Page 92 of Saving His Heart

“What? I can’t. I don’t have a license, I’m married to the patient, I—”

“We don’t have another choice. There are only two other surgeons in this area that can perform this surgery. One is already in the OR, the other is on vacation in Tahiti.” He hands me a badge. Looking down, I see Dr. Tao. “Put your mask on, and don’t speak until we are in the OR.”

“Dr. Terry, you could lose your own license for this.”

“Are you going to tattle on me, Emory?”

“What? No, of course not.”

“Then let me worry about my career. The most important thing is that we save Preston, and you are the only one capable of helping me. If my career is over for this, then so be it. I’ve had a nice, long one, but I’ve already lost one Westbrook. I’m not willing to lose another. There are not enough good men like them in this world. Now scrub in.”

“Yes, sir.” I chance a peek around the room. Every person there stares at me with hope in their eyes. I don’t make eye contact with any of them again—the pressure threatening to suffocate me. Instead, I quickly cross the room and lay a gentle kiss on Preston’s lips. “I love you.”

Chapter 39

Preston

Fuck. Everything hurts. Where the hell am I?

I try to open my eyes, but they’re glued shut. Air is being forced into my nose, and it’s uncomfortable. The room is cold, and I can smell the underlying scent of rubbing alcohol under the oxygen being forced into my body.

Why is it so damn cold in here?

“I’ll leave when he wakes up, not before.”

“You can’t eat in here, and you haven’t eaten in days, maybe a week, Emory. You need to take care of yourself, or you’ll be of no use to him when he gets home.”

“Oh, he won’t need me when he gets home. He has a large family that will take care of him.”

“Ah, excuse me for asking, but aren’t you his wife?”

“Sort of. It-It’s complicated. Preston needed me—I’m not sure he will still need me when his heart heals.”

What the fuck is she talking about? Sort of my wife? She is my goddamn wife.

The incessant beeping gets faster.

Wake up, asshole. Tell her! Tell her she’s yours forever.

“If I had to guess, I’d say he didn’t like your answer—”

* * *

Beep*Beep*Beep

That goddamn noise. Someone shut it up already.

“He’s doing much better today, Sylvie. I know it’s still hard seeing him like this, but I promise he’s doing better.”

“Dr. Terry told me you’re the reason he’s still alive, you know? When he thought he was going to lose him, you stepped in. You were literally the beat of his heart for a solid minute. You’re amazing, Emory,” my mother’s strangled voice cries. “We all love you so much, Emory. We will always be here for you. Are you sure you have to return to Boston so soon?”

“I have to, Sylvie. I have to face Donny and make him pay for all he’s done.”

No! Not without me!

“I get that, sweet girl. I do, and you’ll have our full support. I just hope Preston wakes up before you have to go.”

“Me too. I’m not sure what changed. Ben said it’s highly unusual for medical ethics reviews to be moved up with such short notice. I’d be nervous if Ashton weren’t so thorough with his investigation.”