Chapter 65

Lilah changed into a blue sterile gown. Her hair was all tucked into the surgical cap. She slipped on a pair of sterile gloves, her hands fair and delicate like polished jade. At exactly three o'clock, the surgery began. The temperature in the operating room was pretty low. Standing by the patient's bed, Lilah looked down at the child—roughly Aiden's age—his little body covered in tubes. A wave of sorrow tightened in her chest. But within seconds, she steadied herself and held out her hand. The scrub nurse handed her the first instrument right away. Lilah moved with calm precision, seamlessly performing each step of the procedure. The assisting doctors in the room all stared, wide-eyed and amazed. None of them had ever seen a surgeon so swift and precise. Every movement was confident and razor-sharp—with no pause or mistake. The operating room stayed brightly lit throughout. Outside, Gabriel sat on a chair, long legs crossed with a laptop on his lap. His lean fingers tapped quickly ove