Chapter 10
Chapter 10
When Callum emerged from surgery, consciousness arrived in fragmented waves as the anesthesia gradually
released its grip.
The moment clarity returned, he lunged for the passing doctor’s sleeve with surprising strength, nearly pulling the startled physician off balance.
“Laurina,” he demanded, voice raspy from intubation. “How is she?”
The doctor steadied himself, recognizing the wild desperation in his patient’s eyes. “Ms. Brooks‘ transplant was successful. The kidney is functioning well, but she hasn’t regained consciousness yet. This is completely
normal–nothing to worry about.”
Callum only registered the words “hasn’t regained consciousness,” his mind immediately constructing worst case scenarios. Despite the white–hot pain radiating from his incision, he flung back the covers and attempted to stand.
“Sir! What do you think you’re doing?” The doctor pressed him back with firm hands. “You’ve just undergone major abdominal surgery. Your body is literally held together by stitches right now.”
“I need to see her,” Callum insisted, still struggling against the doctor’s restraint. “I won’t believe she’s okay until I see her myself.”
The medical staff exchanged knowing glances–they’d seen this particular brand of stubborn before. Rather than risk him tearing his sutures, they reluctantly brought a wheelchair.
“Ten minutes,” the doctor warned as he personally wheeled Callum down the corridor. “Not a second more.”
As they entered Laurina’s recovery room, Callum’s breathing visibly changed. The tension that had been radiating from him in almost visible waves gradually subsided at the sight of her–pale but peaceful, chest rising and falling in steady rhythm.
An expression of profound satisfaction settled over his features. His eyes softened with a tenderness so raw and unguarded that the attending nurse felt the need to look away, as though witnessing something too intimate for
outside observation.
In the private theater of his mind, Callum spoke to the sleeping woman: Laurina, though fate seems determined to
keep us apart, I find comfort knowing a piece of me will live inside you forever. Perhaps this is as close as we’ll ever
come to being truly united. But it’s enough. It has to be enough.
Despite the doctor’s time limit, Callum refused to leave Laurina’s room until well past evening. Only when his own
pain became unbearable did he allow himself to be wheeled back to his room, immediately sur
arrange his transfer to another hospital.
ing Matt to
Under no circumstances could Laurina discover the identity of her donor. The knowledge would only burden her with guilt, and he couldn’t bear to cause her more pain.
Two days after Callum’s transfer to a private facility across town, Laurina opened her eyes.
10:14
Addio To The Stand–In Past, This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
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Chapter 10
Callum’s elation surpassed even her family’s. Despite his own recovery, he called her multiple times daily, micromanaging every aspect of her care from afar. Was the room temperature comfortable? Had she eaten enough protein? Were the nurses checking her vitals regularly? No detail escaped his obsessive attention.
One evening, as rain lashed against his hospital window and Laurina had already retired early, Callum suddenly realized something troubling. In all his fixation on Laurina’s recovery, he hadn’t heard a single word from his wife.
The recognition hit him with unexpected force. Cassie hadn’t reached out even once. Typically during his business trips, she maintained near–constant communication–sending morning texts, calling to share mundane details about her day, checking whether he’d eaten properly or slept enough.
Yet after all this time, complete silence.
With an odd sense of foreboding, Callum dialed her number. Instead of her familiar voice, an automated message greeted him: “The number you have dialed is no longer in service…”
A peculiar sensation spread through his chest–something between confusion and alarm.
He quickly opened WhatsApp only to discover her profile had vanished, replaced with the stark message: “This account no longer exists.”
Genuine panic began to set in. He jabbed at Morgan’s contact with trembling fingers.
“Is Cassie at home?” he demanded without preamble.
“Mrs. Reid?” Morgan sounded surprised. “She left with luggage seven days ago and hasn’t returned. I assumed you knew her whereabouts, sir.”
Seven days ago. The exact day of his surgery.
Callum’s heart rate spiked, setting off his bedside monitor. A nurse poked her head in with concern, but he waved her away irritably.
Seven days with no contact. No warning. No explanation. Her phone disconnected, social media erased. It was as though Cassie Brooks had simply… vanished.
Had she somehow discovered the truth? About the kidney? About Laurina?
An unfamiliar sensation crept through him–a hollow, sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. The steady certainty that had always defined his world suddenly felt unstable beneath him.
For the first time in years, Callum Reid experienced genuine fear–not for himself, not even for Laurina, but for the sudden, unexpected collapse of the carefully constructed life he’d built.
Something irreplaceable was slipping through his fingers, and he hadn’t even noticed it was gone until now.
This Time I Chose To Reclaim My Own Life
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Chapter 11
