The Hidden Empress Stripping Her Secrets After Divorce novel Chapter 243

He hadn't understood it then.

But he understood it later—his mother was that rose. Constantly battered by his father's betrayals, she had stubbornly fought to live, fighting just to give him a home.

But now, this rose was on the verge of withering away. But fortunately, another rose had arrived to save her, right?

Sebastian closed his eyes, his hands clasped tightly together. He had never prayed so fervently in his entire life—praying to any and every deity he knew of.

Please let her live.

Please let my mother live.

I am willing to trade everything I have for it.

---

Inside the operating room.

"The final lesion is complete," Evelyn's voice finally carried a hint of relief.

On the monitor, the previously blocked artery was now flowing freely. The drug-coated balloon had released its medication at the lesion site, preventing re-narrowing. While it wasn't a permanent cure, it was enough to give this dying heart a desperate chance to breathe again.

"Vitals?" she asked.

"Heart rate down to 100, oxygen saturation at 96%, blood pressure back up to 90/60," the anesthesiologist announced, a thrill of joy in his voice. "She's stable! She's actually stable!"

A wave of suppressed cheering rippled through the OR. Several young doctors were so overwhelmed their eyes reddened, and Dr. Wright directly pulled off his glasses to wipe at his eyes.

"Absolutely incredible..." an intern whispered. "So this is Dr. Rose..."

Evelyn paid no mind to the praise. She continued her meticulous work, slowly withdrawing the catheter before suturing the puncture site. Every single step was perfectly executed, even though the most dangerous window had closed.

"We can dial down the ECMO flow," she said, glancing at the clock. "If her vitals remain stable over the next two hours, we can consider weaning her off it."

"Understood!"

The surgery entered its final phase. Evelyn personally checked every single tube and monitoring wire, ensuring nothing had been overlooked. Then, she stepped back, allowing the circulating nurse to handle the final dressings.

Only then did she finally let out a true breath of relief.

She looked up at the unconscious woman on the operating table. Isabella's complexion was vastly improved compared to when she was wheeled in; she was still pale, but she at least looked alive. The ventilator had been dialed down, and her chest was lightly rising and falling with her own autonomous breathing.

The numbers on the monitor were strong and steady: heart rate 98, oxygen 98%, blood pressure 95/65.

"Surgery was a success," Evelyn announced.

Those words possessed a magical quality, bringing a wave of smiles to everyone in the room. Dr. Wright walked over to her and gave a deep bow. "Dr. Rose, thank you. If you hadn't been here today..."

"It's a doctor's duty," Evelyn interrupted him, untying her surgical gown. "The patient needs to be moved to the ICU for close monitoring. The next twenty-four hours are the critical window."

"Yes! We will fully cooperate!"

"The surgery was a success," Evelyn's voice was soft but rang with total clarity in the silent hallway. "Your mother's cardiovascular issues have been temporarily resolved. Her vital signs are stable, and she's being moved to the ICU for monitoring."

Sebastian just stood there, as if he hadn't fully comprehended her words.

"Mr. Thorne?" Seth called out gently.

Then, Sebastian moved. He took one step forward, then another, finally stopping right in front of Evelyn. His eyes were completely bloodshot—whether from the sleepless night or something deeper, it was impossible to tell.

"Did she..." his voice was incredibly hoarse. "Did she make it?"

"She made it," Evelyn nodded firmly. "But she's not entirely out of the woods yet. The next twenty-four hours are crucial. She requires strict monitoring."

Sebastian closed his eyes and took a massive, shuddering breath.

By the time he opened them again, the suffocating vulnerability and terror were gone, replaced by the cool, restrained Sebastian Thorne everyone knew. But his hands still trembled slightly.

"Thank you," he said, pronouncing every single syllable with solemn gravity. "Thank you, Evelyn."

Evelyn looked at him and shook her head. "You don't need to thank me. It's my job."

She finished speaking and turned to Dr. Wright. "Regarding the patient's current status, I need to go over the post-op treatment plan with you in detail."

"Of course, right away!" Dr. Wright hurried to keep up.