Chapter 1 Heartbreak
"Clamp," Dr. Marcus Hale requested, extending his hand to receive it.
The operating theatre glowed under bright lights as three assistants worked alongside him.
"Hemostat."
"Suction tube."
"Dissector."
He called for each instrument as the procedure demanded, his focus razor-sharp. The emergency operation had come up suddenly, but it was essential to save the patient suffering from an acute gallbladder inflammation.
"What's his oxygen saturation level?" he asked while closing the final layer.
"Stable, doctor," the female assistant replied.
"Excellent. It was a successful procedure. Finish up and move him to the recovery ward. Inform his family that he should improve within the next three days, barring any complications," he instructed, glancing at the wall clock.
His eyes widened in disbelief. He quickly pulled off his surgical cap.
"See you later, team."
The theatre doors swung open as Dr. Marcus Hale dashed out like a man pursued. He hurried to his office to change out of his scrubs. Sweat soaked his back as he dressed.
How could he be late for her birthday party? He had been organizing it for months; it was her twenty-fifth birthday and she had been talking about it for months, stating how important the birthday is to her.
Marcus rushed out of the hospital and headed straight to the parking garage. He jumped into his car and sped off.
His phone began ringing nonstop. It was Elena, his wife, calling.
"Where are you?" she asked the moment he picked up.
"On my way, love. An emergency came up, but I’ll be there very soon," he answered quickly.
"It’s my birthday party! Must you always run late? We have less than thirty minutes before it starts! I’ve been waiting forever. And please, get me another flower bouquet on your way , I left mine in the dressing room." She hung up before he could mutter another statement.
He stepped on the accelerator, pushing the car to high speed until he reached a large boutique.
Marcus parked and walked in, heading directly to the receptionist.
"Hi, I’m Dr. Marcus Hale. I have an appointment with Victor," he introduced himself.
The receptionist checked her computer briefly, then led him inside.
Victor was already waiting.
"You’re late," he said.
"An emergency gallbladder case required my immediate attention," Marcus explained.
They shook hands, and Victor led him to the dressing area. His chosen outfit was ready. All he needed was to change and let Victor style his hair.
It was her special birthday celebration, after all. He wanted to look his best.
His phone kept ringing. This time it was Elena’s mother.
"I’ll be there shortly, Mom," he replied almost immediately he picked the call..
He had grown comfortable calling his mother-in-law “Mom,” and she seemed to enjoy it.
"Thank you," Marcus said to Victor once he was done. The stylist had given him a sharp new look.
He transferred the payment to Victor’s account.
On his way out, he stopped by the floral section to pick up a bouquet for his wife as requested.
Dr. Marcus Hale worked as a physician at the city hospital. He lived a modest life on a junior doctor’s salary while pursuing part-time studies to advance his career. Born into a humble family in a small village, his determination had brought him to the city where he now practiced medicine. He was still paying off the loan he had taken to buy his car.
He checked his reflection in the mirror one last time, satisfied with his appearance.
Today he would celebrate the woman who had captured his heart two years ago. It felt like a dream finally coming true.
When he arrived at the venue, he was stunned to see numerous luxury cars parked outside. The celebration looked far more extravagant than anything he had planned.
“We only invited a few close friends and family. I barely have any relatives except my uncle. Who are all these people? Did Elena change the venue or invite them without telling me?” he wondered as he approached the hall.
He noticed well-dressed elites entering. Their faces were unfamiliar.
His mouth fell open when he saw the lavish decorations. There was no way he could have afforded such an elaborate setup.
He paused at the entrance and tried calling Elena again. The phone rang twice, but she didn’t answer.
“She must be busy. Let me try Mom,” he thought, but got the same result.
Still holding the bouquet, Marcus noticed a large banner near the entrance. He walked closer without thinking.
The banner featured photos of Elena and his uncle, Reginald Thorpe, with bold text that read: “A New Beginning , Reginald & Elena.”
His body began to tremble. The bouquet slipped from his fingers and hit the ground.
“Np, this can’t be real. My eyes must be playing tricks,” he muttered, rubbing them repeatedly with his handkerchief.
But the images were clear. The couple posed intimately, smiling with obvious affection.
“Where did I go wrong? Elena spent last night with me, planning this birthday party together. My uncle even joined us for dinner and gave us a generous envelope as a gift. Was this planned all along?”
Tears stung his eyes, but he fought them back.
He needed to see it with his own eyes. Confusion clouded his face as he tried to enter the hall, only to be stopped by a stern bouncer.
“Can I see your invitation?” the man asked.
“Invitation?” Marcus repeated, dazed.
“This event is strictly by invitation only. If you don’t have one, I suggest you leave,” the bouncer warned.
Marcus stared at the imposing figure, knowing he stood no chance if things turned physical. He moved to a side window and peered inside.
At that moment, his uncle Reginald stood in the center of the hall, microphone in hand, with Elena beside him. The room had gone quiet
.
“Elena,” Reginald said warmly, dropping to one knee and pulling out a small velvet box, “from the moment I met you, I knew you were the one who truly understood me. Will you make me the happiest man alive and accept this ring as a symbol of our future together?”
Elena’s face lit up with a radiant smile.
“Yes, Reginald! A thousand times yes!”
The crowd erupted in applause as Reginald slipped the sparkling ring onto her finger and pulled her into a passionate kiss.
Marcus collapsed onto the ground in shock. With trembling hands, he loosened his tie so he could breathe.
“Why would she plan this celebration with me and then let my uncle propose to her like this?” he whispered in disbelief. “I spent everything I had organizing this for her. How could the two people I trusted most betray me like this?”
Still dazed, Marcus struggled to his feet just as Elena’s mother emerged from the hall, dress
ed elegantly with a smirk on her face.
“My daughter’s ex-husband,” she said mockingly.
His jaw dropped in utter shock.
