Chapter 6
When Emma heard those words, it was like something inside her just broke apart. Her chest throbbed with such intense pain that even breathing felt torturous.
Within moments, Angela was rushed into surgery. Roy’s eyes gently closed, his hand falling weakly by his side as the heart monitor pierced the air with its alarming beeps. Their friends, panicking, shook Emma, pleading with her to do something.
Pulling herself together, Emma started calling up her Los Angeles crew. She remembered one of her friends had an uncle, a retired but skilled chief surgeon over in Northtown. When she explained what was happening, her friend immediately suggested transferring Roy there and promised to get her uncle to handle the surgery personally.”
The hospital staff didn’t waste a second. They got Roy into an ambulance, working tirelessly to keep him stable during the transfer. Just ten minutes later, Roy was in the operating room.
Emma stood vigil all night outside, her mind a whirlwind of nothingness, her lip bitten so hard it bled. As the first light of dawn crept in, the operating room’s light finally turned off.
“The surgery was successful,” announced the chief surgeon. Emma felt the relief wash over her, leaving her so drained that she fainted on the spot.
By the next day at noon, she woke up to a nurse gently removing her IV. “Your boyfriend’s surgery went well. He’s out of ICU now, so don’t worry,” the nurse reassured her.
Emma asked for his room number and, though still shaky, managed to get out of bed. As she approached his room, she could hear a heated conversation going on inside.
“Roy, Angela’s okay. Why do you need to transfer to her hospital? You just got out of a critical state. What if something happens again?” “Exactly! Do you know how many calls Emma made yesterday to save you? Don’t make this harder. Angela isn’t as badly hurt as you are. You can visit her in a few days!“}
Despite their pleading, Roy wasn’t budging. “No, I protected Angela during the crash, but she’s still hurt. I won’t feel right until I see her myself.”
Emma listened for a moment before pushing the door open. Everyone turned to look at her, Roy included, with a mix of emotions on his face. She didn’t wait for him to speak.
“I know I’m not your family and can’t decide what you do. But if you’re set on transferring, I’ll call Shelly. She can be here this afternoon. Just hang tight for a few hours.”
Her voice was steady, but Roy felt a tug at his conscience. He ushered everyone out and grabbed her hand, trying to explain.
“If Angela had gotten hurt in my car, I’d never forgive myself. That’s why I made sure she was okay first. You mean as much to me as my own family. I never wanted to hurt you.”
Emma was struggling to tell truth from lies. She wanted to ask him, if she was as important as family, where did Angela fit in? But instead, she asked something else.”
“Roy, do you want to live? I mean, do you think life is important?“}]
Roy was taken aback by her question but nodded. “Of course.“}
