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< Chapter 312-The Timing Couldn’t Have Been Worse
Chapter 312: The Timing Couldn’t Have Been Worse
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Jaime’s room had already been prepared by the time they arrived, and from that point forward, everything began moving much faster.
After changing into a hospital gown, Jaime settled into bed while Emily and Sophia began his preoperative preparations.
They checked his blood pressure, temperature, oxygen saturation, and other vital signs before placing electrodes against his chest and connecting them to the monitors beside the bed. An IV line was also started in his arm for fluids and medications.
Blood was drawn for the remaining preoperative tests, and over the next several hours, other members of his medical team came through the room.
Dr. Nakamura explained what would happen once Jaime entered the operating room, including how he would be placed under general anesthesia and continuously monitored throughout the procedure.
Dr. Anderson came in soon after to review the transplant one final time and answer any remaining questions they might have.
Maya remained beside him through all of it while everyone else stayed outside, giving the medical team enough room to work without crowding Jaime’s room.
Every now and then, Dahlia, Alice, or Cecilia would come in to check on him and see how he was doing before quietly stepping back out.
As the morning passed, however, Maya found herself checking her phone more frequently.
There was still no message from Damien.
Even Jaime eventually noticed how often she was checking her phone.
“May, stop worrying,” he said. “It’s Damien. He always finds a way, remember? If he said he’s coming, he’ll- get here.”
Maya looked at her brother and managed a small smile. “Since when are you the one reassuring me?”
Jaime shrugged. “Since you started checking your phone every five minutes.”
She let out a quiet laugh, but it did little to settle the worry lingering inside her.
She knew Damien was doing everything possible to get there. Somewhere above the clouds, he was racing against time to reach them.
But that knowledge dis little to ease her growing anxiety, especially after what Harper had told her.
The timing couidn’t have been worse.
The day had started with clear skies, only for news to suddenly break that a typhoon over the Pacific had unexpectedly changed course and was now heading toward Japan.
Harper had quickly assured her that Jaime’s surgery wouldn’t be affected. The estate had its own backup
< Chapter 312: The Timing Couldn’t Have Been Worse
+25 Points
power system, more than capable of keeping the entire property running even if the surrounding area lost electricity.
Knowing that gave Maya at least one less thing to worry about.
Outside the estate, however, conditions around Tokyo were already worsening. Flights were being disrupted, and some of their aviation systems were experiencing problems.
More worrying was that they had lost track of Damien’s aircraft.
The last tracking data they received showed that his plane had already entered Japanese airspace and appeared to be heading toward the worsening weather before disappearing from their system.
Maya felt increasingly overwhelmed, her mind torn between Jaime’s approaching surgery and the uncertainty surrounding Damien’s whereabouts and safety.
Outside the windows, the sky had grown darker. Rain fell harder against the glass as the wind picked up, followed by the distant rumble of thunder.
Every time footsteps passed outside Jaime’s room, she instinctively looked toward the door, hoping it would finally be him.
Eleven o’clock came and went, followed by eleven thirty, and still Damien hadn’t arrived.
Shortly before noon, Nurse Sophia returned with the results of Jaime’s final tests, and Maya immediately rose from her chair.
“How is everything?”
Sophia gave her à reassuring smile. “Everything looks/good. His final results came back exactly where we need them to be, so we’re cleared to proceed.”
Maya released a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. “No problems?”
“None. The surgical team has already been notified, and they’re preparing the operating room now.”
Jaime lifted his head from the pillow. “So this is really happening?”
Sophia turned toward him with a smile. “It is.”
For once, Jaime didn’t immediately respond with a joke.
Nurse Daniel Park entered shortly afterward with another member of the medical team and began preparing the bed for transport.
“We’ll be taking him to the operating room soon,” Daniel explained. “You still have a little time with him, but we need to start getting everything ready.”
Once Daniel left the room, the others slowly began filing in. With only a little time remaining before Jaime would be taken to the operating room, everyone wanted a chance to see him, offer a few words of encouragement, and make sure he knew they would all be waiting for him when he came back.
Jaime, of course, responded to most of their concern the only way he knew how-with jokes and repeated assurances that he was going to be fine.
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< Chapter 312-he Timing Couldn’t Have Been Worse
In the middle of it all, Dahlia’s phone began to ring.
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She glanced at the screen and smiled. “Jaime, there are a few more people who want to talk to you.”
“Who?”
Dahlia answered the video call before turning the screen toward him.
Dominic, Charles, and Eleanor appeared on the other side.
“There he is!” Charles immediately exclaimed.
Jaime grinned. “Shouldn’t you guys be sleeping?”
It was already close to eleven at night for them, but all three had stayed awake just to speak with Jaime before his surgery.
“We wanted to see you before they take you in,” Dominic said.
“Well, you made it just in time,” Jaime said. “They’re about to take me away.”
“And bring you back with a brand-new heart,” Eleanor reminded him.
Jaime smiled. “That’s the plan! You still have to teach me your secret to growing those sweet oranges,
Grandma Eleanor.”
Eleanor laughed. “Of course, sweetheart!”
“And don’t forget,” Charles cut in. “I’m still holding you to that chess match.”
“Absolutely!” Jaime grinned. “And you better be ready to lose, Grandpa Charles.”
Charles laughed. “New heart or not, kid, it’s not going to make you any better at chess.”
“We’ll see about that!” Jaime shot back.
Their playful exchange brought another round of laughter into the room. Maya watched quietly from beside his bed, grateful for every smile and laugh they managed to pull from her brother.
Having so many people surrounding him with love and encouragement made the situatisi feel a little less frightening.
As the laughter settled, Dominic looked at Jaime more seriously.
“You’ve got this, kid. We’ll be waiting for the call when you wake up.”
Jaime nodded, his smile still there. “I know. Thank you.”
A short distance away, Cecilia watched with warmth and quiet envy. She was grateful Maya and Jaime had people who cared for them so deeply, but she couldn’t help wishing she shared that same relationship with them.
For now, simply having the chance to be close to them would have to be enough.
The call soon ended, and the next few minutes passed with quiet conversation as everyone remained
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.