I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 73

**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday by Asa Rowan Flint**
**Chapter 73**

Marcus’s voice, though measured and deliberate, carried an unmistakable weight of seriousness.

His piercing gaze bore into Sophie, as if he were attempting to penetrate the very essence of her being.

Sophie felt a rush of helplessness wash over her, and she instinctively clenched her fingers, grappling with the turmoil brewing inside her as she sought to find the right words.

In that moment, broad hands settled firmly on her shoulders, compelling her to lock eyes with his deep, mesmerizing orbs.

Marcus leaned in a fraction, lowering his tall stature to her level, a gesture both intimate and commanding.

“Look into my eyes and answer me. Don’t lie,” he urged, his voice weaving a spell that momentarily rendered Sophie unable to resist his command.

“You’re Liora, aren’t you?”

The name hung in the air, a heavy accusation that sent a shiver down her spine.

“L…” Sophie began, her voice wavering, but before she could gather her thoughts, a loud ringtone shattered the fragile tension that enveloped them.

Flustered, she pushed Marcus aside, urgency propelling her as she exclaimed, “I need to take this call.”

Marcus stepped back, allowing her the space to answer the phone, his expression unreadable.

“Mom…” Sophie whispered, her heart constricting painfully as she recognized the tremor in her mother’s voice on the other end.

“Sophie, come home right now!” her mother’s urgent tone was a siren call that sent icy fingers of dread crawling down her spine.

“Mom, what’s going on?” Sophie’s heart raced, panic bubbling beneath the surface.

“Your father had a heart attack and is in the hospital. You need to take the earliest flight back,” her mother’s voice trembled, trying to maintain a facade of calm, but Sophie could hear the underlying current of fear.

“No, no, no… Mom, don’t worry. Dad will be fine. I’m coming right now,” Sophie managed to say, her voice cracking under the weight of her anxiety.

As she hung up, her legs felt like jelly, and she leaned against the wall, fighting the wave of dizziness that threatened to consume her.

Marcus was at her side in an instant. “What’s going on?”

Sophie swallowed hard, trying to suppress the lump that had lodged itself in her throat. “My dad had a heart attack and is in the ICU.”

As she spoke, Sophie fumbled for her phone, determination igniting within her. “I need to book the earliest flight back.”

Though she attempted to mask her fear, Marcus noticed her hands trembling, the subtle shake betraying her composure.

He stepped closer, gently placing his hand over hers, halting her frantic movements. “I’ll send you back on a private plane.”

“Okay, thank you,” Sophie replied, her voice steady but laced with gratitude.

Marcus wasted no time; he immediately dialed his secretary, arranging the flight with an air of efficiency that soothed Sophie’s frayed nerves.

Once the arrangements were made, he turned his attention back to her. “I’ll take you to the airfield.”

“Okay,” she responded, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety wash over her.

Sophie, feeling lost and overwhelmed, fought to keep her composure intact.

Marcus’s gaze fell to her wrist, where the bandage had come undone, revealing bloodstains that had seeped through the fabric.

His expression darkened as he realized the extent to which Sophie was pushing herself, the toll it had taken on her.

“Don’t make your mom worry about someone else too,” Marcus said softly, a hint of concern threading through his words.

Sophie instinctively covered her wrist, feeling a surge of embarrassment. “Is there any more bandage in the car?”

“There is,” Marcus replied, leading her toward the car with an air of quiet determination.

Without a word, she followed him, her mind racing as they climbed into the vehicle.

The driver maneuvered swiftly toward the airfield, the tension thick in the air as they sped along the road.

Inside the car, Marcus took her hand, placing it gently on his leg, a gesture that sent a jolt of surprise through Sophie. She instinctively withdrew her hand, unsure of how to react.

“Are you planning to bandage it yourself?” he asked, his tone softening.

There, she found her mother sitting in the waiting area, looking like a mere shadow of her usual self.

In that instant, her mother, typically so elegant and composed, appeared to have aged a decade, the lines of worry etched deeply into her features.

When her mother saw Sophie, her voice was strained, barely above a whisper. “Sophie, you’re back.”

Sophie quickly took a seat beside her. “Mom, what did the doctors say?”

“They managed to stabilize him for now, but the doctors are too scared to operate. They’re trying everything they can to keep him alive,” her mother replied, her voice cracking with fear as tears glistened in her eyes.

Sophie’s throat tightened, panic clawing at her insides. “Why are they afraid to perform the surgery?”

“The surgery is extremely high-risk. Only Dr. Johnson has performed this surgery before, and I’ve already contacted him. But…”

Before her mother could finish, her phone rang, cutting her off mid-sentence. She answered it quickly, her eyes wide with urgency.

“Did you reach Dr. Johnson? When can he get here?” her mother asked, her voice frantic.

“We’ve contacted Dr. Johnson, but his schedule is full. He can’t make it to Riverland in time,” the voice on the other end replied, each word sending a fresh wave of despair crashing over Sophie’s mother.

Her mother slumped back into her seat, emotions breaking free as she cried out, “How can he not have time? How can he not have time?”

“Mom, I’m sure we can find another solution. Just don’t panic. I’ll think of something,” Sophie reassured her, trying to inject a semblance of hope into the dire situation.

Her mind raced with possibilities. Marcus! He could help; he had the resources!

With trembling hands, she dialed his number, the brief ringing feeling like an eternity as she waited for him to answer.

When the call connected, Marcus’s voice came through immediately, steady and reassuring.

“Don’t worry. Dr. Johnson is already on his way.”

Sophie paused for a moment, her eyes suddenly filling with tears, relief flooding through her.

“Dr. Johnson will need two more hours to arrive in Riverland. I’ve already arranged for a team of heart specialists to be ready. They won’t let your father’s condition worsen in the meantime,” he continued, his tone calm and confident, providing a lifeline in her storm of uncertainty.