Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
A palpable tension enveloped the dining room following her words.
Gazing at Timothy, Mia suddenly felt a disconnect, as if she couldn’t grasp his intentions.
With a smirk, Timothy quipped, “No losses, you say? Is your rush to find solace in another man’s arms fueling this misguided justification?”
“It’s the best decision, for both of us and especially for Grandma,” Mia asserted.
“That’s merely your viewpoint,” Timothy countered.
With a creak of his chair, he stood up, drawing Mia’s attention. “And what about your perspective?” she pressed.
Timothy paused, rooted to the spot, as Mia’s voice echoed behind him. “That’s none of your concern,” he replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty.
Undeterred, Mia continued, “You’ve been dragging out the divorce. Is it possible you’ve developed feelings for me?”
A brief tension gripped Timothy’s before he turned to confront her, his tone laced with condescension. “Mia, what gives you the audacity to even propose such an idea?”
“Isn’t it a possibility?” she probed.
In reality, Mia’s words seemed more like a thoughtless jab, aiming to provoke Timothy into proceeding with the divorce.
Timothy’s lips pressed firmly together. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. This is solely for Grandma’s sake. I won’t be coerced into marriage a second time.”
Mia paused, catching Timothy’s subtle reference to their previous marriage.
In his eyes, she detected a mix of indifference and disdain, revealing the extent of his aversion to their past union. A wave of unease swept over her.
Lowering her gaze, Mia suggested. “There’s no need to tell Grandma about the divorce, and I won’t mention anything about you and Maya until after her surgery.”
Having regained her clarity, Mia had no intention of further complicating things with Timothy.
A sudden wave of irritation washed over Timothy, causing him to furrow his brow.
“Mia, the fate of our marriage isn’t yours to dictate! Abandon those scheming thoughts of yours,” he retorted before exiting the dining room.
Left alone, Mia took her seat, her gaze drifting to the barely touched food before her.
Finally, she picked up her utensils and began to eat, though the flavors seemed muted, robbed of their usual appeal.
That evening, Mia found herself alone in the master bedroom, her sleep plagued by restlessness and unease.
As the hours ticked away, Timothy remained absent, his absence stretching throughout the night.
The following day, Mia received a call from Patricia, inviting her over for dinner.
With no classes scheduled for the afternoon, Mia decided to head straight home.
To her surprise, Connor was also present when she arrived for dinner.
After finishing their meal, Mia hesitated before asking. “Connor, how crucial do you think the choice of surgeon is for heart surgery? Is there a significant difference between the best surgeon and the second¨Cbest?”
Connor considered her question thoughtfully before responding, “There’s undoubtedly a distinction between surgeons, but there’s typically one considered the best.”
“However, if everyone sought out this top surgeon, they’d be overwhelmed. The importance of having the very best often depends on the specifics of the situation,” he explained.
“Not every procedure demands the foremost expert, and it also hinges on the individual patient’s circumstances. There is no one¨Csize¨Cfits¨Call answer,” he elaborated.
Sensing a change in Mia’s demeanor, Connor asked, “Mia, are you alright? You seem unwell.”
“I’m fine,” Mia replied hesitantly. “It’s just that my friend’s grandmother is ill. She has a weak heart and requires surgery.”
“However, the top surgeon they were considering is unavailable, so they’re debating whether to proceed with another doctor.” she added.
“Are you certain it’s heart surgery they’re discussing?” Connor asked, his eyes brightening with interest.
After all, cardiac surgery was his specialty, and he had earned recognition as a top¨Ctier surgeon in that particular field.
Mia nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right, Connor, Even though you’re a veterinarian, you’re still part of the medical community.”
“Do you happen to know any senior colleagues, friends, or classmates who are renowned cardiac surgeons?” she asked.
“Well” Connor replied, “arranging the surgery could be straightforward. I’m acquainted with a prominent cardiac surgeon, but he practices in Nord City. Nonetheless, I can assist in arranging a consultation.”
For the sake of his sister’s friend, Connor was more than willing to facilitate the surgery. Alleviating Mia’s concerns made the effort worthwhile.
“Would you? That would be really helpful” Mia said, a hint of relief in her eyes.
And while Timothy’s reluctance to marry Maya remained a concern, Mia couldn’t help but consider the cardiac surgeon Connor suggested as a potential lifeline.
If they couldn’t locate a suitable doctor in Bem City, perhaps Nord City would have the expertise they sought.
That evening, Mia opted to stay home, intending to broach the subject with Timothy the following day.
However, in the dead of night, a ringing phone shattered the silence.
On the other end. Timothy’s voice, tinged with desperation, pierced the quietude. “Grandma’s been rushed to the emergency room. Where are you?”
¡®I’ll be there soon.”
Without hesitation, Mia hung up, swiftly changed her attire, and made her way to the hospital.
Throughout the journey, Mia’s hands shook uncontrollably. Just the day before, Laura had appeared perfectly well during Mia’s visit¨Chow had her condition deteriorated so rapidly?
As the taxi approached the hospital entrance, Mia quickly stepped out, as though every second mattered.
She noticed Timothy outside the emergency room, his silhouette ominously dark, echoing the quiet intensity of the night sky.
Sensing the profound sadness radiating from Timothy, Mia stood alongside him, and together they endured a heavy silence.
The wait felt unbearably long.
Finally breaking the silence, Mia began, “Timothy, I wanted to tell you-“
“Let’s finalize the divorce tomorrow,” he interjected, his voice as composed and chilling as the night air that surrounded them, penetrating deep into her core.
Gazing at the distant, flickering lights emanating from the operating room, Mia nodded. “Very well.”
After all, their marriage should have ended much earlier.
From the beginning, it was a misstep that needed rectification.
Noticing Mia’s calm expression, Timothy sensed that she had come to terms with the situation.
Driven by curiosity, he questioned, “What were you going to say earlier?”
Mia simply shook her head. “It’s irrelevant now.”
She had considered suggesting a doctor from Nord City, but bringing it up now felt futile.
After all, Maya’s brother was among the best physicians, making him the most fitting choice for the surgery.
Indeed, Mia wasn’t willing to compromise on Laura’s health.
Timothy pursed his lips, the tension within him deepening as he observed Mia’s composed demeanor.
It felt like an eternity before Laura’s condition finally stabilized.
The attending doctor emerged from the operating room, stating, “Fortunately, we identified the issue quickly. As emphasized earlier, cardiac surgery is urgent. The sooner we proceed, the better.”
Timothy remained silent, his expression unyielding and cold.
Mia mustered a faint smile. “Thank you for your efforts. We’ll schedule the surgery as soon as we can.”
As long as Laura could proceed with the surgery without complications, everything should go smoothly.
Shortly after, Laura was taken to the intensive care unit for monitoring.
Timothy and Mia stood side by side, looking at the unconscious Laura. Her grayish¨Cwhite hair stood out prominently.
Only after ensuring Laura’s safety did Mia release a sigh of relief. A sudden wave of exhaustion swept over her as she sunk into a nearby chair.
During the anxious wait earlier, fatigue had eluded her. But now, it hit her with full force.
In the next moment, Timothy extended a steaming breakfast to her.
Looking outside, Mia noticed the break of dawn. Summer mornings often arrived bright and early.
It felt as if moments ago, the world was draped in darkness, and yet, daylight had quickly emerged.
She accepted the meal, muttering, “Thank you.”
“Once you finish your meal, we can begin preparing to head to the courthouse,” Timothy proposed.
Mia lowered her gaze, replying softly, “Alright.”