Chapter 9: Secrets Built on Lies

Chapter nine 

Maxwell's POV  

"The surgery was successful."  

The lead surgeon removed his mask before extending his hand toward me, and genuine relief filled his tired expression as several nurses behind him exchanged quiet smiles after completing one of the most difficult procedures performed inside the hospital that month.  

"The transplant went smoothly, and Emily's vital signs remained stable throughout the operation," the doctor continued while handing Sophia several documents. "The next seventy-two hours will still be critical, but today's results have given us every reason to remain optimistic."  

Sophia suddenly covered her face as tears spilled down her cheeks, and the fragile composure she had maintained throughout the operation completely collapsed beneath the overwhelming relief washing over her.  

"Thank you... thank you so much," she cried while bowing repeatedly toward the medical team. "You saved my daughter."  

"You should thank Alpha Maxwell instead," one of the nurses said with a warm smile. "He never left the hospital once during your daughter's treatment, and he personally handled every procedure without a single complaint."  

Several doctors nodded in agreement.  

"Not many people would have shown such loyalty after everything your family has endured."  

Sophia slowly turned toward me, her eyes already filled with grateful tears.  

"I don't know how I could ever repay everything you've done for Emily and me," she whispered emotionally. "Without you... I would have completely fallen apart."  

I simply nodded because I didn't know how to respond.  

Instead of feeling relieved after hearing the operation had succeeded, my thoughts drifted somewhere else entirely.  

Almost without thinking, I reached into my pocket and pulled out my phone.  

The screen immediately lit up.  

My eyes settled on the message I still hadn't answered.  

Daddy, I miss you. Mommy brought me back to the hospital. Can you come see me?  

The message had been sent a days ago.  

A strange heaviness settled inside my chest as I continued staring at those innocent words.  

Lily rarely asked me for anything.  

She had always been a quiet child who smiled whenever I appeared, even if I only stayed for a few minutes before leaving again.  

She never complained.  

The first time she had actually asked me to come...  And I could not go 

Guilt slowly crept into my heart.  

I locked my phone before slipping it back into my pocket.  

Emily's surgery was over.  Sophia was finally safe.  

There was nothing keeping me here anymore.  

I looked toward Sophia before speaking quietly.  

"The doctors will continue monitoring Emily, and the nurses will contact you immediately if anything changes."  

She nodded obediently.  

"I know."  

I picked up my suit jacket from the nearby chair.  

"I need to leave for a while."  

The words had barely left my mouth before Sophia's expression changed.  

"You're leaving?"  

A trace of panic crossed her face so quickly that anyone watching would have believed it appeared naturally.  

"I've been away from home longer than I expected," I answered calmly. "Lily is also admitted here, and I should visit her."  

The room suddenly became very quiet.  

Sophia lowered her head before forcing a small smile onto her face.  

"Of course," she said softly while clasping her hands together. "She's your daughter. You should go."  

She sounded understanding.  

Yet something about the way her fingers trembled caught my attention.  

I frowned slightly.  

"What's wrong?"  She immediately shook her head.  

"Nothing."  Her voice was barely louder than a whisper.  

"I just..."   She stopped speaking before looking toward the intensive care unit where Emily had been transferred.  

"If my daughter has a father he will have been here with her," she continued after several moments of silence. "The only family Emily has right now is me."  Tears slowly gathered inside her eyes again.  

"I know the surgery was successful, but I can't stop thinking something terrible will happen before she wakes up."  

She laughed weakly while wiping away her tears.  

"I'm sorry. I must sound pathetic."  

"You've been through a difficult few days," I replied.  

"I have."   She smiled bitterly before lowering her eyes.  

"I keep telling myself to be stronger, but every time I look through that window, I remember Emily lying on the operating table."  Her shoulders began trembling.  

"I don't know how to face all of this alone."  

The corridor fell silent again.  I looked toward the intensive care unit before glancing down at my phone once more.  

Lily.  

The image of her bright little smile unexpectedly surfaced inside my mind.  

She was probably waiting.  She always waited.  

A strange feeling tightened inside my chest.  

Perhaps...  I really had neglected her for too long.  

"I won't keep you," Sophia said quietly while taking one small step backward. "You've already done more than enough for us."  She forced another smile despite the tears still shining inside her eyes.  

"Please don't worry about Emily anymore."  Something inside me hesitated.  

Amelia had always handled difficult situations by herself.  

Whenever Lily caught a fever, Amelia stayed awake throughout the night without asking anyone for help.  

Whenever problems appeared inside our family, Amelia quietly solved them before I even noticed they existed.  

She had always been capable.  She had always been independent.  

Sophia wasn't.  She had no husband beside her.  No family waiting outside the operating room.  

No one except me.  

I slowly released the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.  

"I'll stay a little longer."  Sophia immediately looked up.  

"You don't have to."  

"It's fine."  I placed my jacket back onto the chair before sitting beside the intensive care unit once more.  

"You shouldn't face this alone."  Relief flashed across her face before disappearing beneath another grateful smile.  

"Thank you."  She quietly sat beside me.  

Neither of us spoke again.  

Almost absentmindedly, I unlocked my phone one final time.  

Lily's message remained at the top of the screen.  My thumb hovered over her name.  

I could still leave.  

The hospital was large, but her room wasn't far away.  

I only needed a few minutes.  

Then another thought quietly settled inside my mind.  

Amelia has always been strong.  

She had handled everything alone before.  She could handle one more night.  

I slowly locked my phone without replying.  

Tomorrow.   I would visit Lily tomorrow.  

One more day wouldn't make any difference.