When My Ex's Worst Enemy Became My Sanctuary novel Chapter 375

“The bullet hit the subclavian artery, right under the collarbone. It missed his heart and most of his lungs, but it damaged the brachial plexus. We need to remove the bullet right away, and there are some real risks involved with the surgery. Is any family here?”

Mamie helped Dorothea step forward. “I’m here.”

“I’ll need your signature,” the doctor said, handing her a clipboard.

Dorothea skimmed down the list of what could go wrong. Her hand stopped at the possibility of cardiac arrest. Her legs almost gave out.

Mamie kept her steady so she didn’t fall.

Signing her name was the hardest thing Dorothea had ever done.

Under “family,” her name suddenly felt so heavy, loaded with all the responsibility in the world.

“Please, doctor, I’m begging you,” she asked, bowing briefly.

“Don’t worry, Rex will be performing the surgery. We’ll do everything we can, Dorothea. I promise.”

Not long after, Ladd rushed to the hospital. Pauline wanted to come too, but he convinced her to stay home. With her health the way it was, he couldn’t bear the thought of something happening to her as well.

“Dorothea, why don’t you go home and get some rest? We’ll stay here, and we’ll call you as soon as the surgery’s done.”

She shook her head, voice quiet but firm. “Thanks, Dad, but I want to stay. I can’t think about home right now.”

Scott came out of the elevator just then. “Dorothea, we caught Walton.”

He added, “A city-wide task force took down Sean’s operation too, just a few minutes ago.”

He meant it as reassurance, hoping to lighten the tension clouding the waiting room.

Dorothea gave him a tired smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. All her thoughts were trapped behind those operating room doors. “Thank you, Scott. I’m sorry. I never meant to drag everyone into this.”

“Walton was after me, not Latham.”

Wade, who was usually bickering with Latham over the smallest things, sat silently, wiping at his eyes. His brother was fighting for his life just a few rooms away.

Come on, Latham. If you don’t make it, who’s going to pick up the kids? You really want someone else raising them? he thought, not daring to say it out loud.

After ten endless hours, the doors finally opened.

Rex stepped out, looking exhausted but with a small, real smile. Everyone rushed toward him.

“The surgery went well. He’s stable, but we’re not in the clear yet. The next seventy-two hours are critical. If he wakes up before then, he should recover.”

“Doctor, can we see him?”

Rex shook his head. “He’s in the ICU now. There’s only an hour of visiting time each day. For now, let him rest. You can come back in the morning.”

Through the glass of the ICU, Dorothea pressed her hand to the window, her chest aching as she stared at the man she loved, lying helpless and so still.