Chapter 8: Day Of The Surgery

Sienna’s Point Of View

The morning of the surgery came fast and cold.

I barely slept a wink all night. By six o'clock in the morning, the hallway outside the nursery wing was filled with top medical workers. Dr. Vance and his team of specialists arrived in clean blue coats, moving quiet medical machines on small wheels down the floor.

I stood beside Mia's small bed, holding her tiny, warm hand in both of mine. Leo and Toby were sitting on the couch nearby, holding their favorite stuffed toys, watching everything with big, round eyes. "Is Mia going to sleep for a long time, Mommy?" Leo asked in a small voice, tugging at my shirt. I swallowed the hard lump in my throat and put on the bravest smile I could manage. "Yes, sweetie. The nice doctors are going to fix her heart while she sleeps. When she wakes up, she will be strong enough to run fast with you and Toby in the garden." "Promise?" Toby asked. "I promise," I whispered, kissing his forehead. The nursery door opened, and Damon walked into the room. He wore a dark suit with a dark tie, looking every bit like the powerful owner of Sterling Enterprises. But when his eyes landed on Mia, his cold face softened. He walked over to the bed and stopped beside me. Without saying a word, he placed his large, warm hand over mine where I held Mia's fingers. His touch was warm and steady. "The team is ready, Sienna," Damon said quietly, looking down at our daughter. "The best heart surgeons in the country are in the operating room right now. She is in good hands." "I know," I said, my voice trembling just a little despite my best effort to stay strong. "I just... I have been terrified of this day for five years. I spent every night listening to her heartbeat, scared it would stop." Damon looked at me, his light-brown eyes deep and serious. "You don't have to carry that fear alone anymore. I am here now." Before I could answer, Dr. Vance stepped forward politely. "It's time to take Mia down to the surgery suite, Mrs. Sterling." My heart squeezed tight in my chest. I leaned down and kissed Mia’s forehead, breathing in her soft scent. "I love you, my sweet girl. Mommy is right outside." Mia gave me a weak, sweet smile. "Love you, Mommy. Love you, Daddy." The word Daddy hung softly in the air.

Damon’s hand went still over mine, his eyes widening just a fraction. He leaned down, his face close to hers, and spoke in a low, gentle voice I had never heard him use before. "I love you too, Mia. Sleep well, little one." The nurses carefully rolled the small bed out of the room. I wanted to follow them down the hall, but my legs felt heavy and weak. Damon’s arm moved around my back, supporting my weight before I could fall. "Come on. We will wait in the private room right next to the surgical wing."

The wait was painful. Every tick of the clock on the wall felt like a strike against my chest. Damon sat next to me on the long leather couch in the private waiting room. Carter had brought in fresh coffee and food, but neither of us touched it. Leo and Toby had fallen asleep on the soft chairs across the room, worn out from waking up so early. Suddenly, Carter knocked on the door and stepped inside. He looked at Damon and pointed to his watch. "Mr. Sterling, it is eight-thirty. The press meeting at headquarters starts at nine o'clock. The news cars are already gathered outside." I looked up at Damon, confused. "Press meeting? What press meeting?" Damon stayed seated, his hand resting on his knee. "Clarissa went to the news yesterday. She told reporters that you used sick children to trick me into marriage." My face went hot with anger and shock. "She did what? Damon, everyone in the city is going to look at my children like..." "No one is going to look at them like that," Damon cut in, his voice firm and cold as ice. He turned to Carter. "Cancel the press meeting. Tell them I am staying here." Carter blinked, stunned. "Sir? Every major television news crew in the country is waiting at the main building. If you don't show up, the news will say you are hiding." "I don't care," Damon said without hesitating. "My daughter is in heart surgery. My place is here, beside my wife." I stared at him, completely caught off guard. This was a man whose entire life revolved around power, public image, and his family name. Missing this news meeting would cost him millions of dollars and damage his company reputation. Yet he was choosing to sit in a hospital waiting room with me instead. "Damon... go," I said softly, touching his sleeve. He looked at me, his brow turning into a frown. "I am not leaving you alone in this room, Sienna." "You need to fix this," I said, looking him straight in the eyes. "Clarissa is trying to ruin my children's names. She is calling my babies fake. I stayed quiet for five years while people treated me like trash, but I will not let them do it to Leo, Toby, and Mia. Go to that meeting and tell them the truth."

Damon looked at me for a long moment, taking in the fierce, stubborn light in my eyes. The slight smile returned to his lips. "Are you giving me an order, Mrs. Sterling?" he asked in a low voice. "I am telling you to protect our family's name," I replied, standing my ground. "I will stay here with Mia. You go out there and destroy them." Damon stood up, buttoning his suit jacket. He reached out, grabbed my hand, and lifted it to his lips, pressing a slow, warm kiss against the back of my fingers. "Consider it done," Damon said softly. "I will be back before she wakes up." He turned and walked out of the room with Carter, his tall frame radiating power and anger as he moved to fight for us. For the first time since I stepped into Sterling Manor, I did not feel like his prisoner....I felt like.... his partner?