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CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

"What?" Alexis is the first to react after William’s words.

"You!" Marla exclaims, her hand flying to her mouth.

I focus on her face, and suddenly, a distant night in North Carolina starts to come back to me.

Athanasios and William were in their final year of the first four of med school, while I, being younger, was still in my second. We were all studying at the best university in the country, of course.

Even though I was younger, from the start, because of our grades and skills, we were always respected on campus, and the nickname we still carry today—Gods in White—was born back then.

None of us were friendly. All three were insufferably arrogant and antisocial. Naturally, with personalities like that, we hated each other and competed fiercely to see who was better.

Another thing we had in common was that none of us lived on campus. We never joined fraternities. We didn’t blend in. We ruled our own separate worlds.

One day, when by chance the three of us were all on campus, a fire broke out at the ice cream shop near Building Two, right next to the library.

We ran toward it before the firefighters even arrived. Several people got injured, but thankfully, no one died—thanks to how quickly we acted.

In that moment, there was no competition or arrogance. We were three men doing what we’d committed ourselves to when we chose medicine: saving lives.

There were two girls about our age and five older employees. Only one woman was seriously injured.

After making sure everyone would be okay, we went our separate ways.

That event bonded us. That night forged a connection between us that has lasted to this day.

I hadn’t thought about it again until now. But that incident clearly left a mark on William—maybe because he was the one who rescued the most seriously injured victim—and now I find out that the woman we saved was Alexis’s mother.

I’ve never been a believer in fate, but what else could you call it, when the three of us ended up saving the mother of the woman I am determined to win back? The one I’ll never let walk out of my life again?

I’ve had almost a month to think about it. I still believe Alexis deserves someone better than a cold bastard like me, but it only took seeing her once—walking into my office—for me to know I’ll never find another woman who stirs something so intense in me.

I don’t know what to call it, but I’m certain it’s not going to change. I’ve never backed down from something I want—and what I want is her. No matter how long it takes, I’ll have her back in my bed and my life.

"Oh my God!" Marla finally says, and to everyone's surprise, she rushes toward William and hugs him. "I can't believe it’s you. I don't remember if I ever thanked you that day, but thank you so much for saving my life."

Alexis

"Mom?"

"Alexis." She lets go of LJ’s business partner and hurries over to me. "Sweetheart, remember the story I told you about the fire I survived back when I lived in North Carolina? These three men were the heroes who saved us that day. If they hadn’t acted so quickly, I might not be here today."

I don’t look at her. I look at LJ, feeling completely lost.

Suddenly, it’s like life’s decided to play poker with me—only it’s cheated, hiding all the best cards until now.

If what I’m hearing is true—and I have no reason to doubt it—then LJ didn’t just save my life once by operating on me, he saved me from living my entire life without knowing the woman who gave birth to me.

If my mother hadn’t survived, I never would have known her.

I cover my face, trying to hide my emotions, but seconds later, I feel my mother’s arms wrapping around me.

"Hey, I’m sorry. I totally forgot you’re not supposed to get emotional."

"I’m not feeling sick. Just overwhelmed," I whisper to her. Then I raise my voice so everyone can hear. "Repeating what my mother said—thank you for saving her. What you did changed the entire course of my life."

They all seem a little awkward, but I’m no longer intimidated by LJ’s partners. During the time I’ve been hospitalized, I’ve done plenty of research online about the father of my child and everyone connected to him.

I’ve also recorded a short audio update for my show, letting my followers know what happened. The good thing about having so many videos is the passive income. The money keeps coming in, even though I’ve been out of commission for almost a month.

The conversation soon shifts back to normal, and I hear the two doctors asking my mom about her current health situation. Maybe it’s some kind of God complex, but now that they've found her again, it feels like they see her as their responsibility.

I don’t pay attention to them, though.

My eyes see only the father of my son—and he’s focused entirely on me.

I make a decision.

"We need to talk."

"Yes."

"I don’t think you understand, Lazarus. We need to talk today , when I get to the apartment you’re lending us. Can you meet me there?"

"I’m not meeting you there. I’m taking you. You’re not going anywhere without me, Alexis."

"You don’t own me."

His face stays completely impassive, and for a second, I think he’s not going to say anything. But then he reaches out and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

"Not yet," he says softly, "but I plan to change that very soon."