As the evening glow faded, the city's neon lights began to brighten. Duncan and I sat in an elegant restaurant, enjoying a fine dinner. The restaurant was filled with a faint fragrance, and soft music echoed in our ears as if the whole world had fallen silent. Duncan was unusually not in formal attire, showing me an extremely private casual side of himself."You've been staring at me," Duncan said without looking at me, focusing on cutting his steak. "If it's to apologize, that's fine, but if there's something else, I don't mind you telling me directly."I took a deep breath, finally made up my mind, and put down my cutlery. "Duncan, I've carefully recalled our interactions."Duncan nodded and put down what he was doing like me. "We've known each other for many years.""Of course, we've had many meals together before, but it was more like... a working meal? I don't know if that description fits.""Because I would only talk to you about my work, and of course, some industry gossip.
Lily kept staring at me, her gaze unfocused, until I sat down beside her and she seemed to regain her composure, offering a weak smile that still looked troubled. "Hailey, actually, I have something I'd like to share with you.""No matter what's happened, you know, I'm here for you."I held her hand.Lily took a deep breath and then slowly said, "Recently, there's a student in my class, Davide Greco. He's Idalian, and his language skills are at a basic communication level, but it's undoubtedly affecting his studies and social life. He's being ostracized, and I'm not sure if bullying is involved. Those kids aren't willing to tell the truth. The result is that Davide has a language barrier issue. He's Nicola's younger brother."I listened to it all and looked at her in surprise. "Nicola? The one you invited to the party last time?"Even mentioning Nicola, Lily showed no sign of excitement. She hung her head, absentmindedly nodding. "Yes, I noticed him at the Open House. Although Nic
At that moment, my mind was preoccupied with something else."Coronary artery bypass grafting?" I echoed, unable to shake off the concern for Giulia. As a physician, I was well aware that this was a complex and high-risk surgery.Nicola nodded in agreement. "Yes, her coronary arteries are severely blocked, and she needs this procedure to restore blood flow to her heart."After speaking, he scratched his head. "That's what the doctor said.""When the coronary arteries are severely blocked in multiple places, coronary artery bypass grafting might be necessary. It involves transplanting a healthy blood vessel to bypass the blockage and restore blood flow to the heart," I explained the entire process.Nicola's eyes widened in surprise, and his gaze toward me was tinged with evident respect."I'm a doctor from the Cardiovascular Surgery Department," I said.Lily added with a hint of pride, "The best one there is."This was a successful home visit. I u
I put down the phone, trying to believe that Ryan just went to the lounge to rest. After all, performing surgery was a big project, and he needed to conserve his energy.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. The bright lights of the hospital and the smell of disinfectant brought back the calmness a doctor should have. I couldn't panic. The relevant doctors and nurses were all making the final preparations for the surgery. Before they got flustered, I had to handle Ryan's disappearance.I headed toward the direction of the lounge, praying silently in my heart. 'God, please let Dr. Ryan just be resting for a while. Tell me that's all it is!'Unfortunately, God seemed too far away. When I pushed open the door to the lounge, the sight that met my eyes made my heart clench. Surgical documents were scattered all over the floor, and there was even blood splattered on the ground. My heart rate spiked, and I could hardly breathe at the sight of it all."Ryan, whe
Due to the delay, things were not as smooth as anticipated. Just before the incision, Edward suddenly went into ventricular fibrillation.I made a decisive call. "Cardiopulmonary resuscitation, prepare for intubation."The sound of the electrocardiogram monitor echoed in the operating room, each person a cog in the process, working in an orderly and precise collaboration."At 20:42, spontaneous circulation resumed after CPR," the nurse exhaled in relief."I need an echo and an EKG!" Just one glance was enough for me to conclude that the situation was very grim. "The overall myocardial condition is very poor. Prepare for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation!"I was racing against the clock as I told the nurse. "Prepare the intra-aortic balloon pump. Where are the cardiologists? Send someone to hurry them up, now!"The situation wasn't good, but I could handle it.It was dilated cardiomyopathy-induced heart failure and myocardial infarction, accompanied
Ethan was on the phone with Matteo, receiving news about Leo and his accomplices, while I was between his thighs, licking his penis.I wanted to do this, ever since I realized my feelings for him and noticed Ethan always playing the role of serving me.Well, I must admit that my intentions to do this were not entirely selfless. I had other plans.In all previous sexual encounters with Ethan, I always climaxed to the point of being dazed, and I vaguely remembered his lust-filled expression was very erotic, but my vision was always blurred. He thrust into me harder and harder, and I suspected he had directly penetrated my womb. This often caused my tears to brim uncontrollably in my eyes, or I was simply tortured by pleasure to the point of rolling my eyes, not being able to see his face clearly.I knelt on the carpet, brushed my long hair to one side, wrapped my tongue around my teeth, and took his not-yet-fully-erect dick entirely into my mouth.As I began to s
I didn't feel the need to elaborate on my family, though I wasn't even sure if what I had could be called a family.To cut to the chase, I wasn't a child born of anticipation. My birth was the result of coercion, violence, despair, and screams.The sole reason my mother didn't abandon me wasn't out of love, but because by the time she became aware of my existence, I had been nestled in her womb for so long that getting rid of me would have caused her irreversible, fatal harm.That was the story of my birth.It was undeniable that, as far back as I could remember, my mother's care for me was genuine. She despised the world that had been so cruel to her, yet her care for me was meticulous.I believed it wasn't maternal love but rather pity that drove her actions."My poor boy, what will you use to combat your father, your tainted bloodline, your unwanted future, and the fate that turns a blind eye and lashes you?"This was the most frequent refrain she used with me.Pity was the
After resting enough, I went to the hospital.I decided to visit the hospital to check on Edward's recovery. His post-surgery condition was good, but he was still in a deep sleep, lying quietly in the ICU. I huddled outside the ICU, watching Edward sleep, feeling a mix of emotions.Tommy stood by my side, softly comforting me. "Hailey, you've done very well. Your grandpa will wake up. You have to believe in him, and believe in yourself."I nodded, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Uncle Tommy. It's just that seeing Grandpa like this always makes me feel upset."Tommy patted my shoulder, encouraging me. "You're a strong girl. Your grandpa would be proud of you. All we can do now is wait."Apart from Edward, another reason I came to the hospital was for Giulia's surgery. Her coronary artery bypass grafting was scheduled, but with Ryan not present, I needed to perform the surgery in his place.I walked toward the operating room, yet outside the door, I saw a shocking figure, the missing