The Devil's Sweetheart

*Chapter is not edited*

In the room full of doctors, Heather confidently strolled into the room. 

''Do you have a better choice, Doctor Lucas?'' Taking her seat, Heather spoke up in a relatively calm voice. Her voice may remain calm and composed outside, but internally her heart was drumming in fear. On one side, her son-in-law is battling with life and death, and on the other side, her daughter is wailing in agony. 

''Doctor Heather, I didnot want to offend you.'' Replying calmy, Lucas turned to the other doctors. ''Every CardioSurgeon sitting here is skilled and experienced, yet we couldn't identify the bullet's exact location even after performing a transthoracic echocardiogram. You have not practiced medicine for two decades, and we cannot entrust an inexperienced doctor for major surgery. Do you now understand the potential of Devin's case? We are trying to reach out to a dedicated thoracic radiologist to interpretation_.''

''Doctor Lucas, we don't have time for interpretation,'' Heather's voice pressed on the subject as she spoke. ''Lead intoxication is fatal. Its traces will soon travel to the other parts and slowly poison Devin's organs if we keep delaying. He doesn't have much time. We need to operate on him as soon as possible. If you haven't found the traces through a CT scan, why didn't you try Fluoroscopy?'' It was a question Heather posed to all the doctors.

Heather's vision has blown everyone's mind. They knew Fluoroscopy would confirm the exact location, but they were too muddle-headed to interpret with the thoracic radiologist that they forgot to think about Fluoroscopy.

Ignoring their surprised stances, Heather turned to the chief Doctor. ''Doctor Lynch, let's do the Fluoroscopy early in the morning to speculate the bullet's exact location. I am volunteering myself to perform the surgery on Devin. Allow me to be the lead surgeon.''

''I disagree with this proposal, Doctor Lynch.'' Lucas instantly denied. ''Heather doesn't know the in and out of Devin's_.''

''I approve Heather as the lead Surgeon, and the discussion ends here.'' Doctor Lynch declared and got up to leave before signaling Heather to follow her.

....

''Where is Leena?'' Arthur asked in a low whisper. His energy has wholly drained out, witnessing his grandson on the hospital bed. He wondered why he survived the heart attack.

''She lost consciousness due to exhaustion. But she will be fine.'' Harley said. The happy atmosphere she has seen a week back has gone all of a sudden.

''It must have taken a serious toll on her,'' Fredrick said and turned to Evelyn. ''Can you go and check with Heather if they located the bullet?''

Before Evelyn moved further, Heather arrived with Doctor Lynch.

''The bullet might not be stable at the moment. We will perform Fluoroscopy early in the morning to see the exact location.'' Heather and Doctor Lynch explained about the unusual complication due to lead poisoning wounds. Evelyn, and Fredrick, were paralyzed on the spot like terror sucked every breath out of them. 

''My son! Why did he have to suffer, Francis!''

''Rick, please don't lose hope! Devin will be alright.'' France tried to console his friend, but Nothing of his assurances reassured him.

"Brother!'' Like a baby, he hugged Harley and mumbled incoherently, choking his sobs. The sounds of wailing and suffering echoed throughout the corridors.

By the time it was evening, Austin, Wilbur, Andrew, Jasper, and Kurt, stayed back, and the rest others were sent home by force. Despite everyone's protest, the five friends didnot let them stay back here.

The corridor has turned into a crying mess since morning, and they don't want another one falling sick.

 ''Did you find any clue, Kurt?'' Jasper asked.

''Let's not talk about it now.'' He said, looking at Devin over the glass window. His mind is in a mess to concentrate on the criminal. Kurt was running in sheer anger seeing Devin on the bed with tubes all over his body. ''Whoever it is, I will make them pay the price in installments.''

''Did Axel tell you_.''

Wilbur's voice suddenly died down when he saw a familiar figure approaching them. ''Ethan?'' It was not only Wilbur, but all the five friends went in shock.

''How is he?'' Ethan questioned, ignoring their surprised expressions. Just because he is not on talking terms, did they have to give a bewildered by his presence? Ethan couldn't sit still when he saw the news about Devin's accident. A part of him knows that he considers Devin as a friend, but his ego wouldn't allow it. But today, he broke the barriers.

''Doctors are still examining,'' Wilbur explained. During the most challenging times of one's life, we see the true colors of people. Not even in his dreams, Wilbur expected to see Ethan here. There is something about Devin that made him one star to shine with a million that went unnoticed.

''How is Leena?'' Ethan asked with hesitation as he took a seat. He hoped to see her, but at the same time, he was scared that she would give a cold shoulder. Already she would be in agony, and he doesn't want to add more distress appearing in front of her. While Andrew, Austin, and Kurt were pondering if Ethan had any relationship with Leena.

''She is a little disturbed,'' Wilbur stated. A while ago, he couldn't see her going berserk like a mad girl. So, he told the nurse to sedate her. At least she can sleep peacefully for a while. While everyone was talking, Andrew slipped out of the place to check on Leena's condition.

''Devin..please don't leave me..'' Andrew heard Leena's incoherent mumbles as he stepped into the room where Leena was lying on the bed; Color drained out of her face crying from the morning. 

''Nothing will happen to Vincy. Stay strong, sister.'' Andrew patted her head, settling next to her.

....

In the middle of the night, Leena woke up at a shot when she remembered Devin. When she looked over the surroundings, she saw Andrew's head resting on her bed. Helping herself, Leena slowly walked out to Devin's place.

Resting her head on the door where Devin was laid on the bed, Leena hugged her knees, burying her face deep into it. Her body and mind were so tangled that she didnot notice a man until she heard someone calling her name. When she lifted her head, she saw it was her mysterious friend.

''Hi Leena, How are you?'' With a smile, Enger asked. ''I heard it in the news about Devin's injury. I am sorry.'' His heart hurt to see Leena cry over some other man and added that he is solely responsible for agony, it pained him. Enger made a vow to turn her sorrow into happiness soon. 

Half-smiling at him, Leena turned her head to the other side. The more people tried to console her, her grievance intensified.

''Stay strong, Leena.'' When he didnot get a response from Leena, Enger raised his hand to touch her, but his happiness was short-lived when a strong hand blocked it. Enger swallowed down his frustration when he saw who it was.

''Who are you?'' Kurt asked in suspicion. His face looked familiar, but Kurt couldn't remember where exactly he has seen him. Leena turned her head, and when she saw Enger closely sitting next to her, she moved away from him.

''I am Leena's friend,'' Enger's blood boiled internally. When he thought he could have a quality time with her, at least, another bastard popped up. 

''Do you know him, Leena?'' Kurt asked, looking at Leena.

''He is my friend,'' Leena said, not going into the details.

''Take care, Leena. I will take my leave.'' His face softened seeing her face. He wanted to spend time with her, but it's not the time. 

''Okay.''

Kurt dubiously looked at the retreating figure. Many questions swirled on his mind, but for now, he kept the thought aside and turned to Leena.

''You haven't eaten anything since morning.'' Kurt handed her the dinner box. ''Eat it.''

''I am not hungry.'' She said.

''Didn't you tell your Devin doesn't like you starv_''

Not before Kurt's words ended, Leena immediately grabbed the box from him.

''Did you find the criminal?'' She asked in a whisper. It was a dumb question to ask. The person has put a lot of investment into trying to kill Devin. Sure, they must have eliminated the evidence also.

''We are still investigating. It was all pre-planned to kill Devin.'' Kurt said. When he contacted Axel, he told about the problems they underwent while coming home. It was planned perfectly that none of the things would have planted a doubt of seed to Devin.

Leena silently clenched her fists. How she wished to kill if the person was in front of her.

...

The following day, everybody was waiting at the operating room, waiting for Heather.

''We have performed the fluoroscopy, and identified the bullet is sitting at the midline, and in the region of Devin's heart,'' Taking a deep breath, she said. ''We have to operate him urgently.'' 

Evelyn silently sobbed. She knew what Heather meant. A very less chance of survival.

''W_hat's is his survival rate?'' Leena asked, her voice stammered.

''Less than 30%.. I_I need your consent to start with the surgery."