The Surgical Drama of the Drama Queen

The moment the words left Ailine’s lips—

“I don’t want to have the surgery.”

The air inside the VVIP room froze instantly.

For a split second, no one moved.

Then, the next second, Owen exploded.

“What do you mean?” His voice rose sharply, almost hitting the ceiling. “You agreed last night. The schedule is set. The team is ready. Why are you changing your mind all of a sudden?!”

Ailine curled slightly on the bed. Not out of fear—more like… restlessness. She bit her lower lip, her eyes darting everywhere except at the people in the room.

Dr. Lisa frowned.

Emma stopped chewing whatever snack she had somehow acquired.

Ailine’s parents exchanged looks, their hearts tightening at the same time.

“Ailine,” her mother spoke softly, forcing calm into her voice, “why, dear? Tell Mom why you suddenly changed your mind.”

Ailine took a deep breath.

A very, very deep breath.

Then, in a quiet but clear voice, she said,

“I… I’m scared.”

Owen exhaled sharply, trying to rein himself in. “Being scared is normal. But this is a surgery that must be done. Your tumor—”

“That’s not it!” Ailine cut in quickly.

Everyone fell silent.

Ailine covered her face with both hands, then spoke in a voice that sounded dangerously close to whining.

“I… I’m scared of being stripped naked.”

……

………

…………

Silence.

An unnatural, suffocating silence.

Emma froze, her expression stuck on loading.

Ailine’s father blinked twice, as if checking whether his hearing was malfunctioning.

Her mother covered her mouth, caught between shock and holding back laughter.

Dr. Lisa stiffened for two full seconds before clearing her throat softly.

And Owen?

Owen looked like he’d just taken a critical hit straight to the brain.

“You… what?” he asked quietly, disbelief dripping from every syllable.

“I’ve never been naked in front of other people,” Ailine peeked through her fingers. “I’m embarrassed. I’m scared.”

Several nurses exchanged quick looks, then immediately put on their most professional expressions.

Dr. Lisa finally spoke, her voice calm yet firm. “Miss Su, medical procedures are performed according to strict standards. Your privacy will be protected. There is no intention beyond saving your life.”

The nurses behind her nodded in unison.

“We are professionals, Miss,” one of them added. “Even if you are a superstar, in our eyes, you are a patient whose safety comes first.”

Owen dragged a hand down his face in frustration. “It’s not… not like what you’re imagining.”

Ailine went quiet.

For a moment, everyone thought… that was it.

But it wasn’t.

She slowly lowered her hands. Her eyes were glassy.

“And then…” her voice trembled, “after surgery, there will be scars, right?”

Owen turned his head. “…”

“There will be scars. Scars that might never go away.” Ailine looked down at her chest, her fingers clutching the blanket. “I’ll be ugly. I’ll be… imperfect.”

The room fell silent again.

“If I’m ugly…” her voice dropped even lower, “if I lose my confidence… if one day no one wants me…”

Her chest rose and fell rapidly.

“Who would want to marry a defective woman like me?”

The words fell like a hammer.

Ailine’s father immediately stepped forward.

Her mother’s eyes filled with tears.

Emma pressed her lips together hard.

But before anyone could speak—

Owen stepped forward.

“One step.”

“ME.”

Every head snapped toward him.

“I will marry you,” Owen said loudly, firmly, without a trace of hesitation. “If that’s what you’re afraid of.”

Ailine stared at him.

Her tear-filled eyes slowly… sparkled.

“Really?” Her voice instantly brightened.

“Yes.”

“Promise!”

“I promise.”

“Don’t you dare lie! There are plenty of witnesses!”

“I won’t.”

Instantly, Ailine broke into a wide smile.

“Okay!” she said enthusiastically. “Let’s go! To the operating room!”

“WHAT?!” everyone shouted in unison.

Before anyone could process what was happening, Ailine had already climbed out of bed, dragged her IV stand along, and—casually—grabbed Owen’s hand.

“Come on,” she said cheerfully. “We don’t want to be late.”

Owen stared. “Wait—Lin—”

She had already taken a step forward.

Emma slapped her own forehead. “Good grief… what kind of patient is this? A tornado?”

Ailine’s father massaged his temples. “My child… truly defies logic.”

Her mother covered her face, laughing softly through tears. “Dear God… I don’t remember giving birth to a fox.”

Dr. Lisa let out a long sigh, then smiled faintly. “Well then… it seems the patient’s motivation has been found.”

Everyone could only sweet drop at the sight—

A superstar with an IV stand in hand, dragging a genius surgeon along with a happy smile, as if they were heading out on a date…

when their destination was actually the operating room.

And Owen?

Owen could only surrender—

while holding Ailine’s hand tightly,

because he realized one thing:

For this woman…

logic always lost—badly.

But… wait.

Why did it suddenly feel like he’d just walked straight into a trap?

For the first time in history, a patient walked into the operating room on her own feet, IV stand in tow, while holding hands with the surgeon who was also her future husband.

---

The corridor leading to the operating room felt colder than usual.

The white lights stretched endlessly overhead, glowing without shadows, making every footstep sound more real than it should have. Ailine walked slowly, one hand gripping the IV stand, the other holding onto Owen tightly—like she was afraid he would disappear if she let go for even a second.

“Lin, slow down,” Owen said quietly.

“I’m fine,” Ailine replied quickly, though her fingers tightened their grip.

“Give me the IV. I’ll carry it.”

“I’m still strong.”

“Don’t argue.”

Ailine obediently let go. Owen took over the IV stand.

The nurses walking ahead exchanged glances. Some smiled softly. Others pretended to be serious. This was the first time they had seen a patient walk into surgery voluntarily—hand in hand with a doctor who clearly wasn’t the primary operator.

It was obvious this scene would become gossip.

Ailine didn’t care about her image anymore. All that mattered was being with Owen—to hell with whatever headlines might explode later.

Owen himself had more or less given up resisting. What mattered was that Ailine was willing to undergo surgery and recover. The same hope was shared by her parents, Emma, and Layla.

Anything—for Ailine’s survival.

Not long after, the operating room doors opened.

Cold air rushed out immediately. Ailine, Owen, and the medical staff entered, while her parents and the others waited outside.

Inside, a man in his early sixties stood wearing surgical attire. His posture was straight, his hair lightly graying, his gaze sharp yet calm—authority without needing to raise his voice.

“Dr. William Chen,” he said, turning.

Owen straightened instantly. “Doctor.”

Ailine looked at the man nervously. “You’re the one who will… operate on me?”

Dr. William nodded calmly. “Yes. I will be leading your surgery.”

Ailine reflexively grabbed Owen’s hand. “I want Owen.”

The room fell silent. It was, frankly, an inappropriate request.

Owen turned to her, his expression gentle but serious. “Ailine, listen to me.”

“I trust you,” she said quickly. “I just… I just want you.”

Owen exhaled softly and bent slightly so their eyes were level. “I am a surgeon. But Dr. William is my mentor. His skills are far superior to mine. If I were the primary surgeon, it would mean I was being selfish—and my personal feelings could affect my performance.”

Ailine shook her head, tears gathering again. “I just don’t want to be alone.”

Dr. William observed them quietly. Then he cleared his throat.

“Owen,” he said calmly, with undeniable authority. “You stay.”

Owen froze. “Doctor?”

“Not as the primary operator,” Dr. William continued. “You will assist. And… stay with her. If that brings my patient peace, I have no objection.”

The nurses turned quickly. That was a rare decision—deeply personal.

Owen looked at Dr. William, silent for several seconds, then nodded firmly. “Thank you, Doctor.”

Ailine released a long breath. Her tense shoulders finally relaxed. “Really?”

Owen smiled faintly. “I’m here.”

Ailine smiled back. “Don’t go anywhere.”

“I promise.”

The curtain was drawn.

Owen prepared according to protocol. The nurses helped Ailine onto the operating table. The atmosphere shifted—quieter, more professional. The surgical lights turned on.

“Miss Su,” a female nurse said gently, “we will prepare you now.”

Ailine swallowed. Her hand instinctively searched for Owen.

“I’m here,” Owen said immediately, taking her hand. “Just look at me.”

As her surgical gown was prepared, Ailine closed her eyes. Her heart raced—not from pain, but from the lingering embarrassment that haunted her.

“I’m scared,” she whispered.

“What are you afraid of?” Owen asked softly.

“Being naked… I’ve never… in front of others.”

Owen didn’t laugh.

Didn’t dismiss it.

“That’s normal,” he said honestly. “But listen to me. No one here sees you as a body. What we see is a patient. A life.”

Ailine slowly opened her eyes.

“And me,” Owen continued, his voice lower, “I see you as Ailine. Always.”

Dr. William signaled to the anesthesia team. “We begin.”

“Miss Su, stay strong! Everything will be fine!” Dr. Lisa said sincerely before leaving the operating room.

“Thank you, Dr. Lisa…”

The anesthesia mask was brought closer.

“Take a deep breath,” the anesthesiologist instructed.

Ailine squeezed Owen’s hand tightly. “You’re really here, right?”

Owen squeezed back, harder. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Her breathing slowed. Her eyelids fluttered, then slowly closed.

“I’m entrusting my life to you…” she murmured.

Owen leaned down, close to her ear.

“I’ll guard it.”

And Ailine drifted into sleep.

The surgery to remove Ailine’s tumor finally began.