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The Heart Surgeon’s Last Patient Novel Chapter 20

Night Carved Paths Into Silence by Zyrel Ash 20

“I mean, come on, the guy just took your picture. Did you have 

to go that hard? 

“That made you like a bully, you know.” 

She wrinkled her nose, then quickly added, turning to him with a 

grin, “I mean back then, okay? 

“You’re not nearly as insufferable now.” 

Roderick paused, sifting through faded memories. It wasn’t 

easy to dig up the past like that. 

After a moment, he said carefully, “You still don’t know what 

those guys were photographing, do you?” 

Madeleine stopped in her tracks. 

“Wasn’t it just you?” 

Roderick’s brow creased. 

“They took pictures… under your skirt.” 

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“What?” Madeleine’s voice spiked, her mind reeling. 

Under her skirt? That kid had been snapping photos of that? 

And Roderick had fought him over it? 

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demanded, her cheeks flushing 

with indignation. 

“You let me think you were just some hotheaded bully!” 

Roderick shot her a sidelong glance. “I did tell you. You were 

asleep. Didn’t hear a word.” 

“Oh.” Madeleine blinked, momentarily stumped. 

The sudden truth hit her like a splash of cold water–she’d 

misjudged him, and now a twinge of guilt crept in. 

Rubbing her nose awkwardly, she mumbled, “Well, I was young, 

okay? Kids always sleep like a rock. Totally normal.‘ 

Eager to move past the embarrassment, she flashed a cheeky 

grin. 

“Didn’t peg you for such a stand–up guy, though. Tell you what— 

when we sell these cufflinks, I’ll split the cash with you. Deal?” 

Roderick’s expression didn’t budge. “I’m the one who paid for 

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them.” 

Madeleine’s grin faltered, the air growing thick with 

awkwardness. 

This conversation was going nowhere fast. 

Forcing a laugh that sounded more like a cough, she pivoted. 

“Nice weather today, huh? Oh, where’s our kid? I should check if 

he’s eating properly.” 

She darted past Roderick, her movements quick and evasive. 

He turned, watching her scurry off, and a soft smile tugged at 

his lips before he could stop it. 

It wasn’t until moments later that he realized he’d been smiling 

-truly smiling, from somewhere deep inside. 

He touched his mouth, startled. 

He could hardly remember the last time he had felt that kind of 

warmth. 

The matter of Edward and the cufflinks was silently buried. 

Neither of them brought it up again. 

After a bit more wandering, the family of three headed to the 

Chapter 20 

grand theater for a performance. 

When Madeleine saw her childhood idol, Annabelle, take the 

stage, her eyes welled up. 

Eight years had passed. 

Annabelle, once a bold, youthful swan, had transformed into a poised, elegant goddess of ballet. 

Madeleine watched, her heart twisting as she thought of 

herself. 

How could she have given up her own ballet dreams? 

She’d spent countless nights imagining herself on a stage like this, spinning under the spotlight, weightless and free, just like 

Annabelle. 

As the performance ended, the audience erupted in applause. 

Madeleine’s emotions broke free. Covering her face, she slipped away to the bathroom, her chest tight with unshed 

tears. 

“Daddy.” 

Kevin tugged at Roderick’s hand, his small face etched with 

Chapter 20 

worry. 

“Is Mommy okay?” 

Roderick’s brow furrowed, but he said nothing. 

He’d seen the shift in Madeleine’s eyes–regret, frustration, 

longing. 

It had to be the ballet. Back then, no matter how others had 

urged her, she’d been adamant about quitting the stage. 

They’d fought bitterly over it once. 

She’d snapped at him, told him he had no right to meddle. 

His fist clenched, and a pang of regret hit him. 

Maybe he should’ve pushed harder and forced her to keep 

dancing. He felt that if he had, she wouldn’t have looked so 

heartbroken just now. 

But Madeleine’s moods were like summer storms–fierce but 

fleeting. By the time she emerged from the bathroom, she was 

her radiant self again, a little sunbeam breaking through the 

clouds. 

Catching Roderick and Kevin’s worried glances, she fanned 

Chapter 20 

herself with her hand, laughing lightly. 

“That’s my idol since forever. Her dancing–it’s just magic. If I 

could dance half as well as her, I’d be thrilled.” 

Roderick hesitated, then said clumsily, “You dance better than 

she does.” 

Madeleine’s eyes widened, disbelief flickering across her face. 

Roderick, of all people, dishing out compliments? The same guy 

who’d been sharp–tongued since they were kids? 

“Mommy, you dance too?” Kevin piped up, his voice bright with 

curiosity. 

Madeleine’s smile turned bittersweet. She took his hand, 

leading him toward the exit. 

“Yeah, I used to. Haven’t in a while, though. Next time, I’ll dance 

for you, okay?” 

“Yay!” Kevin’s enthusiasm was infectious, his innocent grin 

wiping away the last of her melancholy. 

“Kids,” she thought, “are just too adorable.” One look at her 

son’s beaming face, and her heavy heart lifted. 

Chapter 20 

She’d lost eight years, sure. But she had so many more ahead. 

She’d live them vibrantly, she promised herself. 

Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.

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