Chapter 2

The door was thrown open while I was reviewing imaging for my next surgery.

A group of people stormed down the cardiothoracic center hallway. The man at the front had bloodshot eyes, a loosened tie, and an overcoat carrying the chill of the small hours.

Behind him trailed four or five bodyguards in black.

Hospital security had been trying to stop him the whole way, but the bodyguards brushed them aside with ease.

The head of security was drenched in sweat.

"Sir, this is a medical area. You can't barge in like this. You'll interfere with the doctors' work."

Adrian didn't even glance at him.

His gaze landed on the consultation form in Mia's hands, and he closed the distance in long strides.

"Where is Dr. Hart?"

"Get my son's surgeon out here. Now."

"Money is no object."

"Whatever you want—name the figure."

Mia took half a step back under the force of his presence and instinctively glanced in my direction.

I stood at the far end of the corridor beside a pillar, most of my body hidden in shadow.

From there, I could see Adrian's profile clearly.

Four years on, he was colder than before—more like a man who had truly assumed control of the Blackwood family. But that air of superiority hadn't changed one bit.

He didn't see me.

Or rather, it would never cross his mind that the woman he had personally driven to the brink could be standing here again—the one person he had no choice but to beg.

His voice was ice.

"The moment Dr. Hart agrees to operate, I'll wire twenty million dollars."

"If you waste a single second, St. Catherine's cannot afford the consequences."

"Don't talk to me about rules."

He swept his gaze over everyone, eyes like blades.

"Rules are for people without power."

The security chief tried once more to explain. Adrian raised a hand and flicked it.

The bodyguards immediately blocked the man off.

"I've done my research on this hospital."

"The best aortic dissection surgeon in the country is right here."

"You have the capability to treat him, yet you deliberately stall."

"That's called disregard for human life."

Disregard for human life.

Those words falling from his mouth, so light—like an accusation that cost him nothing at all.

I stood in the shadows and nearly laughed out loud.

The day Lily's lips went from blue-violet to ashen gray, he carried another woman's child away.

Did those four words ever cross his mind then?

Adrian glanced at his watch.

"One final hour."

"If Dr. Hart does not appear within one hour, I will make everyone in this hospital pay—from the board of directors down to the last cardiothoracic surgeon."

The corridor fell deathly silent.

Mia looked at me, white-faced.

Adrian's back was to me. He never turned around.

His son's life was a life.

My daughter's, apparently, was not.

That car door slamming shut four years ago—he'd probably forgotten all about it.

Or maybe he never cared to begin with.

But the life he owes—someone has to collect.