A crowd had gathered, a restless constellation of nurses, residents, and administrators, their scrubs a patchwork of blues, greens, and pinks under the fluorescent lights.
They stood in a loose semicircle, faces etched with anticipation, eyes locked on Devon as if he were an oracle about to deliver a verdict. The surgery a grueling three hour battle to repair a catastrophic aortic dissection and complete a triple coronary artery bypass graft had held them captive, their vigil unbroken despite aching feet and skipped breaks. Among them stood Helena, her scrub cap discarded, her chestnut hair disheveled, her eyes swollen and red-rimmed from hours of silent tears. Sophie hovered at her side, her blonde ponytail slightly askew, her expression a mix of worry and cautious hope as she steadied her friend with a gentle hand on her shoulder.
