A few hours before Alexander met Elena in her office, Federal Hospital, Wan State.
ELENA'S POV
The fluorescent lights hummed softly above me as I turned the last page of my patient's folder. Twelve names. Twelve fragile hearts depending on my care. I'd spent the night moving from one bedside to another, cleaning wounds, checking vitals, changing IV lines, whispering small reassurances to those half-lost in pain.
Now, staring at the improving numbers in their charts, a small smile crept to my lips. They're getting better. For a nurse, there was no sweeter reward.
Still, exhaustion sat heavy on my shoulders. I leaned back and rolled my stiff neck before picking up the thick, dog-eared logbook. My pen moved quickly, summarizing the night shift, the medications given, the improvements recorded. The letters blurred for a moment, my hand cramped, my body begging for rest, but I didn't stop. Duty never slept.
By the time I closed the book, a sigh escaped me- half relief, half weariness. The morning shift would start soon, and I still needed to shower and grab breakfast. The cafeteria cooks were angels in aprons, even if their food couldn't fill the hole left by sleepless nights.
A thought drifted in and stole my calm. Evan. My little boy.
Was he awake now? Eating breakfast with Emma? I'd hired her to help on days when double shifts stole my mornings and evenings that I was supposed to spend with him. I rubbed my eyes and forced a smile. One more shift, then I'd get two whole days off. Two days with my son. That was enough to keep me going.
*
The shower washed away the night's fatigue, leaving only the warmth of fresh water and a spark of new energy. I stepped out, wrapped my hair in a towel, and slipped into clean scrubs. The clock blinked at 9:00 a.m. Clara would be here any second with food and gossip in equal measure.
A knock sounded. Firm. Familiar. I grinned and hurried to open the door.
"Clara," I greeted, already smelling her perfume before seeing the tray she carried.
She stepped in, her curls bouncing, eyes dancing with mischief. Without a word, she set the tray on my table, peeked out the hallway, then locked the door.
"Okay, now look at this masterpiece." She unveiled the tray like a magician. "Boiled rice, vegetable sauce, roasted chicken, and pineapple juice. Tell me, am I not a genius?"
"You're a wonder, Clara," I said honestly. "You should be running a five-star restaurant."
"Maybe I will," she said, grinning as she handed me a fork.
The aroma filled the room, rich and tempting. My stomach growled in betrayal, and I took my first bite. Warm. Perfect. Comforting.
"So," I said between mouthfuls, "what's the gossip this time?"
She leaned in conspiratorially. "Alexander Blackwood a multi-billionaire just arrived here with his guards. He donated five hundred million farqus to the hospital."
I didn't even look up. "Well… it's about time someone did. We all work like machines here."
Clara frowned. "That's it? No shock? No squeal? Nurse Elena, are you alive?"
I smiled faintly. "I'm just saying… we deserve every coin of that donation." I pointed my fork at her. "And when you finally open your restaurant, I'll be your first customer."
Her eyes softened. "You always say the kindest things."
I shrugged and took another bite. "Only when there's food involved."
I shrugged and bit into my chicken. "Mmm."
She chuckled. "You didn't even hear the best part- he's handsome. Like, distractingly handsome."
"Mhm," I mumbled with my mouth full.
"I'm serious! Look." She showed her phone to me.
The second my eyes landed on the photo, my fork froze midair. My throat tightened. The room spun. The same face from that night- the sharp jaw, the pale hair, those sea-green eyes- my heart knew him before my mind could catch up. The air thickened. My fork slipped from my hand. The room tilted sideways as pain exploded behind my eyes.
The food stuck in my throat as pain sliced through my head. Tears burned my eyes.
"Elena!" Clara's voice trembled as she handed me water. I drank it slowly as she rubbed my back and I forced a shaky breath.
"I'm fine," I lied, forcing a weak smile. "Just… surprised by his beauty, I guess."
Clara blinked in confusion. I couldn't blame her. The words sounded absurd even to me.
She hesitated. "If you say so. I'll check on you later, okay?"
I nodded. "Please do. And Clara?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks. For the food."
The door closed softly behind her, leaving the scent of roasted chicken and my own racing heartbeat.
I pressed a trembling hand to my chest. So… the man I saved was a billionaire.
What if he recognized me? What would I say?
The thought slammed into me like lightning, followed by that same blinding headache. I collapsed to my knees, gasping. The ceiling blurred and then I saw him again. The old man.
His voice echoed, deep and threatening.
"You must never tell him. Never hint that you are the one. Or else…"
The vision vanished. My heart pounded as I pressed a trembling hand to my chest.
*
Hours later, I stood in my office again- this time face-to-face with him.
Alexander Blackwood.
He was taller than I remembered. His platinum hair gleamed under the fluorescent light, and those green eyes- the same ones I'd seen that night- now looked at me with quiet intensity.
I straightened, pushing every trembling nerve inside me into silence and stretched out my hand. "Good day, sir," I said professionally. "I'm Nurse Elena Prescott. You can call me Nurse Prescott."
For a heartbeat, he didn't speak. He just looked at me, his expression unreadable.
Then, softly: "Have… have we met before?"
The question froze me.
My hand, still outstretched for a handshake, faltered. His voice was rough and uncertain like a man reaching for a memory just beyond his grasp.
I stepped back, my pulse thundering. "No, sir. I don't think so."
But he moved closer. Each step measured, searching. His eyes flicked over my face, my hands, my stance- like he was trying to peel away the distance between past and present.
"He caught my wrist before I could retreat. His other hand brushed the zipper at the back of my scrub top."
"Let me go," I snapped, panic lacing my voice. "I don't know you!"
He didn't release me. My throat tightened with tears.
"This is harassment," I choked out, trembling. "If you don't let go, I'll sue you."