Chapter 232 

Irene’s phone shattered the darkness with its harsh blue glow. Matthew Hayes. 3:17 AM. 

“Hello?” Sleep vanished instantly as adrenaline kicked in. 

‘Irene. Matthew’s voice was tight. “Rose isn’t doing well. Her body’s fighting the new heart. The doctors here can’t handle it.” 

Her fingers dug into the bedsheet. “How bad?” 

“Heartbeat’s all over the place, blood pressure dropping. it keeps going like this…” He didn’t finish the thought. “We need you. Nobody here knows what to do.” 

Irene’s eyes, drifted to her window. Adam’s house ŝat dark and quiet across the garden. Her thumb hovered over the screen, considering a text, then pulled back. After Rose’s initial surgery, she’d mentioned it to him in passing. He’d just nodded, silently supporting whatever decision she made, no questions asked. 

He needs rest. Can’t mess with his treatment schedule. The excuse felt hollow even to her. The truth was simpler–she didn’t want Sterling drama seeping into the life she’d built here, into what she had with Adam. 

“Thought I was finally free of them,” she whispered, half to herself. Guess the universe has a sick sense of humor.” 

She exhaled, shoulders squaring. “I’m on my way.” 

Twenty minutes later, she hit the stairs with her medical bag to find Brandon and Wesley already waiting. James stood by the door, keys in hand. 

Brandon caught her arm. “Hey. You don’t owe them anything. Nobody would blame you for sitting this one out.” 

“I’m a doctor first,” she said, voice neutral despite the storm inside. Personal grudges don’t factor into treatment decisions.” 

“Then I’m coming with you,” Brandon said, tone brooking no argument. 

Wesley nodded. ‘Me too.” His voice was weak but determined–the most initiative he’d shown since starting treatment. 

Irene paused, then gave a curt nod. “Fine.” 

She scribbled a quick note for Joseph and the kids before heading out. No need for three curious children asking questions she couldn’t handle right now. 

The hospital corridor stretched like a gauntlet. At the far end, John paced while Nathan leaned against the wall, both looking like they’d aged years overnight. When Irene appeared, Nathan instinctively stepped forward, hope flashing across his face before dying on his lips. The words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. 

Irene acknowledged them with a barely perceptible nod, then walked straight to the changing room. Brandon and Wesley flanked her like bodyguards, neither sparing their father or brother a glance. 

The operating room was a symphony of urgent beeps and alarms. Base lay ghostly pale on the table, surrounded by machines fighting to keep her alive. Matthew and Katherine worked with practiced intensity, their focus absolute. 

Irene scrubbed in record time, snapped on gloves, and stepped up. “Talk to me.” 

“It’s bad,‘ Matthew said, relief washing over his face at seeing her. Her body’s fighting the new heart like it’s an enemy. Nothing we’re giving her is working.” 

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Chapter 232 

Katherine pointed at a screen Pressure’s dropping, heartbeat’s crazy irregular. There’s fluid around her heart. We need to get it out 

soon or 

Irene checked the numbers flashing on the screens, her gut telling her this was even worse than it looked. 

Fix her, then we’re done, she told herself. One last favor, then clean breuk. 

“I’ll direct, you two execute,” she said, voice steady despite the uncertainty flickering in her eyes, 

They worked as one organism for nearly an hour, Irene guiding them through adjustments, when Katherine suddenly called out, “Heartbeat dropping! We’re losing her!” 

Matthew scrambled with medications while alarms screamed higher. Rose’s vitals plummeted before their eyes. 

Irene watched for three critical seconds before something primal took over. “Move.” She stepped forward, hands suddenly steady as 

stone. “I’ve got this 

Her hands knew exactly what to–do–years of training taking over completely. Each move quick but never rushed. Bit by bit, Rose’s heart started beating more normally, the wild beeping of the machines calming down. 

For two more hours, they worked side by side–changing medicines, getting rid of the extra fluid, fixing one problem after another. By the end, all three were soaked with sweat, and even Irene’s perfect calm finally cracked as her hands shook just a little. 

John pushed off the wall when the doors swung open. Nathan froze, eyes glued to the doctors walking out. 

“Dr. Hayes,” John’s voice cracked. ‘Is she- 

“She’s okay,” Matthew said, looking dead tired. “We got it under control. With Irene taking charge, I wasn’t too worried–she can fix almost anything.” 

Nathan took a halting step toward Irene. “Thank you… I can’t imagine how hard this must have been…” 

Irene met his gaze head–on, no trace of emotion visible. “Don’t thank me. Consider it payment for nine months of pregnancy. As of today, we’re even. I don’t owe Sterling anything anymore.” 

As she spoke, something shifted in John’s face. Watching her walk toward that operating room earlier, he’d glimpsed her unwavering determination. Now, with Rose saved, something like regret carved new lines around his mouth. 

We threw away a daughter like that… The thought ambushed him. 

When Irene declared them “even,” it hit him like physical pain–some doors, once slammed shut, might never open again. 

Irene turned and walked away, Brandon and Wesley following close. Three backs, three spines straights steel, not one head turning for a backward glance. 

Nobody talked on the way home, each wrapped up in their own head until Wesley finally spoke up. 

“First time watching you work.” His voice was quiet. “You’re… incredible.” 

Irene just nodded, staring out at the trees going by. 

Once they were far enough from the hospital, Wesley leaned toward Brandon. ‘So what happened between her and the family? Seems like World War Three.” 

Brandon shot him a sidelong glance and sighed. “The unfixable kind. He laid it all out–Irene’s abandonment, Anna’s replacement, the exile after the triplets were born. 

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Chapter 232 

“Makes my blood boil every time I think about it,” Brandon said, knuckles white on the steering wheel. 

Wesley absorbed this, then shook his head slowly. “They lost their minds. A daughter like that…” 

“The past is dead,” Irene cut in from the back seat. “After today, there’s nothing connecting us anymore.” 

Wesley twisted to face her. “I get it. But you saved her today… showed more backbone than all of us combined. Whatever happens next, I’m with you.” 

Brandon nodded firmly. “For real. If it were me, I couldn’t have kept it together like that.” 

Back home, Irene curled into a corner of the window seat, untouched coffee growing cold beside her. Through the doorway, Joseph watched, worry etched into his face, but respected her need for silence. 

In the kitchen, three heads huddled together, whispers flying. 

“Mom needs serious cheering up,” Lily declared, lips set in determination. 

Alex pushed his glasses up. “Ocean World just opened that new dolphin show.” 

“And I heard Uncle Adam say he’s never been there,” Lucas added, eyes lighting up. 

The three exchanged looks, a plan crystallizing instantly. 

“Perfect!” they whispered together. “We can make Mom happy AND get them together!” 

Three sneaky smiles lit up their faces. The kids had no idea their simple trip to see some dolphins was about to set off fireworks nobody saw coming… 

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