Fifty-eight

The surgery lasted for a grueling ten hours, causing growing anxiety among the family members as doctors and nurses hurried in and out of the operating theater.

The surgeon called it an exploratory laparotomy.

Ivy had arrived hours earlier, acting sympathetic and maintaining a friendly facade. However, Angela wasn't deceived by her act in the slightest. She couldn't believe she had once fallen for Ivy's pretense. Now, knowing that Ivy might be connected to Tristan's situation only made Angela more irritable in her presence.

She avoided Ivy as if she were a contagion while they all awaited news from the surgeons. Despite Ivy's attempts to strike up conversations, Angela ignored her subtly, trying not to arouse suspicion from Tristan's family. She planned to confront Ivy later when they had privacy.

Travis paced around, made numerous phone calls, grumbled about being stuck at the hospital despite important work at the office. Marie sobbed, mumbling to herself, likely in prayer. Taylor