Chapter 707

Vivian Laurent whispered softly, "Theo is strong. He'll pull through. I'll use everything I've learned to save him."

Ethan Roscente's fingers tightened around Vivian's wrist, his knuckles turning white. "Vivian..."

She suddenly leaned in and embraced him. "When I come out of that operating room, I'll return Theo to you safe and sound."

The hug lasted only a moment before she turned and strode toward the OR.

As the assisting surgeon, Vivian had already coordinated with the lead physician. But she had just completed three complex surgeries back-to-back without a moment's rest.

Theo's vitals were crashing rapidly. Each stab wound was life-threatening—the deepest had pierced his heart, another had punctured a kidney, and the rest had struck other vital organs.

The kidney damage was especially severe. A transplant might be necessary.

...

Outside the OR, Ethan made a call, his voice icy. "Detain Sophia Evans immediately."

He never imagined Sophia could sink to such depravity. That was her own child—how could she do this?

If Sophia stood before him now, Ethan wouldn't hesitate to snap her neck.

Pacing the hallway, each second was agony. He silently prayed: Big brother, watch over Theo.

This was all his fault. He never should have brought Theo back. Never should have let mother and son reunite.

Inside the OR, Theo's condition was worse than anticipated.

His heartbeat was so faint it nearly flatlined. Time was running out. The heart needed repair, and the kidney required replacement.

Vivian immediately initiated a donor match search. But the cardiac procedure was too high-risk for the on-call surgeon to attempt.

"I'll do it," Vivian stated firmly.

"Dr. Laurent, you've already worked eighteen hours straight—"

"This isn't the time for that debate!" She snapped on gloves. "If I can't handle it, you'll take over."

The hospital had precedent for marathon surgeries. But Vivian's previous procedures had been precision operations—mentally exhausting work.

The surgeon yielded the table. Examining the wounds, Vivian found the blade had missed Theo's heart by millimeters. Another fraction of an inch, and he would have died instantly.

The surgery progressed. Other doctors watched breathlessly as Vivian worked with masterful precision none could match.

Her suturing was flawless. Years of experience allowed her to stitch blindfolded with perfect accuracy.

The cardiac procedure consumed precious time. More troubling—the kidney was severely damaged, yet no matching donor could be found.