Chapter 2

 The car sped through the streets, the city lights flashing past as Rebecca leaned back, her eyes closed. Her face was calm, but the faint cough that escaped her lips betrayed a hint of vulnerability. Ethan lay unconscious beside her, his breathing shallow but steady.

“Miss Rebecca, the mayor has invited you to a private dinner with the Chamber of Commerce tonight,” her secretary, William, spoke up from the front seat, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. “Shall I confirm your attendance?”

Rebecca opened her eyes, her gaze sharp. “Cancel it. I have other priorities right now.”

William raised an eyebrow, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “Other priorities? Are you referring to… him?” He gestured towards Ethan’s limp form.

“Watch your tone, William,” Rebecca’s voice was cold and firm. “Just make sure we get to the hospital quickly.”

“Yes, Miss Rebecca,” he replied, though the mocking tone didn’t entirely leave his voice. “But I must say, it’s quite uncharacteristic of you to pick up strays.”

“Ethan is not a stray,” Rebecca retorted, her eyes narrowing. “He’s someone my grandfather valued. That’s all you need to know.”

“Of course, Miss Rebecca.” William’s eyes returned to the road, but the slight curl of his lips suggested he wasn’t entirely convinced.

The car lurched forward as William accelerated. The silence in the vehicle was broken only by the hum of the engine and Rebecca’s occasional coughs.

“Miss Rebecca, you really should take your medication,” William said, concern lacing his voice now. “Your health is more important than—”

“I’ll be fine,” Rebecca interrupted curtly, dismissing his concern with a wave of her hand. “Focus on driving.”

William sighed, glancing back at her. “Stubborn as always.”

Rebecca closed her eyes again, ignoring the throbbing pain in her chest. Her thoughts drifted back to the man lying unconscious next to her. Ethan’s face was pale, his clothes disheveled, but there was a quiet strength in his features that she hadn’t noticed before.

“Who are you, Ethan?” she murmured softly, almost to herself. “Why did my grandfather believe in you?”

As if in response, Ethan stirred slightly, his face contorting in pain. His fists clenched, and his breathing became ragged. Rebecca leaned closer, her brow furrowing in concern.

“What’s happening to him?” she demanded.

William glanced at the rearview mirror, his expression serious. “He’s probably having a nightmare. We’re almost at the hospital, Miss Rebecca. Just hold on.”

In the dark recesses of his mind, Ethan was trapped in a vivid dream. He stood alone in a void, surrounded by darkness. A faint light flickered in the distance, growing brighter and taking shape until a towering figure emerged from the shadows.

“Father?” Ethan whispered, his voice echoing in the emptiness.

The man before him was imposing, his presence radiating authority and strength. His eyes bore into Ethan’s with a look of disappointment.

“You’ve squandered your life, Ethan,” the man’s voice boomed. “You were meant for greatness, and yet you’ve done nothing but bring shame to our name.”

“No, please,” Ethan pleaded, reaching out, but his hands passed through the figure as if it were made of smoke. “I tried. I really tried.”

“Tried?” The man’s eyes narrowed. “You’ve done nothing but wallow in self-pity. You’ve wasted every opportunity, every gift you were given. You’re not the son I raised.”

Tears streamed down Ethan’s face as he fell to his knees. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Just give me another chance.”

The figure turned away, fading into the darkness. “You have the knowledge now, but do you have the will? Prove yourself, Ethan. Prove that you’re worthy of our legacy.”

As the figure vanished, Ethan was left alone in the void, a flood of memories and images crashing through his mind. Ancient scrolls, powerful techniques, mystical arts—everything his father had once taught him but that he had never fully understood.

The knowledge surged through him like a torrent, filling him with a sense of power and purpose he had never felt before. Then, everything went dark.

Ethan jolted awake, gasping for breath. His eyes darted around the unfamiliar room, taking in the pristine white walls, the beeping machines, and the IV drip attached to his arm. His head throbbed with a dull pain, and his body felt heavier than ever.

“Where am I?” he muttered, trying to sit up.

“You’re in the hospital,” came a calm, feminine voice from beside him.

He turned his head to see Rebecca sitting in a chair, her expression unreadable. “You collapsed outside your house. I brought you here.”

“Rebecca?” Ethan blinked, the memories slowly returning. “Why… why did you help me?”

Rebecca shrugged lightly. “My grandfather believed in your family. He made a promise to your father, and I’m here to fulfill it.”

Ethan stared at her, disbelief and gratitude warring in his expression. “Thank you. I don’t know what would have happened if you hadn’t…”

“You would’ve survived,” Rebecca cut him off with a small smile. “You seem to have a knack for it. But I’m curious, Ethan. What happened to you? You look like you’ve been through hell.”

Ethan hesitated, his gaze dropping to his hands. “It’s… complicated.”

“I have time,” Rebecca said, leaning back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his. “Tell me.”

Ethan sighed, recounting the events of the past few days—the betrayal, the humiliation, the hopelessness. He spoke in a low, shaky voice, the pain of the memories still raw.

Rebecca listened quietly, her face expressionless, but her eyes softened as he spoke. When he finished, she let out a long breath.

“You’ve been through a lot,” she said softly. “But you’re not alone anymore. You have me.”

Ethan looked up, his eyes wide. “Why? Why are you helping me?”

Rebecca’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Because I believe in second chances. And because my grandfather was never wrong about people.”

Ethan felt a warmth spread through his chest, a glimmer of hope piercing through the darkness. “Thank you, Rebecca. I won’t let you down.”

“I hope not,” she replied, but her tone was teasing. “I’m not known for my patience, you know.”

Ethan chuckled, the sound surprising even himself. For the first time in days, he felt a sense of peace. He was about to speak when Rebecca’s body jerked slightly, and a harsh cough escaped her lips.

“Are you okay?” Ethan asked, concern etching his features.

“I’m fine,” Rebecca muttered, pulling a bottle of pills from her bag. She swallowed a handful with a grimace, but the cough persisted.

“Doesn’t look fine,” Ethan observed. “I—”

The door to the room burst open, and a doctor hurried in, his face stern. “Miss Rebecca, you shouldn’t be here. You need to rest.”

“I’m fine, Dr. Martin,” Rebecca snapped, though her voice was hoarse. “I’m not a child.”

“With all due respect, you’re neglecting your health,” Dr. Martin insisted, glancing at Ethan with a mixture of annoyance and suspicion. “And you, young man, need to stop taking advantage of her kindness. Miss Rebecca doesn’t have time for—”

“Enough!” Rebecca’s voice cut through the air like a whip. “I don’t need your opinion, Doctor. I make my own decisions.”

Dr. Martin flushed, his eyes dropping to the floor. “Of course, Miss Rebecca. But you really should—”

“I said enough,” Rebecca repeated, her tone icy.

Dr. Martin hesitated, then nodded stiffly. “Very well. But if you feel any worse, please call for me.”

He left the room, the tension in the air palpable. Ethan watched him go, then turned to Rebecca. “You shouldn’t be pushing yourself so hard. Maybe you should listen to him.”

Rebecca waved him off. “I don’t need your concern, Ethan. I’m fine.”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” Ethan muttered, more to himself than to her.

“What was that?” Rebecca arched an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a faint smile.

“Nothing,” Ethan said quickly, then took a deep breath. “Actually, I might be able to help.”

Rebecca blinked, surprise flickering across her face. “Help? How?”

Ethan hesitated, the knowledge from his dream still fresh in his mind. “I… I know a few techniques. They could help with your asthma.”

“Techniques?” Rebecca’s tone was skeptical. “You’re not exactly a doctor, Ethan.”

“I know,” he admitted. “But just let me try. If it doesn’t work, you can kick me out.”

Rebecca studied him for a long moment, her eyes searching his. “You really think you can help?”

Ethan nodded, his heart pounding. “Yes.”

Rebecca sighed, then leaned back in her chair, her eyes never leaving his. “Fine. You have ten minutes. But if you try anything—”

“I won’t,” Ethan promised, his voice steady. “I just need to place my hand on your chest.”