Chapter 6
Inside the sterile, blindingly white corridors of St. Jude Memorial Hospital, the digital clock ticked past midnight.
Lucas paced outside operating room three, his hands clenched deep inside the pockets of his tailored trousers.
The scent of antiseptic and surgical soap hung heavily in the air, amplifying the agonizing tension gnawing at his soul.
Dr. Harrison finally stepped out of the double doors, peeling off his latex gloves with a solemn, exhausted expression.
Lucas rushed forward, his dark eyes searching the surgeon's face for any sign of hope or tragedy.
"How are they, Doctor? Tell me the truth," Lucas demanded, his voice cracking with uncharacteristic vulnerability.
"It was touch-and-go for a few minutes, Mr. Sterling, but we managed to stabilize her condition," Dr. Harrison reported with a relieved smile.
"And the baby?" Lucas asked, holding his breath as the weight of the world hung in the balance.
May you like
"She delivered prematurely via emergency c-section, but your daughter is breathing on her own in the neonatal intensive care unit," the doctor confirmed.
A profound wave of overwhelming emotion crashed over Lucas, forcing him to close his eyes as silent relief flooded his veins.
