Medical Center. In the Ward.
"Jack Weisman and Peter Weisman, 35 years old, conjoined at the back. They came to the hospital a year ago hoping for separation surgery, but after weighing the risks, they decided against it…"
Adam quickly briefed the patient's situation.
The room was packed with doctors.
Chief of Surgery Richard, Dr. Burke, Dr. Shepherd, and Dr. Sloan—they were all here.
"It was Peter who backed out!"
Jack, one of the twins, emphasized, "But I'm absolutely sure we can do it this time, right, Dr. Webber?"
"Forgive me for wanting to live a little longer, even if it's stuck with you," Peter, the other twin, said with a self-deprecating chuckle. 😅
"The risks haven't changed," Chief Richard said, making sure to distance himself from any blame first, as usual, before giving the patients a pep talk. "But unlike a year ago, our medical center now has two of the best doctors in the field.
One is a top neurosurgeon, Dr. Derek Shepherd!
And the other is a top plastic surgeon, Dr. Mark Sloan!
Jack, Peter, with both of them here, plus me and Dr. Burke, your chances of success are much higher.
You've come at the perfect time!"
"Thank God!" Jack exclaimed, overjoyed. "I believe this time it'll work. Everything, every little sign, is God telling me—it's time!"
"Huh?"
Everyone looked at him, confused. 🤔
But then, the door swung open, and a woman walked in. Suddenly, it all made sense.
Chief Richard's lips curled into an involuntary smile.
This meant the surgery was basically a done deal.
The media loves stories like this.
And he loves it when his surgical department gets the spotlight.
Love conquers all! 😏
"Oh, wow, so many doctors… I'll come back later…"
The woman who'd just entered froze, scanning the room full of people, clearly embarrassed, and turned to leave.
"No, Elena, come in," Jack called out, then turned to everyone. "You want to know why God's telling me it's now? This is why! God gave me my true love, Elena."
"Jack, stop!" Elena waved her hands awkwardly. "I told him not to do the surgery, especially not for me. That's just crazy…"
Adam flashed a mysterious smile.
Cristina was also holding back a laugh.
By now, the two of them had pieced together the whole story—especially the juicy drama. Oh, there was so much of it. 😏
"…Peter said the surgery could lead to paralysis, or they might die?" Elena asked, looking around at everyone.
"Death isn't the scary part," Jack interrupted. "You have no idea what it's like to be stuck to someone every single day. No personal space, no chance to own anything that's completely yours. That feeling—it's not much better than death."
"Stop it," Elena pleaded. "I think it's fine like this. Don't risk it."
"Fine?" Jack exploded. "We had an agreement! When one of us is on a date or eating, the other has to sit there quietly and not make a sound!"
"I tried," Peter shouted. "But the way you talk to her sometimes is just so half-hearted…"
"That's none of your business!" Jack snapped, annoyed.
"How is it not my business?" Peter shot back. "I was right there!"
"And that's your excuse for completely breaking all our agreements?!" Jack roared. "Then why even bother making them?! We said no looking, no talking, no touching! And you didn't stick to any of it!"
"It was an accident…" Peter mumbled, clearly guilty.
The doctors exchanged knowing glances.
Especially Mark Sloan, the resident flirt, who smirked with the same mischievous grin as Adam. 😏
"He was just looking out for me. I think it's fine," Elena tried to smooth things over.
"You can't talk to him anymore!" Jack yelled.
"What?" Elena couldn't believe it. "I don't even have the right to choose my own friends? Jack, I really don't mind."
"When you're undressed, and he touches you—how can you not mind?!" Jack was losing it.
"I really don't mind," Elena said, glancing at the doctors, who were trying their best to stay professional. She hesitated, embarrassed, but then decided to let her true feelings out. "It's not a big deal. Actually, I think it's kind of sweet…"
"Wait!" Jack stared at her, suddenly realizing she wasn't just saying this to smooth things over—she meant it. He froze. "You like that? You enjoy it?"
The room went from quiet to dead silent.
Everyone turned to Elena.
"I—I love you, Jack," Elena stammered, even after letting her guard down. Facing such a direct, soul-piercing question, with everyone's eyes on her, she struggled.
"You're an amazing man. When we're soaring in love, I've never felt anything like it before… It feels so good. And after you fall asleep, Peter talks to me—just talks. I really like that."
Everyone exchanged knowing looks.
Cristina's eyes were full of thought.
A lot of women complain that men are wild and passionate beforehand but turn into distant sages afterward.
But with Jack and Peter?
Elena didn't have to care about Jack being in his deepest, most zen-like state after. She could have Jack's wild passion and Peter's heart-to-heart talks at the same time.
Earlier, when Adam and the others ran into Meredith and shared this explosive gossip, she was so jealous.
Because her first thought was, if it were her, with a little gentle persuasion, she could win over both Jack and Peter. It'd be like having infinite energy—a "bankrupt version" of Adam.
No wonder Elena didn't mind… 😏
"No! No! No!" Jack shook his head, refusing to accept it. "Elena, you have to choose. Him or me?"
"What?" Elena was shocked.
This was the last thing she wanted to face.
The pain of being forced to choose as a kid came rushing back.
"We're doing this surgery. You can't have both of us!" Jack shouted.
Hmmm.
Even facing an Elena like this, Jack was only asking her to choose—not breaking up outright.
Was it true love? Or just path dependence?
Before, someone like him would've struggled to find a girlfriend. But meeting someone who didn't care about their situation? It was easy to fall head over heels.
But he forgot—if they did the surgery and he became "normal," he could have a completely normal relationship.
"Choose! Him or me?"
Facing a hesitant, pained Elena, Jack pressed harder. "You're supposed to say, 'You, Jack. I choose you!'"
"I'm sorry, Jack," Elena said, her eyes darting between the two of them, full of apology.
Adam shook his head.
Clearly, between mind and body, she chose the mind.
Maybe she thought she could have both.
Because Jack didn't have Peter's emotional connection, but a separated Peter could still have Jack's body.
But Adam wasn't optimistic about her choice.
Peter being emotionally supportive before didn't mean he'd be the same after.
If Adam had to guess, a separated Peter wouldn't necessarily do better than Jack.
Because Peter's emotional support before was built on the fact that he couldn't "let go and become a saint."
Back then, Peter was also in a wild state—just mentally. On the outside, it showed as extra gentleness and attentiveness, willing to talk to Elena until the end of time.
But…
A man's words are a liar's game!
Any man who can't "become a saint" acts like Peter, the perfect, attentive guy, don't they?
(End of Chapter)