Chapter 489

The operating room lights finally dimmed.

Vivian Laurent removed her surgical mask and rubbed her temples wearily. She glanced at the wall clock—it was already half past one in the morning.

"Dr. Laurent, would you like to go home and rest?" a nurse whispered.

Vivian shook her head. "No need. I'll stay in the on-call room tonight."

She had three more surgeries scheduled for tomorrow morning. Going home now would waste precious time.

Her phone vibrated. A message from Ethan Roscente lit up the screen:

"I'm downstairs at the hospital. Brought you some late-night snacks."

Her fingers hovered over the screen for several seconds before she finally replied: "No thanks. I already ate."

His response came quickly: "Then I'll just bring them up and leave."

Vivian took a deep breath and dialed his number directly.

"Ethan, I've made myself clear." Her voice was ice-cold. "Stop coming to see me."

Silence stretched on the other end.

"I just worry about you—"

"Don't." She cut him off. "Don't come tomorrow either. I won't see you."

Ending the call, she leaned against the wall. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she squeezed her eyes shut.

She couldn't afford to soften.

That child was like a thorn forever lodged between her and Ethan.

Ethan stood outside the hospital entrance, the night wind tousling his hair.

He stared at his phone screen for a long moment before finally exhaling in resignation.

When he returned to the villa, the living room lights were still on.

A small figure curled up on the sofa immediately sprang up at the sound of the door opening.

"Uncle Ethan!"

He strode over. "Theo, why aren't you asleep?"

The little boy rubbed his eyes. "I was waiting for you."

Ethan ruffled his hair. "Don't wait up for me. I'm often busy with work."

"Were you seeing Aunt Vivian?" Theo looked up with wide eyes. "Does she...not like me?"

Ethan froze.

"Of course not. She's just...very busy lately."

Theo lowered his head. "I know the truth. Mom used to say Aunt Vivian hated us."

Kneeling to meet the boy's gaze, Ethan said firmly, "Listen—adult relationships are complicated. But Aunt Vivian is a good person. She could never hate you."

"Then what's her name?"

"Vivian Laurent." Ethan's voice softened. "She's an incredible doctor."

Theo blinked. "Uncle Ethan, I'm sorry. It's all because of me—"

"Don't say that." Ethan scooped him up. "Come on, let's get you to bed."

Their elongated shadows stretched down the hallway under the dim lights. Ethan glanced back at the window where the night stretched endlessly beyond.

He knew Vivian was somewhere under that same vast sky—watching, remembering, hurting.