Hours blurred under the harsh buzz of the makeshift lights. Alex’s arms burned from the constant tension, his back screaming in protest as he hunched over her, but he didn’t stop working.Their medical supplies declined visibly, the sutures were running critically low, one IV bag after another was emptying faster than they could spike new ones.The air grew thicker, heavier with the coppery reek and the faint, sickly-sweet undercurrent of failing organs. Everywhere was almost as quiet as the graveyard, the only sound that could be heard was the beeping, the light footsteps of the nurses, and murmurs of the people outside the tent.“Her BP is climbing a bit,” Doctor Ramirez called out, and even though there was a hint of relief in his voice, it wasn’t totally evident in his eyes. “sixty-five over thirty-eight!”“Keep pushing the epinephrine—dilute it more if you have to!” Julian was the one who ordered this time, voice hoarse but steady while Alex nodded in agreement.Alex’s mind raced

The words hung heavy in the stifling air of the tent, thick as the humidity pressing down on everyone inside. The lead doctor’s face drained of color, his sharp features twisting from impatience to pure, gut-punched shock.His mouth opened and closed like a fish yanked from the river, eyes bulging as they locked onto Alex, he shook his head as if desperately trying to refute that piece of information, but Alex only stared at him with a wide smile.A strangled stutter finally escaped him—“Y-you… wh-what?” The words crumbling into nothing, his hands freezing mid-adjustment on the stretcher straps.Alex met his gaze steadily, that calm, collected confidence radiating from him like heat off sun-baked earth.A small, knowing smile curved his lips as he extended his hand, strong fingers steady despite the exhaustion etching lines around his eyes. “Hello there.” He said, voice low and even, carrying that effortless authority that made hearts skip. “I’m Doctor Alexander Thorne.”Utter silence

“Oh please.” Marcus laughed as he took a sip of his own champagne. “Would any of you like to steal me away? I doubt Elena would mind.” He added as he laughed again.“Oh, you charmer.” One of the ladies said as she rummaged through her purse. “Well, here’s my card, you can call me and we can talk about that deal over lunch.” She said, handing him her card.Marcus couldn’t hide his smile as he took the card, he was slowly climbing up the ladder, he couldn’t help but think that he made the right decision to come with Elena.Using her would bet him what he wanted much faster, and if he wanted, she would vouch for him at the highest places. He was slowly getting what he wanted, and that too with so much ease.“Oh yeah, Marcus. I would like to hear more about what you think, does tomorrow work for you?” One of the men asked before handing his card to Marcus.“Tomorrow works fine.” Marcus responded, taking the card. “And to save you the trouble, I’ll call you.” He added, slipping the card in

Elena scoffed at the sound of that, she had banished him because she wanted him to reflect on his actions, but now he was throwing an even bigger tantrum.She couldn’t believe that he was making her worry, does he think that if he just completely disappeared, she would go out of her way to find him? There was no way she was going to do that.“Well?” Marcus’ voice jolted her out of her thoughts, causing her to raise a brow as she looked up at him. “Are you just going to accept him with open arms if he decides to come back?” He asked.She scoffed again, rolling her eyes. “Yeah, right.” She laughed. “If he does come back, I’ll make him regret ever thinking he could live his life without me.” She added.Marcus’ smile turned almost proud. “That’s my good girl.” He muttered, and they both laughed. Soon, Elena finally turned toward the bathroom.The door clicked shut and the shower started running, Marcus exhaled hard and dropped onto the edge of the bed with one hand pressed against his che

The silence in the empty room haunted her, causing unwanted memories to flood her. She recalled the last dinner they had together with Marcus there.That was the night she ordered him out of the house and told him he could only come back if he was ready to apologize to Marcus on his knees. She remembered he had said something… something about him leaving.He had said something about going somewhere he might die, she remembered he told her that there was a chance that he might never come home again, but she’d been too self-absorbed to care.She had ignored him because of Marcus. She’d called him mad, and told him to stop throwing tantrums and saying things that he doesn’t mean just because he was jealous of Marcus.But he’d gotten angry and overturned the table, and that was when she also lost it. That was when she sent him out of the house and told him that she never wanted to see him ever again.She had said so many cruel words to him before throwing him out like he was nothing but a