My BFF Betrayed Me with My Boyfriend! Now Neither of Them Will Leave Me Alone! Chapter 08
The surgery was scheduled for 2 weeks later.
During the preoperative conference, Evan requested to join the surgical team after all.
Peter sensed the strange tension between us and hesitated before speaking.
“Evan may be young, but he has plenty of experience. Having him assist you would be ideal. It’s just that the 2 of you…”
I gave him a small smile and nodded.
“It’s fine. Once we enter the operating room, we’re only doctors.”
I knew Evan’s abilities better than anyone.
Whatever else he had done, he was an exceptional doctor and one of the few people I had genuinely admired over the years.
On the day of the surgery, I took a deep breath as the operating lights came on.
The exposed diseased vessel filled my field of vision.
The steady beeping of the monitor sounded especially clear in the silent operating room.
Evan stood across from me with only his eyes visible above his mask.
He gave me an almost imperceptible nod.
“Hemostat.”
—
I had barely finished speaking when Evan placed the hemostat in my hand.
I froze for nearly 1 second.
The exchange was far too practiced.
Years of working together had made our coordination instinctive.
For that brief moment, we were still the perfectly matched partners and lovers we had once been.
It was as if nothing from 3 years ago had ever happened.
But it was only an illusion.
For 10 hours, there was no personal conversation at the operating table.
There was only precise, efficient teamwork, the sound of instruments, the beeping monitors, and our quiet instructions to each other.
10 hours later, the vascular graft had been sutured into place.
The moment the stopped heart began beating again, a muted cheer swept through the operating room.
I put down my instruments.
My right hand trembled involuntarily.
“I’ll finish up. You should rest.”
Evan stepped forward and took the needle holder from my hand.
I moved half a step back and leaned against the operating table.
—
watching him close the sternum one stitch at a time.
He worked carefully, each suture neat and even.
He looked exactly like the boy who had once competed with me in class.
And yet, somehow, he didn’t.
The operating room lights dimmed.
Simon immediately stood when the doors opened.
I removed my mask.
My face was pale as I smiled at him.
“The surgery was successful. Tonight is critical. We’ll know more tomorrow.”
He froze for a moment before visibly relaxing.
Then he looked at me earnestly.
“Dr. Ellis, thank you.”
Simon suddenly pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket.
“You don’t look well. You must be exhausted. Eat some chocolate before your blood sugar drops.”
My vision was already beginning to darken around the edges.
I smiled, accepted the chocolate, and took a bite.
It tasted bitter at first.
—
Then the sweetness spread across my tongue.
When I turned around, I saw Evan standing frozen in place.
His palm was open.
A slightly melted, misshapen caramel chew rested in it.
Evan’s face was pale.
His voice sounded hoarse and choked with emotion.
“Athena, that was the first surgery in 3 years where I felt completely at ease.”
“For the past 10 hours, I kept thinking about one thing.”
“I could’ve had a partner who shared my goals. We could’ve stood side by side and reached the top of this field together.”
He suddenly looked up at the ceiling, refusing to let me see his reddened eyes.
“I was the one who lost it all.”