She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 13

Chapter 13 Showing Her Skills

At 11:45 a.m., Celia drove out of the old house when her phone rang.

She checked the screen. It was Matteo Dillon from Valley Hospital, calling from his private number.

“Hello, Mr. Dillon,” Celia answered the call.

“Dr. Ross, sorry to bother you suddenly.” Matteo sounded urgent. “Are you in Silvergate now? I have an emergency case and need your help.”

Celia’s expression turned serious. “What’s the situation?”

“An eighty-three-year-old man suffered a sudden massive anterior wall heart attack with cardiogenic shock. He is on ECMO, but his condition keeps worsening,” Matteo spoke quickly.

“The patient is Camren Perry from Brighton, head of the Perry family. His family wants the best specialist, and I thought of you.”

Celia remembered the international cardiology summit in West Hollow, Aegis three years ago. She attended anonymously under the code name Dr. Rose and presented a report on emergency treatment for high-risk elderly heart attack patients.

After the summit, Matteo approached her for her contact, saying he wanted to consult her on difficult cases.

“Where is the patient?” Celia asked.

“He’s in the ICU, Valley Hospital. Dr. Ross, I know this is a big request, but the patient is in real danger. Mr. Perry is a respected man who did much for the country in his younger years.”

“I will be there in fifteen minutes,” Celia interrupted him. “Gather the cardiothoracic surgery team, anesthesiology team, and ICU staff for a meeting. Have all test results ready.”

“Thank you, Dr. Ross.” Matteo’s voice relaxed.

Celia hung up, turned her car around, and called Emily.

The phone rang several times before Emily picked up.

“Celia, where are you?” Emily’s voice carried annoyance. “We’re all waiting for you. Laylah and her family are here, too.”

“Sorry, Emily.” Celia kept her voice calm. “Something urgent came up. I cannot make it for lunch.”

“What?” Emily’s voice rose. “Say that again. I told you Laylah’s whole family is here, and you will not come?”

“It is an emergency. A person’s life is at stake,” Celia explained. “An older family friend is in critical condition. I need to go to the hospital.”

“Older family friend?” Emily laughed coldly. “What friend matters more than your own family? Celia, do not make excuses. You just do not want to see Laylah.”

“Emily, that is not true. The situation is very serious.”

“Celia.” Emily’s voice turned sharp. “I’m telling you now. If you do not come today, do not bother coming back. Laylah is here with her son. Beckham needs to give her an answer. As Mrs. Lucero, you cannot even show up for this?”

Celia took a deep breath. “I am sorry, Emily. This person’s life matters more. I will come and apologize another day.”

She hung up and put her phone on mute.

*****

In the living room of the Lucero Residence, Emily slammed the phone down, shaking with anger.

“What is wrong, Mrs. Lucero?” Aiyana asked, feigning concern.

“Celia said she was not coming.” Emily’s face darkened. “She claims some older family friend is sick and she has to go to the hospital. I think she tries to embarrass me.”

Beckham frowned, “Mom, if someone truly is sick…”

“What older family friend?” Emily glared at him. “I heard nothing about Seamus being sick. She does not want a divorce, so she makes excuses to stall.”

Laylah held Ricardo and spoke softly, “Mrs. Lucero, do not be angry. Maybe Ms. Ross really has something to attend to.”

“What could she possibly have to attend to?” Emily grew more upset. “I told her we’re having lunch to talk about the divorce, but she won’t show up. She’s disrespecting me. Maybe she doesn’t want to divorce.”

She turned to Beckham, her voice sharp. “Beckham, look at her. This is the wife your grandpa chose for you. She has no manners. The whole family waits for her, and she bails.”

Beckham rubbed his forehead. “Mom, if someone truly is dying, Celia should help.”

“Help with what?” Emily grew angrier. “She runs a flower shop. She cannot help with anything. She’s just making excuses. Laylah waited three years and came back with a child. Shouldn’t Celia step aside on her own?”

Aiyana covered her mouth and laughed. “Mrs. Lucero, don’t get so worked up. She’s just ungrateful. You’ve been kind to her, and she doesn’t appreciate it.”

Emily looked down at Ricardo in her arms, her face softening. She played with the child. “Ricardo, say Grandma.”

Ricardo opened his big eyes and said in a baby voice, “Grandma.”

Emily’s heart softened. She kissed the child and said to Laylah, “Laylah, you and Ricardo are the ones who care. Celia is so ungrateful.”

*****

In Valley Hospital, Celia parked in front of the emergency room entrance and ran inside.

“Hey, you cannot park here.” A security guard chased after her.

“Emergency. Saving a life.” Celia did not look back. “Here are my keys. Park it for me.”

She tossed the keys over her shoulder. The guard caught them and stood confused.

On the ICU floor, Matteo waited by the elevator. He lit up when he saw Celia and walked over quickly. “Dr. Ross, you’re here.”

“Talk while we walk.” Celia did not slow down.

They hurried to the ICU. Matteo briefed her quickly. “Mr. Perry had chest pain two hours ago. He was unconscious when brought in.

“The EKG showed a massive anterior wall heart attack. The angiogram found severe narrowing in the left main artery and full blockage in the right artery. We put him on ECMO, but his blood pressure will not stabilize.”

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