CHAPTER 6.

Camilla's POV.

I knew I was running out of time. It was either going to be George or Lawrence.

After everything that transpired between us, it would be natural for me to let Lawrence go. After all, this was the man who broke my heart, I could still vividly remember the betrayal.

My hands gripped tightly on the car door trying to come up with the best solution. My son needs me but so does Lawrence and from the looks of things he must be in a Critical condition.

I had no intentions of forgiving him but still, he was George and Mira's father. I wondered how they'd feel if they ever found out I let their father die over some past grudge.

Whatever my reasons were, I had a patient under my care who needed medical attention, and let him go against everything about my profession.

I exhaled taking a deep breath and I opened the door and hurried inside my car. I fastened the keys turned up the engine and drove to the hospital with the speed of lightning.

"Camilla, thank God You've arrived. I was beginning to think you were not going to come." Dr Andrew said tailing after me the moment I arrived at the hospital.

I didn't answer him because I was too anxious. When he didn't get a response he continued.

"The director is in a dire condition I just hope we are not too late."

"What's the situation?" I asked curiously with my eyes scanning through the hallway desperately searching for Lawrence's room.

"The director is unconscious. his heart rate is dropping drastically." Andrew turned to meet my gaze as we continued to walk down the hall"I don't think he might survive the night. We need to act fast." Andrew's voice was firm but had a tone of urgency.

My heart pounding against my chest causing me to quicken my pace, praying I wasn't too late to save his life.

I turned the door knob and I was met with an unconscious figure. It looked as though he was even more pale than the last time I saw him.

I forced the lump down my throat reaching out to him.

My mind raced with worry but I pushed aside my emotions to focus on my work as a doctor.

"Outside the prescription I gave has anyone attended to him just in case this is an allergy incident," I asked hastily turning to Dr Andrew.

"I doubt. I made sure your prescriptions were adhered to with all efficiency." Dr Andrew huffed and I could tell he was frustrated"This is the director's life we are talking about."

"How could this happen." I muttered reaching forward, checking his pulse" he was fine before I left."

My eyes popped out from their socket when the machine started beeping fast indicating that his vitals were unstable and he was in danger.

"Camilla what do we do," Andrew said with haste.

I was freaked out but I had to remain calm push my emotions aside and focus on the task at hand.

My mind racing with possible treatments. I quickly instructed the nurse to start preparing the necessary equipment.

"Let's start with securing the airway." Locking the eye with Andrew I said to him" Intubate the patient while I monitor his oxygen saturation."

Dr Andrew swiftly inserted the endotracheal tube, ensuring that the patient's airway was secure.

I breathed a sigh of relief when I watched the oxygen levels stabilize on the monitor.

"Now, let's focus on their circulation," I said turning my gaze back to Lawrence.

"I'll start an IV line while you assess his blood pressure." I turned to one of the nurses.

Taking a deep breath I skillfully inserted the IV and I placed my hand on Lawrence's wrist, feeling for a pulse.

I furrowed a brow feeling concerned that the treatment did not have the kind of effects I was expecting.

"His blood pressure is dropping. We need to administer fluids and consider blood transfusions." I yelled to the nurses with me

One of the nurses gave a nod grabbing bags of saline and blood from the nearby cart. Together, they worked seamlessly, administering fluids while I monitored the patient's response.

"His blood pressure is stabilizing," I said out loud and I could feel the relief everyone felt instantly.

"You truly are a miracle worker." Dr Andrew said to me and I could sense a hint of pride in his voice.

"Honestly we are really lucky to have you."He places a hand on my shoulders giving me a warm smile.

I returned the smile giving him a nod and acknowledging his kind words.

"It's fine, you don't have to thank me Dr Andrew I was just doing my job."

"You're young, dedicated, smart, and intelligent this hospital is blessed to have you working with us ."

"We need you here Camila, is going abroad really worth it? you're so good that I don't want to lose such a talented and meticulous doctor." Andrew continued and I felt a pang of guilt.

I was never one to share my problems with others and I had no I had tension of doing that now.

With this whole thing traveling abroad might not be the best option because I had yet to figure out what was wrong with George and Lawrence was still in a life-threatening situation.

"Andrew you give me too much credit It was a team effort and I'm glad we were able to make a difference," I explained to Andrew.

"I'll order an immediate CT scan to identify any further complications," Andrew said to me.

"That's a great idea. Keep me posted." I replied.

Andrew gestured to one of the nurses, who quickly wheeled Lawrence to the scanning room, my eyes fixed on Lawrence's pale face.

I waited for the results praying that there was not going to be anything serious that was wrong with him.

The door to the scan room opened and Andrew gazed at me.

"Scan results are in, Camila." He said with a sober expression and I felt the panic against my throat.

"Is everything okay with him?" I asked trying to keep my heart steady.

Dr Andrew ignored my words and passed me the scan results.

My eyes scanned through the images, and my heart immediately sank.

"Internal bleeding." I muttered then I turned to Dr Andrew. “We have to get him to surgery."

*

The team sprang into action wheeling Lawrence into the theater for the operation.

I was all set for the surgery, dressed in my lab coat, sporting white gloves on my hands, and almost fully masked up.

Just as I was about to approach

Lawrence, Dr. Andrew swiftly grabbed hold of my arm.

I shifted my attention to his firm grip on my arm, then lifted my gaze to meet his eyes.

"I noticed you have been distracted lately." Dr Andrew said to me.

"I'm fine." I shrugged my arm with hopes he would remove his grip but he wouldn't budge.

"I hope you remember what I said before. When we're in this coat, it's all about the patient. Your feelings and emotions don't matter."

'I got it," | muttered slowly.

"Don't mess this up, this is surgery. a life and death situation and I need you to concentrate because at this moment the director's life is in your hands." Narrowing his eyes to me he continued"| hope you understand."

"Yes, Dr Andrew." | forced a smile and then entered the theater.

When I got into the room my eyes were fixed on Lawrence's unconscious form. I nearly broke down in tears, he was just getting worse and he looked so lean and pale.

I had made a promise to Dr. Andrew that I would stay focused and composed, but seeing him in such a critical state made me want to rush over and hold him tight in my embrace.

I began to wonder if that night if I hardly spoke to him so harshly and just listened he probably wouldn't have been in this condition. It's all my fault I thought.

"Dr Camila." Dr Andrew called out to me with a frown, breaking me from the trance.

"Huh, I muttered, meeting his gaze.

With a disapproving frown plastered on his face, he gestures toward Lawrence's body, reminding me that a patient was waiting for me to be operated on.

I flickered my eyes, dropping my head in shame, for the first time I zoned out in the process of surgery and I could tell Dr. Andrew wasn't pleased.

'''m sorry," | muttered to everyone present in the room.

"Camilla, let's identify the source of the bleeding." Dr Andrew Introduced me when he noticed I was still lost in what to do.

I exhaled, calming my beating heart, I was determined to save it.

Lawrence's life. My hands were steady and my mind was focused.

"Alright, let's do this. We need to find where the bleeding is coming from." I asked quickly.

I began the procedure, making a careful incision to access the affected area.

"Scalpel, please." | stretched out a hand to one of the nurses who was present.

A nurse handed me the scalpel, and I continued with precision, exploring the intricate network of blood vessels.

Thanks to the advanced technology and with a combination of visual examinations I was able to find what I was looking for but I needed to be sure.

"Let's use the laparoscope to get a closer look, I said again.

1 inserted the laparoscope, a small camera, into the incision, allowing me access to view the internal organs on a monitor. With its help, I was able to identify the source of the bleeding a ruptured blood vessel.

"It's a ruptured vessel in the mesentery," | muttered still examining the incision.

I had to apply pressure to the bleeding vessel using a combination of sutures and clips, effectively stopping the flow of blood.

"Hand me the sutures and clips, please," | said and I was handed the instruments I required while Andrew watched me with intense gaze.

With my skills I was able to secure the vessel, ensuring it would no longer cause further harm.

"Great. The bleeding has been successfully controlled." Andrew remarked, giving an approving nod.

With the bleeding under control, I meticulously closed the incision, layer by layer, ensuring a secure and clean wound closure.

"Suture." | requested.

A nurse handed me the suture, and I carefully stitched the layers together, ensuring proper healing and minimizing the risk of infection.

After hours of intense focus and skilled maneuvering, the surgery was complete.

I took a moment to catch my breath, her heart filled with relief and gratitude. I was able to save Lawrence's life.

"We did it. Now, we just have to wait for him to wake up." I said to the surgical team, removing my gloves.

The surgical team cleaned up the operating room.

I stepped out of the room, my mind filled with hope for a successful recovery. I needed the air because I was dripping with sweat.

I took a seat the moment I left the operation room trying to catch my breath.

Dr Andrew passed me a napkin and I flashed him a warm smile.

"Thank you, " I muttered, using the napkin to press on my face.

"You're welcome." He replied, taking a seat beside me.

He pulled out a can of Coke, and I could tell it was ice cold. When he noticed my longing gaze, he handed one over to me.

"You look like you need one of these." Dr Andrew smirked.

"Thank you, Dr Andrew." | expressed my gratitude, taking the drink.

As I took a sip, I let out a breath, feeling the refreshing chill flow down my throat and spread throughout my body.

"Hmm, this is good." | muttered, sinking in the chair"This is exactly what I need."

"Take it as my treat for a successful surgery." Dr Andrew gave me a warm smile" You deserve it."

"Dr Andrew I'm sorry for what happened during the operation I promise it won't happen again." | apologize sincerely.

"Hey, we're all human, and I get that you're going through something, even if I don't know what it is. Since you've assured me it won't happen again, I let it slide."

"Thanks." | sighed feeling relieved.

"I should go check on the Director's condition," I said hurrying back to Lawrence's room.

He was still out cold, with an oxygen mask covering his face and the monitor beeping steadily. I settled down next to him, my eyes fixated on him.

Two hours passed and there was no single sign that he was going to wake up. I could feel the panic rising from within me.

I gently assessed his vital signs, which appeared normal, but he remained unresponsive, causing concern. I instinctively reached out, grasping his hands in mine.

"Come back to me," | muttered.