Olivia Zane moved back into her parents’ home, while Nathan Moore went to work in Banyan City, leaving her alone at home, which felt lonelier than the spacious villa, and definitely less comfortable than her family home.
In the room, her mother Ariana Evans was dressed in home attire, a set of gray-blue loose-fitting clothes matched with an open-front knitted cardigan.
Her long hair was neatly tied behind her head. Had it not been for the cigarette constantly between her fingers, anyone would have thought her a virtuous and graceful woman.
"Lily, have you made up your mind?" Ariana Evans took another drag of her cigarette, exhaling the smoke with a sense of urgency. She had been on duty at the hospital all day without a chance to smoke.
"Dr. Smith is about to fly to T City. Are you going to keep delaying or are you ready to take a gamble?"
"Mom..." Olivia Zane rose from the chair in front of the vanity, walked over, and sat beside Ariana Evans, clutching her arm. Her slightly pouted lips showed her hesitance.
"How long can I hold on without the surgery?"
Ariana Evans blew out a puff of smoke and turned to look at her. "Maybe a year, maybe two, or perhaps even longer..." As hope began to flicker in Olivia Zane’s eyes, her mother took another drag and exhaled forcefully, "Or if there is any complication, you might not make it through a month."
Her lips pressed tightly together, the pinkish tint and the look of grievance that appeared when her lips were pursed were enough to stir the heart.
"Mom, what if the surgery isn’t successful?"
"Success or failure, either way, there’s a fifty-fifty chance."
Glancing at her daughter, Ariana Evans’s eyes were cold and unmoved, she was a rational doctor at this moment, not a hesitant and fearful mother.
"Mom... I’m scared..."
A fifty-fifty chance meant life and death hung in the balance. She was only twenty-six years old and had many wonderful experiences yet to enjoy. She didn’t want her life to end prematurely.
"You must face your fears regardless," said Ariana Evans sternly, "have you forgotten what the doctors said? Your heart can’t last till you’re thirty!"
She bit her lip, looking at her mother as if making her final decision. Just as her mother was about to extinguish her cigarette in the ashtray and stand up, Olivia suddenly spoke.
"Mom, I’ll follow your advice. I’ll do it when Dr. Smith comes!"
Ariana Evans turned back and saw her daughter’s resolute face. She raised her hand and gently patted it, "Don’t worry, Dr. Smith is currently the world’s leading cardiocerebral specialist. His expertise has already surpassed the boundaries of this field."
"Okay." Olivia Zane nodded firmly, deciding it was better to take a risk than to live in constant fear and dread.
Ariana Evans stood up and, before leaving the room, she reminded her daughter, "No more smoking from now on, it’s the worst thing for someone with a heart condition!"
"I know." Olivia Zane agreed reluctantly, thinking she was about to undergo surgery and suddenly wanted to call Nathan Moore to hear his voice.
She grabbed her phone and dialed Nathan Moore’s number.
Meanwhile in Banyan City, a man and woman continued their passionate embrace on the couch, where holding each other face to face was no longer satisfying.
With one hand cradling the woman’s head and the other supporting her back, even though the couch was soft and bouncy and wouldn’t hurt to fall on, Titus Zane carefully laid Titus Zane on the couch and covered her with his solid body.
The kiss continued, Nathan Moore’s well-defined fingers now resting on Titus Zane’s waist, the force of his kneading revealed his restraint...
Suddenly, the ring of a cellphone broke through, an abrupt interruption to the warm entanglement of the room.