marcus, this wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. His mother had always looked at him like this, her eyes full of unspoken love and admiration. Ov
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-27BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 7
"Doctor, the patient’s blood pressure is dropping fast—seventy over forty!"The anesthesiologist’s urgent voice echoed through the operating room, slicing through the focused silence that had enveloped the surgical team. The tension in the air was palpable, thick enough to be felt by everyone present. A few beads of sweat formed on the brows of the attending nurses and assistants, but no one hesitated, no one faltered. They were in the middle of a battle against time, and every second counted. But in the midst of it all, Marcus remained composed, his hands steady, his mind razor-sharp. Moments like this were nothing new to him. He had long since become accustomed to the high-stakes, life-or-death scenarios that defined his profession. The intensity of an operating room, the weight of another person’s life resting in his hands—this was his reality. People often likened the work of a surgeon to scenes from a medical drama, the kind that left audiences gripping the edge of their seats.B
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-05BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 8
It was late afternoon, and the soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the large windows of Salvador Montemayor's office, casting a warm, golden hue over the room. Salvador, the former Congressman of the third district of Mercedes, sat at his desk, hands clasped together as he stared out at the peaceful view of the garden outside. Though he had left politics behind years ago, his mind often wandered back to those heady days of power, the speeches, the debates, the promises.At eighty-five years old, he was well aware that time was no longer on his side, yet compared to many people his age, he felt remarkably strong. His body still had some vigor left in it, though his breathing would sometimes betray him—shortness of breath that he attributed to his advancing years. It was nothing to be overly concerned about, he assured himself. Perhaps it was the toll of old age, perhaps it was simply the inevitable decline of his physical form. Still, despite these minor signs of his aging, h
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-06BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 9
Celeste smiled as she placed her phone down, shifting her attention back to the papers in front of her. Ever since she was a child, she had dreamed of owning her own jewelry store. This had always been her passion—something she truly wanted to do. It was far from the course she had initially pursued back in the Philippines—BS Biology. Her father, Ismael, had wanted her to become a doctor. But that was never her dream. She found happiness in designing and sketching jewelry, in expressing her emotions through the delicate details of her creations. "BS Biology," Celeste murmured to herself, a bitter smile forming on her lips. That was the course she had taken when she studied at St. Joseph University, the most prestigious university in the town of Mercedes. She had never understood why her father, Ismael, insisted on enrolling her there, especially when her grandfather, Salvador, was a powerful congressman at the time. With his wealth and influence, he could have easily sent her to t
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-07
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BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 19
“How is he, Doc?” Ismael asked Dr. Dizon, the doctor attending Salvador. His voice carried a mix of concern and urgency as he awaited an update on his father’s condition.The weight of the situation was evident in his furrowed brows and the way he shifted uneasily. Every passing moment felt heavy, knowing that his father remained in critical condition, confined within the cold walls of the ICU. Ismael knew that time was against them, and he was desperate for any sign of improvement or hope that his father would recover. His father had arrived the previous night, and the family had immediately adjusted their arrangements to ensure that Salvador received the best care possible. Celeste had gone home to the mansion to welcome their father, prioritizing his return, while Eva had taken over her role as their grandfather’s watcher at the hospital.They had worked together, ensuring that someone was always by Salvador’s side. Now, as morning broke, Celeste and Ismael left the mansion early,
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 18
Marcus finally had the chance to approach his father before leaving, a moment he had never actively sought but had secretly longed for. For years, he had been content watching from a distance, observing Mario in fleeting glimpses and stolen moments. There was comfort in knowing that his father was improving, that the man who had once been lost in the shadows of his mind was now showing signs of clarity.It had been enough for Marcus to witness this progress without intruding, without forcing a connection that might not be reciprocated. Yet, standing there now, with the opportunity right in front of him, he realized that some part of him had always hoped for a moment like this—to be near his father, to speak to him without the weight of the past overshadowing the present. Inside the room, Mario sat on his bed, resting after the nurse had left him. The door remained slightly open, as if inviting the possibility of a conversation that had been put off for far too long. In the ten years
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 17
PRESENT DAY… Once again, Marcus’s heart was weighed down with the heavy burden of regret and longing, all because of that haunting memory. It was as though his mind could never truly escape it. Each day, no matter how much time had passed, he found himself drawn back to that painful moment, reliving it as though it had only happened yesterday. Even though it had been ten years since that fateful event, it felt as though the wound was still fresh, as if the emotional scars were as raw and tender as they had been in the beginning. Time had done little to ease the pain, and no matter how much he tried to move forward, the shadow of the past lingered over him, like an inescapable cloud.The years may have slipped by, but the suffering he and his family endured during that time was so deep and profound that it seemed to engrain itself into his very being. It wasn’t just the loss of security or comfort, but the violent shattering of a life that once seemed so full of promise and stability.
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 16
Mario sat in the middle of the grand hall, his face calm yet illuminated by the joy of the moment. The room was adorned with elegant decorations, the warm glow of chandeliers casting soft light over the guests who had gathered to celebrate his milestone. Laughter and chatter filled the air, a symphony of voices blending with the soft music playing in the background. Seventy years of life was no small feat, and despite everything, he was grateful to be surrounded by his friends. Yet, beneath the grandeur of the occasion, there were undercurrents of unspoken emotions—memories that lingered in the minds of those closest to him, shaping the way they saw this day. "Sometimes, I can't help but feel bitter," Marcus admitted, his voice tinged with frustration as he let out a deep sigh. His eyes lingered on his father, who sat at the center of it all, a man who had endured and survived much. "If everything hadn't happened, maybe my father's party would be different today… Not like this."He co
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 15
Even though the room was cold, it wasn’t enough to ease the heaviness pressing down on Celeste’s chest. The air carried a stillness so profound that it felt suffocating, wrapping around her like an invisible weight. The silence was deafening, making her acutely aware of every breath she took, every anxious thought racing through her mind. It was as if time itself had slowed, trapping her in this moment of uncertainty. Yet, amidst the quiet, one sound persisted—the steady, rhythmic beeping of the monitor connected to Salvador. It was a fragile melody of life, a mechanical heartbeat that tethered him to the world, and in turn, anchored Celeste to the fragile hope that he would endure. The sound of the monitor was more than just a medical device doing its job; to Celeste, it was a ticking clock, marking each second that her grandfather still clung to life. Every soft beep reassured her that he was still here, still fighting, but at the same time, it served as an ominous warning. If the
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 14
Eva’s voice trembled, laced with sorrow and desperation, as she stood beside Celeste, her frail hands clutching each other tightly. Her eyes, brimming with unshed tears, remained fixed on Salvador’s still figure beyond the glass wall of the ICU. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors and the soft hum of the ventilator were the only signs that life still clung to him, however weakly. Her breath hitched, and she covered her mouth with a trembling hand, as if trying to stifle the sob that threatened to escape. “What are we going to do, hija?” she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper, her gaze pleading for an answer Celeste wasn’t sure she had. Celeste hastily wiped at her cheeks, but the tears refused to stop. The ache in her chest felt unbearable, like an invisible dagger had been thrust into her heart, each pulse of pain a cruel reminder of how fragile Salvador’s life had become. It was a struggle to breathe, to think clearly, to keep herself from completely falling apart. But s
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 13
As soon as the doctor stepped out of the ER, Celeste and Eva surged forward, their voices overlapping in urgency. “Doc!”The weight of their desperation hung heavy in the air, their breaths uneven as they searched the doctor's face for any sign of hope. But instead of reassurance, they were met with a somber expression—one that sent an icy shiver down Celeste’s spine. She tightened her grip on Eva’s hand, her heart hammering inside her chest, as if bracing for a storm she wasn’t prepared to face. The doctor exhaled sharply before delivering the words that made Celeste’s world tilt on its axis. “The patient’s condition isn’t good.”The bluntness of the statement cut through her like a dagger, leaving her momentarily frozen. Her fingers, which had been gripping the fabric of her blouse, suddenly felt numb, her palms growing cold and clammy. A sinking feeling coiled in her stomach, making it hard to breathe. She wanted to scream, to demand an explanation, but the words lodged themselves
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 12
As soon as Celeste stepped out of the van, a rush of emotions surged through her. The long hours of travel, the exhaustion from the flight—all of it melted away the moment her eyes landed on the elderly man standing by the grand house’s entrance. Her heart pounded in her chest, her breath hitching as she took in the sight of him. He looked older than she remembered, his once-strong frame slightly more fragile, his hair grayer. But despite the changes, his presence remained as comforting as ever.Without a second thought, she sprinted toward him, her steps light with anticipation, her voice breaking with emotion as she called out, “Grandpa!” The moment she reached him, Salvador opened his arms wide, catching her in a tight embrace. “Celeste, my granddaughter!” he exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth and relief.His grip was strong, firm, as though he was afraid to let go—as though he was trying to make up for all the years they had spent apart. Celeste buried her face in his should
BENEATH THE SURGEON’S BLADE CHAPTER 11
The air inside the hospital carried a familiar chill, one that Marcus had long grown accustomed to. The sterile scent of antiseptics lingered in the corridors, blending with the faint hum of medical equipment. It was a setting he navigated daily—unfazed by the cold, unaffected by the rigid environment. His white coat, a symbol of his profession and dedication, fit him like second skin as he walked with steady purpose. In his hands, he held a patient’s chart, his sharp eyes scanning the details with quiet focus. He had checked on this patient the previous day, making sure that his recovery was progressing as expected. The man in question was no ordinary patient—he was a well-known businessman, a figure of influence, and someone whose life now rested in the careful balance of medicine and healing. Three days had passed since Marcus had performed a bypass surgery on him, and now, it was time to assess how well his body was responding to the procedure. When he reached Room 307, Marcus pu
