CHAPTER 18: CHAPTER 18: ALL THESE YEARS, HOW MUCH I’VE WANTED YOU...

Dr. Bennett took off his mask, his tone gentle.

"Your father is out of immediate danger for now."

Seraphina Thorne’s heart, caught in her throat, sank back down, her eyes red as she thanked him.

"Thank you, thank you so much, thank you all!"

A young woman, facing family upheaval and carrying it all alone—Dr. Bennett felt genuine sympathy in his heart.

He patted her shoulder, introducing her proactively.

"This is Professor Hans. Your father was very fortunate: all the directors of several departments and Professor Hans happened to be in the hospital for a consultation, and it’s thanks to his expertise and our teamwork that your father’s life was saved in time."

"Thank you!" Seraphina clung tightly to Professor Hans’ hands, "Please, I’m begging all of you—save my dad, I... I really can’t lose him."

Professor Hans gave her a comforting smile. "We’ll do everything we can," he promised.

"Miss Thorne." Dr. Bennett handed Seraphina a packet of tissues, "Let’s discuss things in my office."

"Yes, yes!" Seraphina tried to compose herself, "Everyone... please go first!"

They all walked together to the consultation room, where Dr. Bennett explained the situation simply.

"Your father’s cerebral edema is very severe. You saw for yourself how dangerous things just became. If we delay any longer and there’s any bleeding, the consequences could be devastating. We’ve all discussed and unanimously agree—surgery as soon as possible is the best option. Of course... there are risks, but Professor Hans is a specialist in this field, with years of experience. With him here, the risks become minimal."

Dr. Bennett took a cup of warm water from a nurse and handed it to Seraphina.

"Of course, the decision for surgery is still yours to make."

Seraphina wrapped her trembling hands around the paper cup.

"Or maybe—?" An elderly, gray-haired doctor suggested kindly, "Talk it over with friends or family?"

"I..." Seraphina lowered her lashes, "I’m all that’s left of my family."

Her brother, Caleb Thorne, was in prison—she could only visit him once a month.

He didn’t even know about their father’s current state.

The room full of doctors fell silent.

Such a young woman, to bear all this alone—so pitiful.

Taking a deep breath, Seraphina forced herself to hold back tears and stood up.

She set her water cup on the table, bent over, and bowed deeply to everyone.

"Arrange the surgery, please... do everything you can to keep him alive."

Dr. Bennett’s meaning was clear—urgent surgery, and Theodore Thorne still had a chance.

If they waited, she might lose her father at any moment.

Between life and death, she had no other choice.

All the doctors stood up; Dr. Bennett walked over and helped her to her feet.

"Miss Thorne, don’t worry, this is our duty, we will do absolutely everything we can. Well then—" He turned to Dr. Hans, switching to English, "Professor Hans, you decide on the surgery schedule."

"This is a major operation, and I need to adjust for jet lag to ensure I’m at my best. The patient also needs twenty-four hours of stabilization." Dr. Hans considered. "Let’s operate at eight o’clock the morning after tomorrow."

"Good." Dr. Bennett nodded. "Thank you, everyone."

The consulting doctors bid goodbye and departed.

Seraphina followed behind Dr. Bennett and Professor Hans, leaving the consultation room as well.

"Seraphina!"

In the corridor, Adrian walked over, smiling.

Seraphina turned warily, about to speak, but Professor Hans cut in first.

"Adrian, what brings you here?"

"Forgot to introduce—" Adrian reached out and put his arm around Seraphina’s shoulder, "This is the person I mentioned—my girlfriend."

Seraphina instinctively tried to evade his arm, but when she heard the dialogue between the two, she froze like a statue.

Adrian knows Professor Hans?

"So that’s how it is. What a coincidence." Professor Hans sounded approving. "Miss Thorne is a tough young woman."

"You two know each other?" Dr. Bennett asked curiously.

"Oh, my grad school advisor abroad is a close friend of Professor Hans." Adrian’s grip on Seraphina’s shoulder tightened. "This time, Professor Hans came to China, and we were even on the same flight."

Listening to his voice, Seraphina’s fingers dangling at her side began to tremble involuntarily.

"By the way, Professor Hans, is the surgery scheduled for Seraphina’s father?" Adrian asked, all concern on his face.

"Eight o’clock, the morning after tomorrow." Hans gave Seraphina a sympathetic look, "Make sure to stay with her—she’s really been scared out of her wits."

"Of course." Adrian gestured to his assistant, "Send Professor Hans back to the hotel."

Seraphina wanted to stop them, but Adrian’s grip on her shoulder tightened in warning.

The assistant took Professor Hans away, and Dr. Bennett nodded to them before heading off to attend to other patients.

With no one else around, Seraphina raised her hand and shook off Adrian.

"I told you, you’re not allowed to hurt my father!"

"Why would I hurt Mr. Thorne?" Adrian smiled coldly, "I arranged all of Professor Hans’ itinerary in China, even the hotel he’s staying at. I’m helping you here!"

"Scumbag!"

Seraphina raised her hand, trying to slap him.

Adrian caught her wrist and pulled her close.

"All I have to do is want it, and I can find a thousand reasons for Hans to miss your father’s surgery."

He lifted his right hand, gripped her waist, and pulled her into his arms.

Adrian leaned in, his face inches from hers.

"Then your father will just have to wait to die on the table."

The man’s breath reeked of alcohol, invasive in her nose.

Seraphina trembled all over, her stomach churning, so nauseous she nearly threw up.

"What do you want?"

"I told you—I truly want to be with you. If you behave and listen, I promise Professor Hans will save your father."

Staring at Seraphina’s delicate face, Adrian leaned even closer, greedily inhaling her scent.

"Seraphina, I miss you so much... do you know how much I’ve wanted you all these years..."

He pressed toward her, trying to kiss her.

She could feel his sweaty palms sliding over her skin.

Memories from youth flashed through her mind again.

Finally, Seraphina couldn’t hold back—she shoved him away, sprinted for the corner, and dropped to her knees, retching into the trash can.

Adrian tried to grab her again, but an older cleaning lady rushed over first, supporting Seraphina by the shoulder.

"Are you alright, miss? Come, let Auntie help you to the bathroom."

With the cleaning lady’s help, Seraphina staggered into the restroom.

She vomited until there was nothing left in her stomach, then straightened her back, splashing cold water onto her face.

Taking the tissue the cleaning lady handed her, she wiped her lips.

"Thank you, I’ll... I just need to rest a bit."

"Still, maybe let me take you to the ER for a checkup?"

"No, I’m... just carsick."

Seraphina made up an excuse.

The cleaning lady saw she seemed alright and left, dragging her mop away.

Seraphina rinsed her mouth with cold water and wiped her face.

She thought of her father, staggered out of the bathroom, and rushed to the ICU doors.

The young nurse recognized her and came over cheerfully.

"Don’t worry, your father’s condition has stabilized. You can head home for now; we’ll call you if anything changes."

"Thank you. I’d... like to stay with him a little longer."

She thanked the nurse, then backed up and sat down on a chair.

Staring at the ICU doors not far away, she lifted both hands and covered her face.

Dad!

What should I do?

Life is too hard.

She could coax the violin into the hardest sixteenth notes.

No matter how fiercely she struggled, she simply couldn’t escape Fate’s cruel little joke.

Doctors and nurses bustled past the ICU doors.

Time never stops for anyone.

The lights dim, the sun rises.

A new day begins.

Some families rejoice as loved ones leave for ordinary wards; others leave crying, mourning their loss.

The cleaner’s mop wipes away dried traces of tears on the floor.

No one pays attention to Seraphina, sitting on that chair.

Here, anything short of life and death is trivial.

Seraphina got up, taking one last look at the ICU room door.

"Dad, I won’t let you die."

She turned and strode toward the exit.