Chapter 8: Doctor Thompson?

"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?'