One Night, His Unseen Legacy

dler

ed to outrun. My heart hammered against my ribs, a chaotic drum solo of anger and anticipation. I was going

um. My eyes darted to the commotion. An ambulance, lights flashing, was pullin

re emerged from the entrance, his face etched wit

ce. His gaze was fixed on a gurney being wheeled

t quite make out. His shoulders were hunched, his jaw clenched, every muscle screaming pure, unadulterated terror. He looked

ar to lose. A wave of ice water drenched me, colder than the London wind. This was the

sappearing from view. The sirens wailed again, fading into the distance as the ambulance sp

my voice cracking. "F

rview mirror, surprised. "

id, pulling out a wad of ca

. The chase was frantic, a blur of city blocks and flashing lights. Eac

om waiting area like a caged tiger. His face was pale, his usually immaculate hair mussed, his t

k. My heart ached with a familiar, searing pain. This was what I had dreamed of, p

forward, his hands on the doctor' s arms, demanding answers. The doctor spoke softl

his body, leaving him looking utterly exhausted. Relief, pure and unadulterated, washed over his

tion desk, feigning concern. "Excuse me, I'm

ression tired. "She's stable

d, as if surprised.

ere for her since day one, sweetie. Ever since

ian wasn' t just replacing his lost love; he was protecting her family, perhaps even trying to atone for Kathryne' s death through her sibling. The revelation hit me like a physica

kerson. It wasn't just research. It was a shrine, a legacy. He had funded it for her. For Hayden. My $5 mill

than before. Not just anger at Julian, but at myself

oftened with relief. He saw me then. His jaw tightened, his eyes narr

flat, devoid of surprise or wel

a weak voice called fro

agile and ethereal, her dark hair fanned out on the pillow

rsh expression melting into concern. He walke

e said, his voice impossibly

, a flicker of something unreadable in her gaze before she focuse

about a lab emergency the morning after our stolen night.

e you paid for." She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears. "You saved me, Julian. Again. Ju

her with an intense, almost painful remorse. "

on her lips. "I'm so sorry, Chandler. I know how much Julian sacrificed for me. This

ew. She knew about the money, about Charlton' s deal, about the true nat

unreadable. He didn't deny it. He didn't defend me. He si

or Hayden' s life-saving heart surgery, a condition exacerbated by her sister Kathryne' s death. My brother Charlton, in his misguide

d been a pawn, a placeholder, a convenient shield for his guilt. My l

vealed itself like a festering wound. He wasn't just haunted by Kathryne; he was consumed by his guilt,

is voice sharp now, seeing

f, manipulating those around him, even if unintentionally. I saw a man who had allowed me to believe in a lie, who

I said, my voice dangerously calm, the words dripping with ice. "I

of surprise, perhaps even hurt, cross

ning strength, resonating with a newfound res

dn't look back, not even when I heard Julian call my name, a faint, desperate sound that was quickly swallowed by the sterile