"The aortic stent graft collapse," Doctor Steven reported to the Wright family. "That caused him to faint. So, earlier, we inserted another stent, and he is under observation."
"I feel that there is a but coming," Lily's oldest brother, Liam, predicted. Behind him, all of Lily's brothers were giving the doctors murderous looks.
The doctor sighed and admitted, "There is an endoleak. Despite the new stent, we still see blood flowing outside the graft. This continues to put pressure on the aneurysm."
Lily’s family gathered outside the recovery room to listen to Doctor Steven. Her mother, her uncle, and all five brothers were naturally there. Lily's father, Kaleb Wright, was still under observation and would be moved to his private room later.
"You said you were the best at this!" Lewis, Lily's other brother, yelled. From there, everyone was nagging the doctor.
"I specialize in aortic repair via stent grafts! Yes, I am the best at this," the doctor claimed.
Last year, Kaleb Wright caught an infection that resulted in an ascending aortic aneurysm. They hired the best doctors in the state for their father’s treatment. The solution offered was a stent graft insertion. They said it was less invasive and safer, but what happened now?
"Stent grafts are still the best options with higher chances of survival after the procedure," Doctor Steven asserted. "Going for an open surgery has its risks and requires a very skillful surgeon.”
"So what happens if this endoleak continues?" Lily questioned.
The doctor paused and weakly answered, "He will need an ascending aortic replacement - an open surgery -"
"So we end up with an open heart surgery, still!" Lewis barked.
"Why did we have to go through the other procedure if an open-heart surgery was the best solution?" Another brother of Lily bitterly asked.
"This is not acceptable!" Another one exclaimed. "Doctor, it seems you are doing a trial and error with our father's condition!"
Lily's brothers were bombarding the doctor with their comments and questions while Lily’s mother kept crying, afraid for Kaleb’s health.
Kyle Wright, Lily's uncle, pointed a finger at the doctor and said, "Let me guess, your name is Doctor Quack."
"No, I swear to you, I did my best," the doctor reasoned. "All doctors in my team offered Mister Wright the best solution for his condition."
"Okay, let's say my father ends up needing that open-heart surgery," Liam frigidly asked, "Who is the best doctor who can perform this? Because we will not accept an unskilled surgeon. He or she has to be the best in heart or thoracic surgery!”
The doctor froze. He looked at the family and remarked, "You did not want to go to the best facility for heart and lung treatment -"
"Do we need to if we get the best doctor to come to us?" Liam shot back. "We can pay the doctor any amount to come to Braeton City! Remember that was how you ended up relocating here, Doctor Steven."
"Well, just so happens the best doctor for thoracic surgery right now is exclusively treating patients at Saint Dominique's Heart and Lung Center, Rose Hills," the doctor revealed.
Lily immediately frowned. The Thompson Group of Companies owned Saint Dominique’s Heart and Lung Center. In the past, Lucas's mother was known to be the best thoracic surgeon.
"But Doctor Shantelle Thompson is no longer performing surgeries. Is she?" Lily asked, referring to Lucas' mother.
"Oh, I am not talking about the famous Doctor Shantelle Thompson. I know she is already retired." The doctor gulped and explained, "Look, I had signed a confidentiality agreement. I'm not supposed to say this, but I trust you won't say anything."
"I'm talking about her son, Lucas Thompson. He earned his license abroad and had operated on five of the most complicated heart surgeries referred to their center over the past three months," the doctor revealed.
"I had already referred two of my patients there," Doctor Steven added. "They say he is the next big thing in thoracic surgery, but he chose to run his father's company more than actively practicing surgery. He only accepts patients requiring complicated procedures and does not take clients outside Saint Dominque's."
"Fuck. Lucas is back?" Lewis indignantly turned to Lily and asked, "Do you know about this?"
"Is Lucas really back, Lily?" Lily's mother also asked in shock. All her brothers, except for Liam, asked the same thing.
Lily helplessly looked at Liam, and seeing her brother wasn't going to spill either, she chose a safer answer and said, "No. This is the first time I have heard of this."
"I'm going to kill him!" Lewis declared.
"I second that!" Kristoff, another brother of Lily, said the same thing.
"Wait!" The doctor called everyone's attention. He suggested, "You know, Doctor Lucas Thompson?"
"Yes!" All four of Lily's brothers said.
"Then." The doctor pursed his lips and suggested, "Perhaps you can kill him after he operates on your father?"
"That's a good point," Lewis said. "but after the surgery, I'm going to do whatever I want with him!"
"Me too!"
"Count me in!"
Lily’s brothers were getting rowdy, so she called everyone's attention, "Okay, stop! Before you think about what you want to do, let's say Lucas agrees; remember that our father will still need postoperative care."
Seeing everyone in her family was listening to her, Lily suggested, "I'll talk to Lucas. You all stay here with Mom and Dad."
***Hours later, Lily was back in Rose Hills, standing before the Thompson Group of Companies Headquarters. She sighed because she had never expected to be back.
Lily did not have to introduce herself. She did not know why or how, but the security guard around the building knew her. She had clearance to go to Lucas's office without any hassle.
When Lily entered Lucas' office, he was already expecting her.
"Lily, what brings you back?" Lucas calmly asked while leaning back in his seat.
"How did you get your medical license?" Lily asked outright.
Lucas frowned. He cleared his throat and replied, "I don't know how you knew that -"
"A doctor from Braeton slipped," Lily explained.
"I see," Lucas casually responded. "He should not have done that, but what does it have to do with your visit?"
Lily gasped profoundly before looking at Lucas with pleading eyes. She revealed, "Dad, he - he underwent an aortic stent graft procedure last year, and earlier today, it collapsed. Apparently, there was an endoleak, and even after the stent was replaced, there was still an endoleak."
"It looked like he will need an operation in the end. We want to ensure that whoever operates on him is the best. Are you the best one out there?" Lily asked.
"I am. I may not have practiced it here in the country, but I have performed many of the same procedures abroad," Lucas confirmed. He got up from his seat and asked, "What kind of condition does Uncle Kaleb have?"
"Ascending aortic aneurysm. Dad had an infection that caused a blood clot, and it traveled to his heart. This happened last year," Lily explained.
"Hmmm." Lucas calmly said while walking towards Lily. He asked, "Do you want me to operate on Uncle Kaleb?"
"Can you promise that you won't make mistakes?" Lily asked.
"I won't make mistakes," Lucas replied.
"Then, can you?" Lily asked. It seemed to her that Lucas was open about it. Asking him wasn't that hard after all.
"I will operate on Uncle Kaleb in exchange for one thing," Lucas suggested.
In a trembling voice, Lily inquired, "What is it?"
Lucas' dark-colored eyes seriously looked straight into her blue orbs and said, "Marry me, tomorrow."
'Wait, what?' Lily could not believe it. Days ago, Lucas said he wanted her back. 'How did it escalate to marriage now?'
November 18, 2023. Chapter 3-3. Note: Lily has five brothers: Liam, Lewis, Levin, Kristoff, and Kayden. Thank you for patiently waiting. The next chapter will be on Monday. Have a great weekend, Guys! Kisses.
“Marry me, tomorrow.” Lily blinked. Eventually, her brows furrowed, and she regained her awareness. She asked, “Marry you?” “Yes, that’s my condition,” Lucas repeated. “Of course, you can seek out other doctors from another state, perhaps from another country, but I am the convenient option, right?” Lily grunted. She answered, “You are so heartless. My father’s life is at stake, someone who was like a second father to you, and yet you come up with a bargain!” “What is so wrong about marrying me, Lily?” Lucas asked. The two remained to stare at each other. Lily did so with anger in her eyes, while Lucas had a strong look of determination. “Why? Because you hurt me, my family, and even your family? Why would I marry you?” Lily expressed. “Whose to say you won’t leave again?” “Because I am back to make it all right,” Lucas answered. “And I will do everything to repair the unfavorable outcomes of my decision to leave.” Lucas grabbed Lily’s arm and said, “I’m staying for good. I
A black Cadillac pulled over in front of Lily. The car's window rolled halfway down, and she saw those piercing dark brown eyes that held her captive for a second. As usual, Lucas had that serious look on his face. He greeted, "Good morning." "I can't be seen in public," Lucas reminded her. "Do you mind getting in on your own?" "I wasn't about to get carried into a car, anyhow," Lily muttered. Prior to flying out to Rose Hills, Lily informed Lucas' assistant of her arrival. So, as soon as she stepped out of the airport, it no longer surprised her that Lucas was there. The man arrived in a caravan of three cars. All of them looked armored and brand new. As soon as Lily settled, the car drove away from the airport, with one vehicle ahead of them and another behind. "I have already ordered Uncle Kaleb to be airlifted to Rose Hills," Lucas revealed. He was leaning back in his seat, looking out the window. "I only allowed a maximum of three visitors, I'm afraid. I will tighten sec
### FLASHBACK ### When Lily and Lucas were kids, their families decided to go on a vacation. They went to a private lakehouse. Lily's brothers were doing their own thing. Lily and Lucas, on the other hand, walked around the lake before settling on a picnic table. From there, Lily shared with Lucas a conversation with her friends at school. "My girl friends at school said that when we are older, we should have our own rings. But my friends like pink! Ewww! My brothers don't wear pink, so I never wear something pink." With a frown, she corrected, "But sometimes, Mommy forces me to wear pink and a dress." "Girls have to have a ring?" Lucas asked. "Yeah, like a diamond ring!" Lily revealed. "My mommy has a big yellow ring on her finger. Didn't you see?" "I think my mommy has blue," Lucas revealed. "I love blue!" Lily said. "My brothers wear blue all the time! When I grow up and meet my special person - because, only the special person gives that ring, you know. I want that sp
"I don't mind if she hates me right now, but I can't let her h -" Lucas' words were cut off because his phone rang. His father was calling, and he had to answer it. "Dad?" "Son, I heard Kaleb is being admitted to the Heart and Lung Center, and you are operating on him?" Lucas’ father, Evan Thompson, asked on the other line. "Are you -" Lucas felt his father's hesitation. Eventually, Evan Thompson resumed, "Are you fixing things?" "You could say that, Dad," Lucas answered. "Uncle Kaleb needs an ascending aortic replacement." “After ten years, your timing is still off,” Evan said. “I know, but when I saw Lily back in Koplin, I couldn’t - I had to have her,” Lucas reasoned. “I married her, Dad.” “What?” Evan reacted. “I forced her to marry me,” Lucas revealed. “You are going to give us a heart attack,” Evan remarked. “I’m sorry. I want to be with her badly,” Lucas explained. “Don’t worry about this. I’ll make it work.” There was silence in the air before Evan proposed, "The
Lily arrived with Lucas at Saint Dominque Heart and Lung Center. Ryan was also with them. As soon as they entered the lobby, a red-haired female doctor greeted Lucas. "Doctor Thompson, the patient from Braeton, has already settled in his room. The patient's name is Kaleb Wright. He is -" The lady doctor said, but Lucas raised his hand, stopping her from resuming. "Give me the charts," Lucas said. He had no expression on his face as he ordered. "I want to review it myself." "Um, Of course, Doctor. Let me accompany you to your office," the lady doctor suggested. Lily would not have minded this lady doctor, but she clearly saw the sparkle in her eyes when the red-haired woman spoke to Lucas. She also noticed how the doctor glanced at her, silently wondering who she was. When they made their way to a private office, Ryan opened the door for Lucas. The bodyguard that drove them to the center stood by the door as Lucas entered. Lily was about to follow inside when the red-haired lad
Three and a half hours later, the surgery was completed. Kaleb Wright had a new ascending aorta. After an operation, Lucas would generally leave the rest of the work to a resident surgeon. However, Lucas wanted to do everything for Kaleb. "Doctor, I can close the chest," Doctor Brown offered. "No," Lucas plainly said. "I'll do everything. Everyone can assist and learn." What Lucas really wanted to say was that he could not afford any mistakes during that surgery. This was his first step in redeeming himself. So, he would instead do everything with many eyes watching him. One by one, Lucas inserted the sternal wires, his eyes barely blinking, focused on Kaleb's open chest. After closing Kaleb's sternum, he also personally stitched the wound. Lucas observed Kaleb for a few minutes longer before finally giving the order, "We can move him to the ICU." The surgical team clapped their hands. One by one, they praised Lucas. "You did a fantastic job, Doctor Thompson," the cardiol
"Here?" Lily was stunned. Lucas brought her to a small Chinese eatery downtown. He asked the owner to close the store only for his late dinner. While Lucas sat before the table and ordered food, Ryan and one bodyguard watched from outside. Another private car from Lucas' men also arrived to stand watch. "It's two in the morning. The fancy restaurants are closed," Lucas reminded. "I mean, I don't mind," Lily said while sitting in front of Lucas. "I sometimes get sent to places that aren't on the map, and even casual dining isn't available, but you? You are not used to this." Lucas' brows met. While taking off his coat, he answered, "You'd be surprised." "Then." Lily paused and urged, "Surprise me!" Unfortunately for her, Lucas did not explain himself. He only said, "I'm famished. I don't usually eat before surgery." Lily watched as Lucas rolled up his sleeves. She did not miss the scars that were on his forearms. She counted around five. Two of them were very deeply inflicted.
"Dad!" Lily exclaimed, seeing her father being moved to the private room. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she embraced him tightly. "Ouch! Lily, you sure can hug," Kaleb remarked. "Careful now. I can still feel those surgical wires pricking my flesh." Two days had passed since the operation. Lily had been at the heart and lung center with her parents. Her brother Liam occasionally left to see his wife and kids, but often, he flew in a private plane to see Kaleb, even just for a few hours. As Lucas had promised, he came to see Kaleb longer than he should have. Lucas would spend at least an hour checking Kaleb's vitals when asleep. Lucas also stayed throughout Kaleb's extubation. Naturally, since Kaleb was put to sleep, he was on a ventilator. After Lucas had confirmed that Kaleb's vitals were stable, he ordered him off the machine, and now, Lily's father was back in a standard room. "How are you feeling, Tiger?" Lily's mother asked Kaleb. That was how Scarlett called Lily's fat