Swapping a Broken Heart for a New Start novel Chapter 55

The middle-aged couple sitting nearby didn't look nearly as worked up as everyone else. They just asked, “How likely is this to work?”

“Well…” Camila Davis hesitated, but decided to be honest. “No doctor can ever promise a hundred percent success, especially not with something this serious. Mr. Harris has a major artery that's been compressed—one wrong move, and we could be looking at amputation. Or worse. To be straight with you, I’d say there’s a sixty or seventy percent chance.”

The words hit the Harris family like a bucket of ice water.

Sixty or seventy percent... that still left a real chance of something going wrong.

Were they really willing to gamble with Mr. Harris’s life?

“I don’t think so. Let’s just stick to the conservative treatments,” Arthur Harris, Mr. Harris’s son, jumped in before anyone else could speak.

His wife quickly nodded in agreement.

Only the old man himself stayed silent. There was a dull, defeated look in his eyes.

Truth be told, sixty or seventy percent was already a lot better than what they’d heard at other hospitals—those doctors had only given him a forty-fifty percent shot, tops. But he also understood why his family didn’t want to take the risk.

Torn between hope and despair, he slumped a little more in his chair, like a man finally buckling under the weight of it all.

Camila watched him, feeling a pang of sympathy. She’d been conservative in her estimate, but seeing his determination, she bit her lip and added, “Actually, if you’re willing to try a new medication I’ve been developing, I think we can push the odds up to ninety percent.”

The Harris family looked stunned, and even Walter Wilson, who’d been quietly observing in the corner, lifted his brows in surprise.

He couldn’t figure it out—why was Camila so determined to help Mr. Harris? They’d only just met; it’s not like they had some deep connection. Why take such a risk?

But whatever his doubts, Walter didn’t say anything to stop her. He trusted Camila had her reasons.

Camila, for her part, just waited for the family’s answer.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris still looked unconvinced. Even with only a ten percent risk, they didn’t want to take any chances.

But before they could say anything, Mr. Harris spoke up, voice rough with emotion. “I want the surgery!”

“Dad—” Arthur started to protest, but Mr. Harris cut him off.

Looking up, his tired blue eyes were suddenly blazing with something fierce and stubborn. “Arthur, I’ve spent decades feeling like a burden. I can’t keep living like this. You know my biggest wish is to one day walk up to my old buddies’ graves and salute them, standing tall. Please, just let me try. Let me have this chance!”

He glanced at Camila. “And I trust this young lady. She doesn’t strike me as someone who makes empty promises.”

He’d spent a lifetime reading people—and he trusted his gut.

Mr. and Mrs. Harris fell silent, all their arguments stuck in their throats. Especially when they saw the spark of hope in the old man’s eyes. How could they say no?

Finally, Arthur nodded. “All right, Ms. Davis. We’re counting on you.”

Arthur barely remembered to thank her before hurrying off to see his father.

When they got to the room, Mr. Harris was weeping openly, overcome with relief and gratitude. He’d never dared to dream he might walk again.

Later, after Camila finished her rounds, she stopped by to check on him.

Mr. Harris’s face lit up as soon as he saw her. “Ms. Davis, thank you. Really. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Arthur and his wife echoed him, nearly in tears themselves. “Ms. Davis, we’ll never forget what you’ve done for our family. You’re a true friend to us.”

Camila shook her head. “Compared to what Mr. Harris has done for this country, my work is nothing.”

But Mr. Harris shook his head, his expression serious. “It’s not the same. Serving was my duty. My leg was as good as lost, and you gave me a second chance. I mean it—if you ever need anything, just say the word. The Harris family will do whatever it takes to repay you.”

Camila felt a twinge of guilt. She’d wanted to help a hero—but she also had another motive.

She didn’t deny it. Instead, she said, “There is one thing I’d like to ask, actually. I’m looking for some information…”

“Oh?” Mr. Harris raised his brows, intrigued. “What kind of information?”

Camila hesitated, then asked, “Mr. Harris, have you heard of a brilliant psychologist working with the troops these days? Someone who’s helped a lot of soldiers with counseling and therapy?”