She Was Never Just the Wife novel Chapter 14

12:55 Sat, May 9 MMO

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

58

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At 9:30 PM, inside the temporary office at Valley Hospital, Celia sat at her desk. finished the last patient chart, set down her pen, and rubbed her aching temples.

The exhaustion from the surgery finally hit her. Six hours of non-stop focus, every second a race against death. Now that she’d allowed herself to ease up, her body was making its complaints known.

Her phone screen glowed on the desk with a dozen missed calls, all from Beckham.

Starting at 3 PM, one every half hour. The last unread message was from ten minutes ago: [Celia, pick up. We need to talk.]

Celia looked at the screen, her expression calm. She didn’t call back or text back. She just switched the phone to vibrate and slipped it into her pocket.

Outside, the night had settled deep. From the hospital hallway came the occasional rumble of a cart and the low murmur of nurses.

Celia stood up, walked to the window, and looked out at the city lights. She’d be saying goodbye soon to the city she’d call home for three years.

If it hadn’t been for the emergency surgery that came in today, she might have already been gone.

But she had taken the case, and she would see it through. Camren needed at least 72 hours of monitoring. She wouldn’t leave until he was out of danger. That was just basic medical ethics.

A knock at the door.

“Come in,” Celia said.

Matteo stepped inside, a thankful smile on his face. “Dr. Ross, you are still here? You must be exhausted. Thank you for today.”

“It is my job.” Celia turned from the window. “How is Mr. Perry?”

“Very stable.” Matteo let out a breath. “Dr. Ross, you saved a life today. Before the surgery, I had no confidence at all. With Mr. Perry’s condition, honestly, I thought there was no hope.”

“It was a team effort,” Celia said. “Mr. Chaney’s technique was solid. And Anesthesia was spot on.”

“You’re being modest.” Matteo studied her, curiosity in his eyes. “Dr. Ross, I’ve been wanting to ask you something. Three years ago in West Hollow, why did you stay anonymous?

“With your level of skill, you could’ve made a name for yourself on the international stage.”

Celia smiled. “Mr. Dillon, medicine is about saving lives, not chasing fame.”

“Fair enough. He nodded. “By the way, the whole surgical team is asking who you are. Especially Mr. Chaney. He said he’s been practicing for 30 years and has never seen such a young doctor with that kind of

talent.”

“What did you tell them?”

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Chapter 14

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“I said you’re a specially contracted consultant with our hospital, and your identity isn’t public for now.” Matteo smiled. “They are curious, but they understand. Some experts prefer to keep a low profile.”

Celia nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Dillon.”

“I should be thanking you.” His tone turned serious ‘Dr. Ross, if you ever need anything, just let me know. If it’s within my power. I’ll make it happen.”

They talked a bit more about the patient’s condition before Matteo left.

Celia sat back down at the desk. her brow furrowing slightly as she looked at Camren’s chart on the computer screen. It was hard to believe that an 83-year-old with such severe heart disease had shown no warning signs before today.

She pulled up Camren’s past physical exams and started going through them page by page.

Meanwhile, outside the ICU, Elliott stood at the glass window, watching his grandfather inside the room.

Camren was still unconscious, but the numbers on the monitors were steady, and his complexion looked much better than before the surgery.

“Mr. Perry,” his assistant Owen Carlson said quietly. “Mr. Dillon said the surgery was a success. Mr. Camren Perry should wake up soon.”

Elliott nodded, but his gaze stayed on the small office across the way. The light was still on. “Is that Dr. Ross… still in the building?”

“Yes,” Owen said. “Mr. Dillon said she will monitor Mr. Camren Perry personally until he is out of danger.”

“Look into her background.” Elliott said. “And prepare a generous gift. Once my grandfather wakes up, I want to thank her in person.”

Owen hesitated. “Mr. Perry, Mr. Dillon said Dr. Ross prefers to keep a low profile. She might not want to…”

“Then donate medical equipment in the hospital’s name.” Elliott cut him off. “Either way, I’m repaying this favor.

“Understood.”

Elliott took one last look at that office, then turned and walked away.

At that moment, he had no idea that the “Dr. Ross” who had just saved his grandfather was the same woman who had left a lasting impression on him three years ago in Redhaven, and the very “Dr. Rose” he had been searching for recently.

Back at the Lucero Residence, Laylah and her family had already left. Emily sat on the living room sofa, her expression still sour.

Beckham came in and handed his coat to a housekeeper.

Where did you go?” Emily asked.

12:55 Sat, May 9 MMD

Chapter 14

5 vouchers

“To the hospital, Beckham said, sitting down on the couch and rubbing his brow. “I wanted to check on that friend Celia mentioned.”

“Did you find her?”

“No,” Beckham said. “The hospital said no car accident patient named Haley Dalton was brought in this afternoon.

Emily let out a cold laugh. “I told you she was making excuses. Beckham, look at the woman you are defending. Just to avoid seeing Laylah, she’d lie like that.”

Beckham said nothing. He hadn’t found Haley, but the hospital staff did say there had been an emergency surgery that afternoon. They had brought in an outside specialist. As for who it was, they didn’t know.

“Beckham,” Emily looked at him. “what are you thinking? Laylah came back with the child. You have to give her an answer. Ricardo is your son. You can’t let him grow up as a bastard.”

“I know.” Beckham’s voice was tired. “Mom, just give me some time.”

“How much more time do you need?” Emily’s voice rose. Three years! You made Laylah wait three years. Now she is back, and she’s given you a son. How much longer are you going to drag this out?”

Beckham closed his eyes. “I’ll handle it

“How?” Emily pressed. “Divorce Celia and marry Laylah. It is that simple.”

“Mom, marriage isn’t a game.”

“Then what is a game?” Emily stood up. You married Celia back then because your grandfather said so. Now that he’s in poor health and can’t control you anymore. you’re making decisions on your own?”

Beckham fell silent.

Emily looked at him, her tone softening. “Beckham. I’m not trying to push you. But Laylah’s suffered enough. A woman alone in a foreign country, giving birth and raising a child.

“Think about what she went through these past three years. Now she’s back. Are you going to make her wait again?”

“I won’t make her wait, Beckham said. Tll take care of her and Ricardo and give them a good life.”

“Take care? Like how” Emily’s voice rose again. “Money? A house? Beckham, that isn’t what Laylah wants. She wants you. She wants a family.”

Beckham didn’t answer. He knew his mother was right, but he couldn’t give what Laylah wanted. Not yet,

anyway.

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