006

The hospital room was silent, the only sound the steady, rhythmic beeping of Liam’s heart monitor. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the small boy, who, just moments ago, had been fighting for his life. Now, his breathing was calm, and his cheeks had regained a hint of color.

Adam Ellis sat beside his son, holding Liam’s hand, his relief palpable. “I… I can’t believe it. He was right. Lucas was right all along.” His voice trembled with a mix of gratitude and lingering fear.

Dr. Luca Atkinson, who had been at a complete loss moments earlier, cleared his throat, recovering from his shock. He pointed to a thermos on the nearby table. “That… looks like snake soup. And if the cafeteria served white radishes with it, they might’ve caused a toxic reaction. Snake soup and radishes together can create dangerous compounds.”

Adam’s face went pale. “I brought the soup myself. I thought it would… help him gain strength.” Guilt washed over him as he realized that his carelessness had nearly cost Liam his life. He looked up at Samantha, his voice thick with gratitude. “Please… thank Lucas for me. And… when we finalize the contract, I want him there. I need to thank him personally.”

Samantha, taken aback, managed a nod. She glanced at Dr. Atkinson, who was uncharacteristically subdued, and then at Adam. “I’ll… let Lucas know. And thank you, Adam. I’m glad everything worked out.”

The following morning, Lucas sat by Ella’s bed, his eyes closed in meditation. The Dragon Emperor’s Canon and the Dragon Soul Immortal Technique flowed through him, filling him with renewed strength. He looked down at Ella, her chest rising and falling steadily, and felt a wave of hope.

As the sun filtered in through the window, Ella’s eyes fluttered open. She stretched, her small face breaking into a sleepy smile. “Daddy… I’m hungry.”

Lucas chuckled, his heart leaping at her words. “Hungry, huh? Well, that’s a good sign!”

She giggled. “Can I have fried dough sticks?”

“Of course, sweetheart.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll go get some right now.”

She gripped his hand, her eyes wide. “Promise you’ll come back? Don’t… don’t leave me.”

Lucas leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I promise, Ella. I’ll be right back.”

He stepped outside the hospital, the cool morning air a welcome relief. Just as he took a deep breath, his phone rang. Glancing at the screen, he was surprised to see Samantha’s name.

“Hello?” he answered, a mix of confusion and curiosity in his tone.

Samantha’s voice was sharp and demanding. “Where are you? You were supposed to pick me up for work this morning.”

Lucas blinked, caught off guard. “Pick you up? But yesterday, you told me not to come back.”

She ignored his response, her tone turning cold and businesslike. “Yes, well, I’m waiting. Don’t be late. And remember, you owe me—for Ella’s treatment.”

Lucas stammered, still unsure if she was serious or if this was some strange joke. “I… alright. I’ll meet you for lunch then?”

“Fine. Be on time,” she snapped, and the line went dead.

Lucas stared at his phone, bewildered. What’s with the sudden change? She told me to get lost yesterday, and now she’s calling like nothing happened? Despite his confusion, he felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe she’s realized I’m not just some fool.

Meanwhile, Samantha hung up, her face flushed with embarrassment. What am I doing? she thought, shaking her head. After everything, he’s the last person I should be calling… but he saved that boy. Maybe… maybe I was wrong about him.

She took a steadying breath, feeling both a twinge of respect and a hint of something she couldn’t quite define. Maybe today I’ll start making things right.

Back at the hospital, Lucas returned to Ella’s room, a bag of her favorite fried dough sticks in hand. She clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with joy as she bit into one. “Thank you, Daddy!”

He smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him as he watched her eat. “Anything for you, Ella.”

As she enjoyed her breakfast, Lucas’s mind drifted to his upcoming lunch with Samantha. Despite everything, he felt a strange sense of anticipation. Maybe this is a chance for a fresh start, he thought. Maybe there’s more to Samantha than I thought.