Nicole
It was getting late.
Mom seemed concerned that I had to be at work early the next morning, so she pretended to yawn dramatically and stretched her arms.
"Looks like I need to call it a night," she said, checking the clock with exaggerated movements. "You should head back too, Nicole. Don't want our star surgeon falling asleep during tomorrow's procedures."
I smiled, recognizing her subtle consideration despite her own condition. Even now, she was putting my needs first.
After saying our goodbyes, I drove back to Alpha Damien's estate, my mind still processing everything.
The following days at Moonwatch Medical Center were brutal.
I performed three back-to-back surgeries on Wednesday—one of which was a particularly challenging spinal reconstruction on a young w
