,

"Susie's surgery is a go, should be in the next couple of days!

" Fanny's voice boomed through the speakerphone as I had just activated it. Ernest immediately looked my way, and I nodded at him, affirming the great news.,

"Did they find a heart donor?

" Ernest inquired., There was a brief pause on Fanny's end before she quipped,

"What's Mr. Collins still doing over at my place this late, huh?

", She was clearly teasing Ernest, but now wasn't the time for jokes. I cut in,

"Cut it out, Fanny. Stick to the point.

", Fanny chuckled before explaining,

"No new donor. It's about the donor we discussed earlier; the family had a change of heart, no pun intended.

",

"What did Yates say about it?

" Ernest pressed her for more.,

"He mentioned Susie's test results are all promising. As long as there's no sudden complications or infections like a cold, she can have the surgery within three days,

" Fanny confidently relayed, obviously having discussed this with Yates., Both Ernest and I were visibly moved by the news, with Ernest's forehead veins pulsating. I grasped his hand before he questioned Fanny further,

"Is there anything else we need to do on Yates' end?

",

"Nope,

" Fanny replied, then quickly corrected herself,

"Actually, yes. Make sure you have the surgery funds ready.

", I glanced at Ernest and swiftly reassured,

"Don't worry, we've got the surgery costs fully covered. We won't be in debt to your hospital.

", “All right, then I'll let you go,

" Fanny said, and we thought she'd hang up, but then she threw in, “Oh, Mr. Collins, Licia says you two should sleep separately since she's on her period.

", Ernest and I were both speechless., The prospect of Susie's surgery had us both elated and anxious, as any operation carries its risks., That night, neither of us slept well., Before dawn, Ernest was already up, and soon I heard the clatter of pots and pans in the kitchen. He was making breakfast., If I wasn't mistaken, there'd be a portion for Susie too., I also got up, spent a moment gazing out the window before checking my phone. I accepted a request from Officer Sampson added yesterday, though he hadn't messaged me anything. What was heup to, just wanting to increase his friends' list? Talk about being bored., I lost myself staring at his profile picture for a moment, then moved on to check social media., I noticed an update from Jefferson Daniels at a billiards training center, liked it, and commented,

"Need tickets.

", Somehow, Ernest knew I was awake. While I was browsing, he came in with a glass of warm water., Handing it over, he said, “I made porridge. How about we take it to the hospital for breakfast with Susie?

", I smiled, saying,

"I guessed as much. Of course, we can.

", Ernest playfully fixed my messy hair,

"Mrs. Collins, we're getting more in tune by the day.

",

"Ernest, I believe Susie will be fine. Yates wouldn't proceed if he wasn't confident,

" I reassured him., Nodding, Ernest caressed my face,

"Finish up and get ready. I'll pack the breakfast.

", As I stood by the window after, getting up, my gaze fell upon several, cigarette butts scattered on the, ground below - leftovers from, Conrad's visit last night., He was back, and he had come here., Yet, he didn't seek me out, probably because he saw me with Ernest., Arriving at the hospital, which was unusually quiet due to the early hour, my, a lone, figure outside. Content bebet, was captured b, It was Mack, standing at the hospital entrance, his gaze fixed on the sky, embodying a silent sorrow.,

"Hold on,

" I told Ernest, pointing him towards Mack., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.