Chapter 5 Busy with the Project

Calista listened to Vixen’s tearful, anxious voice over the phone, her heart tightening with worry. However, her medical training kicked in, allowing her to regain her composure. As she quickly recalled her Daxton’s previous health check-ups, she asked calmly, "Mom, which hospital are you at? I’ll head over right away." "We’re at Niven Hospital, the one closest to home," Vixen replied, her voice trembling. The sound of labored breathing came through the line, followed by Vixen’s gentle reminder. "Calista, drive safely, please." "Got it. Don’t worry too much, Mom. Dad will be okay." Without another thought, Calista grabbed her coat and rushed out, leaving the untouched breakfast behind. It seemed like everything was against her on the way. Multiple red lights held her back, and she found herself anxiously tapping the steering wheel, counting down the seconds. Her lower abdomen ached faintly, a sensation that had been bothering her ever since that night. As an experienced obstetrician, Calista knew the pain was likely caused by her recent emotional strain. But she had no time to tend to herself now. Placing a hand gently over her stomach, she murmured softly, "Baby, Grandpa is in danger right now, so I have to get to him quickly. Let’s both stay strong, okay?" As if responding to her reassurance, the discomfort in her abdomen gradually subsided. The sight of Niven Hospital’s entrance brought her a small sense of relief. Ambulances sped by, and Calista couldn’t help but picture Daxton being rushed in the same way. Her mind raced through possibilities. Dad’s annual check-ups had shown only high blood pressure, which had been well-controlled with medication. How could it have escalated into such a severe heart attack? At the surgery ward’s entrance, she spotted Vixen, sitting in a daze and wiping away tears, while Amelia, Amelia, sat beside her, offering quiet comfort. Calista nodded briefly to her relatives, who were standing nearby and peering into the operating room. She then quickly sat down beside Vixen. Vixen flinched slightly at the sudden presence, but upon recognizing Calista, her sorrow overflowed. Tears streamed down her face, but she couldn’t find the words to say anything. Calista’s own eyes stung, but she pulled Vixen into a tight hug. Looking over her shoulder, she met Amelia’s gaze, silently seeking an explanation. "We got the call from your mom just a little while ago," Amelia began, her eyes glistening with tears. "She said your dad was fine when he went out to buy groceries this morning. But when he came back, his face looked off—like something was wrong. He didn’t say anything, and before she could ask, he just collapsed, clutching his chest." Amelia’s voice trembled as she continued. "By the time the ambulance arrived, his heart had already stopped. Oh, Calista, what are we going to do?" Hearing this, Vixen’s shoulders shook even harder. Calista gently rubbed her back, trying to comfort her. Fighting the lump in her throat, she forced herself to sound optimistic. "It’s okay. Modern medicine is advanced. Dad will be fine." She glanced at the red "In Surgery" light above the operating room door, her nerves fraying. "Calista, where’s Alaric? Why didn’t he come with you?" Vixen asked softly, seemingly regaining some composure. Calista froze for a moment. Alaric usually stayed for breakfast if he was home. Even if work demanded he leave early, he would always leave a note on the bedside table, neatly written in his elegant handwriting. But today, when she woke up, the table had been empty. She had assumed he’d gone downstairs early for breakfast and hadn’t given it much thought. Then came Vixen’s call, and she had rushed to the hospital without questioning his absence. Her expression faltered slightly, but she replied calmly, "He had urgent work and left early." "Did you at least call him to tell him about your dad?" Amelia asked bluntly. Before Calista could respond, Vixen gently nudged and said, "It’s fine. Alaric is busy with work. Let’s not bother him." Vixen’s tearful gaze lingered on Calista, heavy with unspoken emotions. Amelia, however, wasn’t one to hold back. "Calista, you’re a doctor. You know this isn’t a minor surgery. Alaric’s job can’t possibly be more important than your father's life. If he were here, he could support you and your mom." Her words struck a chord. After a moment of silence, Calista replied softly, "Mom, Aunt Amelia, wait here for a bit. I’ll go call Alaric." She stood up and walked briskly to an empty stairwell, pulling out her phone. Her gaze lingered on Alaric’s contact, her finger hovering over the familiar number. Alaric's number stared back at her from the screen, but for some reason, she hesitated. Alaric had been acting strangely distant recently, and her unease had grown. It was this uncertainty that led her to make the call in private, away from her family. Taking a deep breath, she finally pressed the number. The screen displayed "Dialing..." alongside a photo of Alaric’s profile. She had taken the picture a week after their wedding. There had been no romantic foundation to their marriage, no dreamy discussions of honeymoon plans. Their relationship had felt more like that of old friends or roommates. Alaric often didn’t even come home. Calista had assumed their life would continue this way—uneventful and ordinary—until the day she found him waiting by the hospital entrance after work. He had looked tired, his sharp features betraying his exhaustion. But when he saw her, his expression softened into a gentle smile. "Calista, I’m sorry. The company has been busy with a major project this week. Let me make it up to you this weekend, okay?" Alaric had seemed nervous then, though he didn’t realize Calista had spotted the bouquet hidden behind him in the car window’s reflection.