Chapter 555 Heartbeats in Silence: The Transplant No One Must Discover
"Mommy, you've been here all night without eating or drinking," Andy said gently. "Daddy's still unconscious, and you look like you're about to collapse. Let us watch over him while you get some rest."
"No, you're just children. I should be the one watching over Ethan," Ashley insisted.
Landon placed a hand on her shoulder. "Ashley, you can't go on like this. What if Ethan wakes up only to find you've passed out from exhaustion? Wouldn't that just worry him more? Please, eat something and rest. We'll keep watch, and we'll call you the moment anything changes."
Ethan had been unconscious all night. Early the next morning, the White family arrived at the hospital to find Ashley still stationed outside his room, gazing at him through the glass with unwavering attention. She looked haggard, the food they'd left for her the night before completely untouched. It was clear she couldn't continue like this much longer.
"How can I possibly sleep when Ethan hasn't woken up?" Ashley said, her eyes never leaving her husband's still form.
"You need to eat something at least," Landon urged. "Look at yourself—you're so exhausted you look like a ghost. Ethan might not even recognize you when he wakes up."
Ashley turned to him in alarm, touching her face. "Do I really look that bad?"
"Yes, absolutely terrible. Please eat something, clean up, and rest. We'll keep watch here."
Though not exactly ugly, exhaustion had aged Ashley's appearance by a decade.
"Landon, promise you'll call me immediately if he wakes up," she insisted.
"Of course. Now go."
Ashley sat just outside Ethan's room to eat. Unable to be at his bedside, staying close was her only comfort. Though the food smelled good, she had little appetite and only managed a few bites before closing the container.
"Landon, I'm going to my room to rest," she said, suddenly aware she hadn't showered in days.
"Good."
She cast one last lingering look at Ethan before reluctantly leaving.
While washing her dishes at a sink in the hallway, Ashley overheard two doctors talking nearby.
"Has the matching heart been found for that patient?" one asked.
"Yes, it's being transported now. Should arrive within the hour," the other replied.
"For such a major surgery, family signatures are normally required. But he signed all the consent forms before losing consciousness—even prepared a will. What a remarkable man, taking on everything himself."
"Indeed. Men with that kind of responsibility are rare these days."
A loud clatter interrupted them as Ashley dropped her utensils into the sink. The doctors turned to her in surprise.
"Doctors," Ashley asked, her voice trembling, "the patient you're discussing—is it Ethan in the ICU?"
Her heart pounded with fear.
"Oh—your husband is scheduled for surgery in an hour," one doctor clarified quickly, "but it's not a heart transplant. Don't worry too much."
"That's right," the other added, "the patient named Ethan needs another procedure in an hour. You should prepare yourselves." With that, both doctors hurried away.
Why would Ethan need another surgery? Could it be a heart transplant after all? Ashley couldn't shake her growing unease.
She rushed back to the ICU waiting area, container in hand.
"Ashley, why are you back?" Landon asked. "I thought you were going to rest."
"The doctors said Ethan needs surgery in an hour. I couldn't leave—I need to be here with him."
"All right. At least try to nap in the chair. I'll wake you when it's time."
"Okay."
The siblings sat in the public seating area, their expressions grave.
Andy and Nate stood on chairs to see through the glass window. Their hearts ached at the sight of their father looking so vulnerable.
"Andy, how long until Daddy wakes up?" Nate asked.
"I don't know. The doctors said he needs another surgery soon. Maybe he'll wake up after that."
Nate pressed his hands together in prayer. "Daddy, please wake up soon. We promise we won't be naughty anymore. We'll listen to everything you say."
Ashley, pretending to doze against Landon's shoulder, felt her heart break hearing the children's words. Her eyelashes fluttered, and a tear rolled down her cheek onto Landon's hand.
Feeling the wetness, Landon sighed and gently rubbed her back. "Ashley, don't cry. Everything will be all right."
Her lips trembled. "Yes... I believe it will."
Everyone waited in silence, praying for Ethan's recovery.
An hour later, Ethan was wheeled into the operating room while Ashley and the others kept vigil outside.
The waiting was excruciating. During this time, Ashley noticed two doctors carrying a special container into the operating room, their expressions serious. Her anxiety immediately peaked.
"Landon," she whispered urgently, "that doctor just took a box into the operating room. Do you know what could be inside it?"
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