CHAPTER 2
# CHAPTER 2
## THE SURGEON'S FIRST WORDS TURNED THE ENTIRE LOBBY SILENT
The chief physician's leather shoes echoed steadily on the marble floor.
He wasn't in a hurry.
But each step he took seemed to weigh down the entire hall.
Connor's demeanor changed instantly.
He adjusted his tie and offered a polite smile.
"Doctor..."
"Excuse me for what just happened."
"This man was trying to interfere with my mother's treatment."
"He's not a family member."
Robert remained silent.
He bent down to pick up the toothbrush that had rolled out of his bag.
The old bag was covered in dust.
The doctor didn't answer Connor.
He just looked down at the bag, then at Robert.
A hint of worry flickered in his eyes.
"Are you alright?"
Robert smiled faintly.
"I'm fine."
Connor immediately interrupted.
"Doctor."
"I'm her biological son."
"From now on, I'll be responsible for all decisions regarding my mother."
A few nurses exchanged glances.
They all recognized Connor.
But not because he frequently visited the hospital.
But because...
They had hardly ever seen him.
For months Margaret had been on dialysis.
The person always sitting beside her...
was Robert.
Connor was completely unaware of that.
He continued to raise his voice.
"I want him out of here immediately."
The doctor remained calm.
"Are you sure?"
Connor frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm just protecting my mother."
"I don't want outsiders around."
That one sentence...
It darkened the doctor's eyes.
He slowly asked,
"The past three weeks..."
"How many times has the transplant coordinator called you?"
Connor paused.
"..."
"I've been very busy."
"My work doesn't allow..."
"Do you know how many times a week your mother has to undergo dialysis?"
Connor didn't answer.
A drop of sweat began to roll down his temple.
"Do you know how many months she's been waiting?"
Connor clenched his hands.
"I..."
"I know your mother's condition."
The doctor shook his head.
"No."
"You don't know."
"Because if you knew..."
"You wouldn't be standing here doing this."
The atmosphere became stifling.
Even the security guard didn't dare speak.
Connor began to lose patience.
"Doctor."
"Are you blaming me?"
"I just wanted to get rid of someone who wasn't involved."
Just then...
A woman in a Red Cross uniform approached.
She looked at Connor for a long time.
Then she asked softly,
"Do you really think..."
"Robert isn't involved?"
Connor chuckled.
"Yes."
"He's only her second husband."
"And I..."
"...am your mother's flesh and blood."
The woman tightened her grip on the file in her hand.
Her eyes were filled with compassion.
But not for Robert.
But for Connor.
Because she knew...
In just a few minutes...
This young man would have to face a truth that would leave him with no hope of ever raising his head again.
The doctor turned to Robert.
"Mr. Hale..."
"All procedures are complete."
Robert nodded slightly.
"Okay."
He picked up his bag.
He slowly walked towards the operating room door.
Connor immediately blocked his way.
"No one is allowed in!"
"I haven't given permission!"
For the first time...
The doctor's eyes turned icy cold.
He looked directly at Connor.
Then he said something that silenced the entire hall.
"You..."
"...have no right to stop this man."
Connor chuckled.
"Why?"
The doctor slowly raised the sealed file.
"Because today..."
"...he didn't come here to visit your mother."
He paused.
Everyone's eyes were on Robert.
Connor also began to sense that something was wrong.
But he still didn't know...
May you like
The man he had just insulted in front of the entire hospital...
was the very man who would be entering the operating room with his mother.
