chapter 4

Chapter 4: The Night Before

Abby sat on the edge of her bed in the apartment, staring at the hospital bag she had packed the night before. Tomorrow was supposed to be the day of her surgery. One surgery. One chance to finally stop the pain that had been slowly destroying her body.

But everything had changed in the last twenty-four hours.

Her daily observation visit yesterday had taken a frightening turn. After a new set of scans and blood work, Dr. Patel had called her in with a serious expression. “Abby, the inflammation has spread more than we anticipated. We now need to perform two separate procedures — one on your joints and another to address the damage to your organs. We can’t risk doing only one. The second surgery will follow a few days after the first if your body stabilizes.”

The news had hit Abby like a punch. Two surgeries. Longer recovery. More risk. More money.

She had come home exhausted and terrified, barely able to speak to Luke about it. He had listened in silence, then simply nodded. “We’ll handle it. The program expects us to act as a married couple in public. I’ll go with you and your family to the hospital tomorrow.”

Now, the day before admission, Abby felt her nerves fraying. She still had to keep working her shifts as much as possible, but the pain was becoming unbearable. The first payment had helped, but the full cost of two surgeries was daunting.

A soft knock sounded on her bedroom door. Luke stood there, dressed in a simple dark shirt.

“The car is ready,” he said. “Your mother and sister are waiting downstairs. We should leave now so we’re not late for admission.”

Abby stood up slowly, wincing at the sharp pain in her knees. “Thank you for coming with us. I know this isn’t part of the original plan.”

Luke’s expression remained cool, but his voice was steady. “It’s for appearances. The government could check hospital records. We need to look like a real couple supporting each other.”

They rode the elevator down in silence. Outside, Abby’s mother Elena and her little sister Mia were waiting beside Luke’s sleek black car. Mia’s eyes were red from crying, and her mother looked pale with worry.

“Abby…” her mother whispered, pulling her into a gentle hug. “We’re here with you. Everything will be okay.”

Mia hugged her tightly. “Please come back to us soon, okay? I don’t want you to be sick anymore.”

Abby fought back tears and kissed her sister’s forehead. “I’ll be fine. The doctors know what they’re doing.”

Luke opened the car doors for everyone without a word. The drive to the hospital was quiet except for Mia’s occasional sniffles. Abby sat in the front passenger seat, her hands clenched in her lap. Luke kept his eyes on the road, but she noticed his grip on the steering wheel was tighter than usual.

When they arrived at the hospital, the admission process moved quickly. Nurses took Abby’s vitals while Dr. Patel explained the updated plan to the family.

“Due to the rapid progression, we’ll admit Abby today instead of tomorrow. The first surgery will focus on the most critical joint damage. The second procedure will follow in a few days once she stabilizes. We’ll keep her under close observation.”

Abby’s mother nodded, tears in her eyes. Mia held her hand tightly. Luke stood slightly behind them, his presence calm and composed for the public eye.

As the nurses prepared the admission forms, Dr. Patel turned to Luke. “As her husband, we’ll need your signature on the updated consent forms for both procedures and emergency decisions.”

Luke stepped forward without hesitation and signed the documents. Abby watched him, a strange mix of gratitude and nervousness swirling inside her. He was playing the part perfectly — the supportive husband — even though she knew it was all for show.

After the paperwork, a nurse led them to a private room on the surgical ward. Abby changed into the hospital gown and settled into the bed. Her mother and Mia sat on the chairs beside her, holding her hands and whispering words of encouragement.

Luke stood near the window, arms crossed, looking out at the city skyline. He remained quiet, but his presence filled the room.

As the evening wore on, the reality of the situation began to sink in deeper. Two surgeries. Days of pain and uncertainty ahead. Abby’s hands started trembling as she stared at the IV line the nurse had just inserted.

Her mother noticed immediately. “Sweetheart, breathe. We’re right here.”

Mia’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “Abby, please be strong.”

Abby tried to smile for them, but the fear was overwhelming. What if something went wrong? What if she didn’t wake up from the anesthesia? What if the surgeries didn’t work?

Luke, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly moved. He walked over to the side of the bed, his tall frame casting a shadow. For a long moment, he simply looked at her face — at the raw fear in her eyes.

Then, slowly, he placed his hand on her shoulder. The touch was firm but surprisingly gentle. His voice was low, meant only for her, though her family could still hear.

“You will be fine.”

Abby looked up at him, startled. His gray eyes held hers, and for the first time, she saw something flicker behind the cold mask — not warmth exactly, but a quiet steadiness. A promise.

“I’ve seen worse situations turn around,” he added, his tone softer than she had ever heard it. “Focus on getting through this. The rest… we’ll handle later.”

Abby felt tears slip down her cheeks. She didn’t know if he was saying it for the sake of appearances or if he actually meant it. But in that moment, with his hand still resting on her shoulder, the fear eased just a little.

Her mother exchanged a surprised glance with Mia but said nothing.

Luke kept his hand there for a few more seconds before pulling away, returning to his usual distant posture near the window. The brief moment of comfort disappeared as quickly as it had come.

The nurse returned to check on Abby and prepare her for the night. “We’ll start the first surgery early tomorrow morning. Try to get some rest.”

As visiting hours ended, Abby’s mother and Mia reluctantly said goodbye, promising to return first thing in the morning. Luke lingered after they left, standing near the window as the room grew quiet.

“You should go home too,” Abby said softly, her voice still hoarse. “You don’t have to stay all night.”

Luke turned to look at her. The harsh hospital lighting cast shadows on his sharp features. “The program requires a spouse to be present during recovery if possible. I’ll stay until the nurses kick me out.”

Abby studied him for a moment. “Why are you really doing this, Luke? You made it clear from the beginning that this is just business.”

He was silent for a long time, his gaze fixed on the city lights outside the window. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and guarded.

“Because if something happens to you, the contract becomes complicated. The government might investigate. My debts won’t disappear if this falls apart.”

Abby gave a small, tired smile. “That’s the only reason?”

Luke didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, his tall frame making the plastic chair look too small. “Get some sleep, Abby. You have a long recovery ahead.”

As the pain medication pulled her back toward sleep, Abby felt the weight of his presence beside her. The cold stranger who had placed his hand on her shoulder twice now. The man who was legally her husband but emotionally a million miles away.

She closed her eyes, the steady beep of the monitors lulling her.

Tomorrow would bring more pain, more tests, and the second surgery looming on the horizon.

But for tonight, with Luke sitting silently by her bedside, Abby allowed herself to feel just a little less alone.

The ice was still thick.

But tiny cracks were starting to form.

The Surgery

Abby lay on the hospital bed, staring at the white ceiling as the nurses prepared her for the first surgery. The morning light filtered through the blinds, but it did little to calm the storm of fear inside her. Today was the day — the first of two major procedures that would determine whether she could finally escape the constant pain that had ruled her life for years.

Her mother and Mia had arrived early, sitting beside her bed and holding her hands tightly. Mia’s eyes were swollen from crying, and her mother kept whispering prayers under her breath. The air in the room felt thick with worry.

Luke stood near the window, dressed in a dark shirt and jeans, his arms crossed over his chest. He had been unusually quiet since arriving, his cold gray eyes occasionally flicking toward her. For public appearances, he had positioned himself as the concerned husband, but Abby knew the truth — this was still part of the contract.

The anesthesiologist entered the room with a gentle smile. “It’s time, Mrs. Harrington. The first surgery will focus on the most damaged joints. The second procedure will follow once you’re stable. You’ll be in good hands.”

Abby nodded, her throat tight. She turned to her family. “I’ll be okay. I promise.”

Her mother kissed her forehead, tears streaming down her face. “We’ll be right here when you wake up.”

Mia hugged her tightly. “Come back to us soon, Abby.”

As the nurses wheeled her bed toward the operating room, Abby’s gaze met Luke’s. He stepped closer, his tall frame blocking the bright hallway lights for a moment. For a second, she thought he might say something cold and distant again. Instead, he reached out and briefly squeezed her hand — the same hand he had placed on her shoulder the night before.

“You will be fine,” he said quietly, his voice low enough that only she could hear. “Focus on waking up. The rest can wait.”

Abby’s eyes stung with unshed tears. She managed a small nod before the bed moved forward and the operating room doors closed behind her.

Luke watched the doors shut, his expression unreadable. He turned to Abby’s mother and Mia. “I’ll wait with you. The program expects a spouse to be present during major medical events.”

They moved to the waiting area. The hours dragged on painfully. Abby’s mother paced back and forth, while Mia sat curled up in a chair, staring at her phone. Luke remained seated, his posture rigid, occasionally checking his own phone for work messages but mostly staring at the wall.

Inside, he felt an unfamiliar tightness in his chest. This was supposed to be purely transactional — a marriage on paper to clear his debts. Yet seeing Abby’s pale, frightened face before she was wheeled away had stirred something he didn’t want to name. He told himself it was only because a failed surgery could complicate the contract and draw unwanted attention from the government. Nothing more.

Hours later, Dr. Patel finally emerged from the operating room, still in scrubs. Everyone stood up immediately.

“The first surgery went well,” the doctor announced with a tired but relieved smile. “We successfully addressed the primary joint damage. Abby is stable and in recovery now. She’ll be moved to her room shortly. The second surgery is scheduled in five to seven days, depending on how she recovers.”

Abby’s mother burst into tears of relief, hugging Mia tightly. “Thank God.”

Luke let out a slow breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He nodded at the doctor. “When can we see her?”

“Soon. She’s still under anesthesia, but she should wake up within the hour.”

When Abby was finally wheeled back into her room, she looked small and fragile in the hospital bed, hooked up to monitors and an IV line. Her face was pale, and there were dark circles under her eyes. The nurse adjusted her pillows and checked her vitals before leaving the family alone.

Abby’s mother and Mia rushed to her side, holding her hands and whispering soothing words. Abby blinked slowly, still groggy from the anesthesia.

“Mom… Mia…” she murmured, her voice weak. “It’s done?”

“Yes, sweetheart,” her mother said, brushing hair from her forehead. “The doctor said it went well. You did great.”

Abby’s gaze drifted across the room until it landed on Luke. He stood at the foot of the bed, hands in his pockets, watching her with that same intense, unreadable expression. But there was something different in his eyes today — a flicker of relief, perhaps, or concern he couldn’t quite hide.

“How do you feel?” he asked, his voice quieter than usual.

“Like I got hit by a truck,” Abby managed a weak smile. “But… alive. Thank you for being here.”

Luke gave a short nod, stepping closer to the side of the bed. For the sake of appearances in front of her family, he reached out and gently placed his hand on her shoulder again — the same comforting gesture from the night before. His touch was warm and steady against her skin.

“You did well,” he said simply. “Rest now. The second surgery will come soon enough.”

Abby felt a strange warmth spread through her chest at his words and touch. It was small, almost nothing, but coming from the cold stranger who had insisted on strict boundaries, it meant more than she wanted to admit.

Her mother noticed the interaction and gave Luke a grateful look. “Thank you for supporting her, Luke. It means a lot to us.”

Luke removed his hand and stepped back, returning to his usual distant posture. “It’s what’s expected.”

The rest of the day passed in a blur of pain management and monitoring. Abby drifted in and out of sleep, waking occasionally to find her family still there. Luke stayed longer than she expected, occasionally stepping out to take calls about his company but always returning to the room.

By evening, when visiting hours ended, Abby’s mother and Mia reluctantly said goodbye, promising to return early the next morning. Luke lingered after they left, standing near the window as the room grew quiet.

“You should go home too,” Abby said softly, her voice still hoarse. “You don’t have to stay all night.”

Luke turned to look at her. The harsh hospital lighting cast shadows on his sharp features. “The program requires a spouse to be present during recovery if possible. I’ll stay until the nurses kick me out.”

Abby studied him for a moment. “Why are you really doing this, Luke? You made it clear from the beginning that this is just business.”

He was silent for a long time, his gaze fixed on the city lights outside the window. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and guarded.

“Because if something happens to you, the contract becomes complicated. The government might investigate. My debts won’t disappear if this falls apart.”

Abby gave a small, tired smile. “That’s the only reason?”

Luke didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled a chair closer to the bed and sat down, his tall frame making the plastic chair look too small. “Get some sleep, Abby. You have a long recovery ahead.”

As the pain medication pulled her back toward sleep, Abby felt the weight of his presence beside her. The cold stranger who had placed his hand on her shoulder twice now. The man who was legally her husband but emotionally a million miles away.

She closed her eyes, the steady beep of the monitors lulling her.

The ice was still thick.

But tiny cracks were starting to form.