Chapter 8

By the time Kara woke up, the examination was already over.

She couldn't even be bothered to confront Bennett and went home alone.

Soon, everything would come to an end.

By the time Bennett returned, Kara was packing her suitcase. She didn't have much. Her stuff was just enough to fill a small luggage bag.

Bennett rushed forward, gripping her hand excitedly, yet he didn't dare meet her eyes. "Kara, remember I mentioned that top cardiologist, Michel, a couple of years ago? I went on a business trip this week just to bring him here. I finally convinced him to come!

"He's only staying in Crestmoor for two days. I'll take you to see him today so he can check your heart, okay?"

Bennett sounded desperate.

Kara studied him for a moment before responding, "Didn't you say a friend had an emergency? How did that turn into a business trip?"

"I–"

"Let's go. I only have four hours. Will that be enough?" Kara pretended not to notice the way Bennett's expression turned gloomy. She continued packing.

Only then did Bennett realize how much emptier the room had become.

He frowned. "Kara, why are you packing? And where are all your plush toys?"

Kara stopped moving for a moment.

"My best friend just went through a breakup and asked me to go on a trip abroad with her. You weren't home these past few days, so I didn't get a chance to tell you. The cruise leaves tonight, and I already bought the ticket. If we're going to the hospital, we need to leave now, or I won't make it in time."

"Oh." So that's what it was.

The unease in Bennett's heart was forcibly suppressed.

With time running short, he didn't have the luxury to think about anything else. He grabbed Kara's hand and took her straight to the hospital. He even tossed her suitcase into the trunk just in case.

Kara silently observed it all.

The examination was soon completed. This time, she was here for the embryo transfer.

Before the procedure, Michel walked in with the test results. The first thing he said was, "Hello, Miss Sierra."

"Let's speak in your native language. She won't understand," Bennett interrupted hastily.

As he spoke, he stole a quick glance at Kara.

Seeing that she looked unaffected, he looked away.

Michel nodded quickly. "Ah, of course, Mr. Miles. Miss Sierra's health has improved a lot under your care! She is now fully capable of carrying a child. However, pregnancy can be tough. Is she willing to go through with it?"

"You don't need to worry about that. Just find an excuse to implant the embryo."

Bennett spoke with a hint of indulgence in his tone. He even looked at Kara with affection.

Kara found it laughable.

She had already learned the foreign language three years ago.

Bennett still thought his deception was flawless.

Would he really feel no guilt, even when she was lying on the operating table?

Kara bit her lip and turned to Bennett. "What are you two talking about? Is there something wrong with my health?"

"No, nothing. Michel just mentioned a small issue with your heart. You'll need a minor procedure. It's only an hour-long surgery. Is that okay?"

Bennett stroked her long hair intimately.

Although Kara had expected this, she still felt a hollow ache in her heart.

She smiled at him. "Will it be done in time? I have a ship to catch tonight."

Bennett hesitated for a moment.

Then, as if making some sort of decision, he gently patted her head. "Be good. After the surgery, I'll personally arrange a helicopter to take you there."

With that, Michel's assistant led Kara away to be prepped for anesthesia.

In the office, Bennett couldn't shake the image of Kara's eyes as she looked at him before leaving. Her gaze, clear and bright, was filled with deep grievance and fear.

His unease grew stronger.

Michel continued adjusting the implantation procedure on the computer, but Bennett only grew more irritable. When the operating room's red light flicked on, he finally snapped and kicked over a chair.

"Stop! I've changed my mind. Cancel the surgery now!"

Bennett bolted out and tried to stop the doors from closing.

A few nurses attempted to hold him back, but he pushed past them. He flung open the operating room doors, only to find that the person on the hospital bed wasn't Kara.

His heart dropped, and his roar nearly shook the entire hospital. "Where's Kara? Where did my girlfriend go?"

"Please don't panic, Mr. Miles, Miss Sierra said she was in a hurry to catch her ship, so the surgery has been postponed," the assistant stammered.

The man who had been on the verge of exploding suddenly went quiet.

For some reason, he felt a hint of relief.

He immediately reached for his phone, intending to call Kara, when a notification popped up at the top of his screen.

"The Odyssey Cruise collided with reefs. Nearly 20 passengers fell overboard. The casualty list has been released–"

Such bad luck!

Bennett instinctively dismissed the alert.

However, his finger froze mid-air.

The casualty list was displayed.

Kara was one of the deceased.