Rosebridge Specialist Hospital, was alive with motion — patients in wheelchairs being pushed by their relatives, nurses hurrying across hallways with charts in hand, junior doctors murmuring over folders, and stretchers being rolled into elevators.

Lucia walked down the hallway, Beside her, a young nurse trailed along, clutching a clipboard, a pen, and a few medical supplies the doctor would need for her ward rounds.

As they turned a corner, Dr. Silvia, one of Lucia’s colleagues, appeared from the opposite direction.

“Good morning, Dr. Lucia,” Silvia greeted warmly.

Lucia offered a small smile. “Good morning, Dr Silvia.”

Silvia paused, her tone softening with concern. “Have you seen Dr. Viviana recently? It’s been almost a week since I last saw her in the hospital. Is she alright?”

Lucia slowed her steps a little, a faint shade of worry crossing her face. “Honestly… I don’t know. I’ve been trying to reach her, but her line hasn’t been going through. I’ll try calling her again when I’m done today.”

“Alright,” Silvia nodded, exhaling. “I was just a bit concerned.”

“Thank you,” Lucia said with a grateful smile.

They parted ways, and Lucia continued down the hallway toward the pediatric ward, the nurse still keeping close behind.

Inside the ward, the soft beeping of machines and quiet murmurs of nurses filled the air. On one of the small hospital beds sat a boy — no more than six years old — with big eyes and a fragile frame. The moment he saw Lucia, his face lit up.

“Dr. Lucia!” his tiny voice chirped with joy.

Lucia’s heart melted instantly. She smiled warmly as she approached him. “Cassian,” she said softly, her tone full of affection. “How are you today?”

The boy grinned brightly. “I’m fine!”

Even so, Lucia could still see the tiredness lingering in his eyes, the weakness in his small body — but his happiness was enough to make her smile wider.

“I hope you’re not feeling any pain?” she asked gently as she sat at his bedside.

Cassian shook his head quickly, his little curls bouncing. “No pain.”

“That’s good,” Lucia said, pride and relief soft in her eyes. “That’s my boy. Give me a high-five.”

She lifted her palm, and Cassian eagerly slapped his tiny hand against hers with a laugh.

The nurse standing beside Lucia watched the scene with a soft, admiring smile. There was a quiet longing in her eyes — a wish that someday, she could be as loved and respected as Dr. Lucia.

In the entire hospital, Lucia was known not just as one of the best doctors, but one of the most beloved. Many patients refused to be treated by anyone else if she wasn’t around. She had a way of making people feel safe even in pain.

Lucia gently placed her stethoscope on Cassian’s chest, listening carefully to his heartbeat. The room was quiet except for the soft whisper of the device and the scratch of the nurse’s pen as she took notes.

She checked his pulse, his temperature, his breathing, and made a few encouraging comments along the way. Cassian giggled when the stethoscope felt cold, and Lucia apologized with a playful smile.

When they were done, Lucia ruffled his hair gently. “I’ll come check on you again later, okay?”

“Okay!” he said cheerfully.

She waved him goodbye and turned to leave the ward. The nurse followed closely behind.

Just as Lucia stepped out of the doorway, she nearly bumped into the director, who was standing right at the entrance.

“Good morning, sir,” she said immediately, her tone respectful.

His face was composed, but there was something apologetic in his eyes. “Good morning, Doctor Lucia.”

For a moment, there was silence — then he sighed quietly.

“I want to apologize… for how I reacted the other day,” he said, his voice lower than usual. “I’ve wanted to come speak to you sooner, but I’ve been buried in work.”

Lucia blinked in surprise, then offered a polite smile — calm, professional. “It’s alright, sir. I understand.”

He nodded once, relief passing over his features. “Thank you.”

Lucia gave a small nod in return. After all, he was still her boss. Without dwelling on it further, she stepped aside and continued down the hallway toward her office.

~~~~

At Massimo's mansion.

The main doors of the luxurious living room swung open with a quiet click, and Enzo stepped inside, his expression relaxed, his steps confident.

On one of the couches, Bianca sat curled up with her phone, scrolling through pictures with a faint smile. The moment she heard the door open, she lifted her head — and her eyes lit up instantly.

“Enzo!” she beamed.

Without a second thought, she jumped up from the couch and ran straight to him, flinging her arms around his neck. Enzo caught her effortlessly, his strong hands gripping her waist as he pulled her close. He buried his face near her ear and whispered low,

“I missed you babe.”

His breath brushed her skin before he gently pressed a kiss to her forehead. Bianca’s cheeks warmed, her heart fluttering.

Still holding her close, Enzo pulled back slightly and asked in a low voice, “What about Massimo? Is he home?”

Bianca nodded, whispering back, “Yes… but I think he’s in his room, probably asleep.”

Enzo leaned in, his lips inches from hers, ready to steal a kiss.

But before their mouths could meet—

Footsteps.

Enzo froze.

Bianca stiffened like a statue.

A cold voice sliced through the air from behind them.

“What’s going on here?”

Bianca’s blood ran cold.

Enzo turned slowly.

Massimo stood at the entrance of the living room, dressed in casual round neck top , his expression unreadable, his eyes sharp as ice. Bianca instantly jumped away from Enzo as though she had been burned.

Her heart hammered wildly — it felt like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over her.

Massimo stepped forward, his presence heavy, his gaze flicking between the two of them with a quiet, dangerous calm.

Enzo spoke first, forcing a casual tone, even though his pulse was racing. “Nothing. I just came in now. Bianca ran to me to show me a picture she and her friends took on her last vacation.”

He said it quickly, smoothly — praying Massimo wouldn’t notice anything more.

Bianca nodded instantly, wearing a shaky, awkward smile. “Yes, brother. I was just showing him the photos.”

A tense silence stretched.

Massimo’s eyes lingered a moment longer on Bianca before he spoke.

“Go to your room, now.”

His tone was low, commanding. Not loud or angry. But firm in a way that left no room for negotiation.

Bianca didn’t dare delay. “Yes… brother.”

She hurried away, practically running up the stairs. Her heart pounded so loudly she could hear it in her ears.

Thank God he didn’t notice… she breathed inwardly, gripping her phone tight as she disappeared into the hallway.

Back in the living room, Massimo walked to one of the couches and sat down. Enzo exhaled slowly, masking his nerves with nonchalance. He strolled in and dropped into the couch opposite him.

After a few seconds, Enzo spoke, using the first distraction that came to mind.

“So… why are you so interested in this doctor girl?” Enzo asked, arching a brow with a teasing smirk. “You’re not the type to chase after women.”

Massimo leaned back, expression calm but intent. “I just find her… quite interesting,” he said slowly. “And I’m going to get her. By all means.”

Enzo let out a low chuckle. “This is going to be fun. Headline — the almighty Massimo chasing after a woman.”

Massimo didn’t bother reacting to the mockery. He was used to Enzo’s constant teasing — and he wasn’t in the mood to entertain it.

Enzo’s grin remained, eyes dancing with mischief, but he shifted when Massimo spoke again.

“I need your help with something.”

The tone changed. Enzo straightened slightly, more attentive. “What is it?”

Massimo’s gaze darkened. “The laptop that was stolen. I need you to track it down. There’s something on it we can use, but it won’t be easy to locate.”

Enzo leaned forward with a half-smirk. “So that’s all? Not a problem. I’ll get on it.”

Massimo’s jaw flexed slightly in approval. Their trust ran deep — deeper than blood.

From childhood to now, Enzo had been the only real friend Massimo had, the only person who understood him and stood with him without question. Even back in high school, people mistook them for brothers.

And whether it was business, fight , or anything— Enzo always had his back.