chapter224

Dr. Hady nodded. "Alright."

Lydia slipped off her sterile gown and stepped out of the operating room.

The second she walked out, she spotted Milana peeking in anxiously. As soon as Milana saw her, she froze, then rushed over. "Lydia, where's Luke? Is he okay? Why isn't he out yet?"

Lydia kept her tone calm. "He's still inside for observation."

"Observation? I thought the surgery went really well. Why does he have to stay in there? Are you guys hiding something from us?"

Lydia frowned. "You have two options."

Milana's eyes went wide and her heart started pounding. Did something bad happen after all?

"One, go get some sleep in his room. Two, wait out here until he comes out."

With that, Lydia walked away, not bothering to say anything else.

"Lydia!" Milana called after her, sounding desperate.

Lydia stopped, turned back, and said, "Oh, and don't forget, you still owe a thousand apologies on your knees."

Once she was out of the surgical area, Lydia finally checked her phone. There were missed calls and unread messages from her parents, Connor, Grandpa Samuel, Chris, even Juna.

She let out a soft sigh.

Cameron and Kylie knew she had a surgery tonight. They'd been texting every hour or two, asking if she was done yet. She wasn't sure if they'd gone to bed, so she didn't want to call and risk waking them. Instead, she just texted to let them know she was out of surgery so they wouldn't worry.

Barely two seconds after she sent the message, Kylie's call came through. "Mom, why are you still awake?"

"Lydia, honey, you must be so tired. Look at the time. You just got out of surgery." Kylie and Cameron really did worry about her. She was still so young, but already doing things most people her age couldn't even imagine.

"Tonight's surgery was a little special. I'm fine, though. You should try to get some sleep."

"Lydia, your dad and I are staying at the hospital tonight to look after your grandpa, but I called the house. There's dinner waiting for you in the kitchen Make sure you eat something before you go to bed okay?"

s?novels

Lydia felt a warm glow in her chest. "Okay, I will. You guys get some rest too."

She hung up and started scrolling through her other messages. She had just opened the one from Grandpa Samuel when Connor's call popped up.

She raised her eyebrows and answered. "Why are you still up?"

Connor's deep, warm voice came through the line. "Are you hungry?"

Lydia blinked in surprise.

"I brought you something to eat."

Right then, a tall, cool figure appeared in front of her.

For a second, Lydia felt her heart skip. She lowered her phone, unable to hide the

small smile forming.

Connor stepped closer, his dark eyes full of concern. "Are you tired?"

He handed her a pink thermos.

"Have some soup first."

Lydia hadn't eaten at all before surgery. She'd spent seven hours.on her feet working flat out at ever stopping for water. She was used to this kind of exhaustion and hunger by now.

But this time, having someone waiting for her, ready with food the moment she was

done, made her feel like sunlight was pouring straight into her heart.

Thank you, she said softly, taking the thermos.

Connor looked at the tiredness on her face and felt his heart ache for her. His voice grew even gentler. "It's the perfect temperature. Have some first. There's more food waitingg the car."