Chapter 11: A Heart That Refused to Give Up

A week after Erick Thompson's successful surgery, his condition improved remarkably.

The elderly chairman had already begun taking short walks through the hospital garden.

Every doctor who examined him was astonished by his recovery.

"Doctor Shant truly performed a miracle," one cardiologist commented.

"His heart is healing faster than expected."

Erick smiled proudly whenever he heard those words.

"That's my daughter," he quietly told himself.

Meanwhile, Shantelle's stay in Rose Hills was coming to an end.

Her international research team was waiting for her return to Switzerland.

Professor Carter had already booked her flight.

Only one final medical evaluation for Erick remained.

Early that morning, Shantelle entered Erick's hospital room carrying his latest test results.

"Good morning, Uncle Erick," she greeted warmly.

"How are you feeling today?"

"Better than I have in years," Erick answered with a smile.

"Thanks to you."

She carefully reviewed the monitor before nodding with satisfaction.

"Your recovery is progressing perfectly."

"If you continue following your rehabilitation plan, you'll be back home within a few days."

Erick looked at her affectionately.

"Will you really leave tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"The research center needs me."

A trace of disappointment appeared on his face.

"Rose Hills needs you too."

Shantelle smiled gently.

"My patients are everywhere now."

"Home isn't a place anymore."

"It's wherever someone needs saving."

Just then, Evan entered carrying breakfast.

"Good morning, Dad."

"Doctor Shant."

Shantelle nodded politely.

"I've finished today's examination."

"Everything looks good."

"I'll leave you two to enjoy breakfast."

She was about to leave when Erick suddenly spoke.

"Stay."

"Eat with us."

"It's been years since the three of us sat together."

Shantelle hesitated.

Seeing Erick's hopeful expression, she finally agreed.

"Only for a few minutes."

Breakfast passed quietly.

Most of the conversation centered on Erick's rehabilitation.

Neither Shantelle nor Evan mentioned their past.

After finishing her coffee, Shantelle stood.

"I have another consultation."

"I'll come back this afternoon."

"Thank you, child," Erick replied.

Once she left the room, Erick looked directly at Evan.

"You're still in love with her."

It wasn't a question.

Evan lowered his eyes.

"Yes."

"Completely."

"Then why are you sitting here?"

Erick asked sharply.

"Because I don't deserve another chance."

"That's true," Erick admitted.

"You don't."

"But if you truly regret everything..."

"Then prove you've changed."

"Not with flowers."

"Not with apologies."

"With actions."

Those words remained in Evan's mind for the rest of the day.

That afternoon, Shantelle completed her final consultations before returning to the hospital rooftop.

A medical helicopter was waiting to transfer her to the airport.

Professor Carter checked his watch.

"Ready?"

"Almost."

Just then...

"Doctor Shant!"

A nurse came running toward them.

"Emergency!"

"Multiple vehicle collision on Highway Eight."

"One victim has severe chest trauma."

"The local surgical team can't stabilize him."

Without hesitation, Shantelle removed her travel coat.

"Prepare Operating Room Two."

"We're delaying the flight."

"Yes, Doctor!"

Within minutes, she was back inside another operating room.

Professor Carter smiled knowingly.

"I should've expected this."

"You'll never walk away from a patient."

"Never," Shantelle answered.

The emergency surgery lasted nearly four hours.

Once again, the patient survived.

As Shantelle exited the operating room, exhausted but satisfied, she found Evan waiting quietly in the hallway.

He wasn't holding flowers this time.

Nor any expensive gift.

Instead...

He held a simple lunchbox.

"You haven't eaten since breakfast," he said.

"I thought you might be hungry."

Shantelle looked at the lunchbox before meeting his eyes.

"Thank you."

"I'll eat later."

She accepted it only because refusing would have seemed unnecessarily rude.

Evan smiled faintly.

"That's enough."

"I wasn't expecting anything else."

She walked away toward her office.

Inside, she opened the lunchbox.

It contained homemade tomato pasta.

For a moment...

She froze.

It was exactly the recipe she had once taught herself after hearing Evan casually mention it was his favorite meal.

A small handwritten note rested beside the food.

"I finally learned how much effort love requires."

"Unfortunately... I learned too late."

There was no signature.

None was needed.

Shantelle quietly folded the note and placed it back inside the box.

She didn't smile.

She didn't cry.

She simply closed the lid.

That evening, Daniel Harris arrived from Switzerland.

"There you are," he laughed.

"The entire research team is waiting for our superstar."

"Sorry," Shantelle replied.

"Emergency surgery."

"I guessed as much."

"Ready to head home?"

"Yes."

As they walked toward the waiting car, Daniel noticed Evan watching from a distance.

"Your ex-husband?"

"Yes."

"Still trying?"

Shantelle nodded slightly.

"Do you still love him?"

She remained silent for several moments.

Finally, she answered honestly.

"I don't hate him anymore."

"But love..."

"That chapter of my life is over."

Daniel smiled.

"Then let's write the next one."

Together, they drove toward the airport.

Standing alone outside the hospital, Evan watched the car disappear into the distance.

For the first time...

He didn't chase after her.

He simply whispered softly into the evening wind.

"I'll wait..."

"No matter how long it takes."