After My Boyfriend and Best Friend Betrayed Me, Regret Haunted Them Nightly Chapter 08
The surgery was scheduled for two weeks later. At the pre–op meeting, Preston applied to join the surgical team.
Noticing the underlying tension between us, Dr. Nelson hesitated. “Preston is young and capable, with plenty of experience. Having him as your assistant would be ideal, but you two…”
I let out a soft laugh and nodded. “It’s fine. Once inside the operating room, we’re just doctors.”
I knew Preston’s capabilities better than anyone.
Setting everything else aside, he was an exceptional doctor, one of the very few people I truly admired over the years.
On the day of the surgery, the moment the surgical lights hummed to life, I took a deep breath.
My world narrowed down to the exposed vessel. The rhythmic beeping of the monitor sounded crisp in the quiet room.
Standing opposite me with only his eyes showing, Preston gave me a subtle nod.
“Hemostat…”
Before my command fully left my mouth, Preston had already handed over the instrument.
I paused for a beat.
The motion was instinctual. Preston and I had built years of seamless unspoken understanding.
For a split second, it felt as though we were still those perfectly synchronized partners and lovers from before.
As if the betrayal three years ago had never happened.
But it was only an illusion.
For ten hours, not a single personal word was spoken.
There was only clean, efficient coordination–the click of surgical instruments, the hum of the monitor, and quiet commands.
Ten hours later, after the vascular graft was stitched and the heart resumed its rhythm after cardiac arrest, a muffled cheer erupted across the operating room.
Setting down my instruments, my right hand twitched uncontrollably.
“I’ll close up. Take a break.” Preston stepped forward and took the needle driver from my hand.
I took a half–step back against the counter, watching him stitch the sternum layer by layer.
His work was meticulous, neat, and precise. Just like the competitive boy from our school days, yet somehow entirely different now.
The surgical lights dimmed. Waiting outside, Milton stood up instantly.
I pulled down my mask and offered him a faint smile on my pale face. “The surgery was a success. Tonight is critical; we’ll see tomorrow.”
He froze for a moment before letting out a sigh ofrelief. “Thank you, Dr. Palmer.”
Milton pulled a piece of chocolate from his pocket.
“You look a bit pale. Thanks for your help–here, have some chocolate. Don’t want your blood sugar
crashing.”
My vision was already clouding over slightly. I smiled, reached out, and took the chocolate.
It was slightly bitter, with a rich, sweet finish.
Turning around, I saw Preston standing frozen in place.
His palm was open, revealing a melted, misshapen caramel candy.
Preston’s face was pale, his voice raspy and choked with emotion.
“Julissa, this was the most peaceful surgery I’ve done in three years.”
“During those ten hours, I kept thinking about one thing.”
“I could have had a partner who shared my passion, standing beside me at the very top.”
He suddenly looked up at the ceiling, refusing to let me see his red, tear–filled eyes.
“I threw it away myself.”