Chapter 1: A Twist of Fate
“Dr. Thompson, you’ve got company!” A nurse hollered over the hum of the hospital’s morning rush. The place was a zoo, especially in the plastic surgery department during the chaotic summer madness.
Ellie, known as Dr. Thompson around here, pushed through the break room door, her eyes landing on Alex Warren, her foster brother, who was perched by the window, phone in hand.
Alex was the kind of guy who could make even the most mundane mornings feel a little brighter.
Tall and confident, with a style that was entirely his own, he always stood out. His dirty blonde hair was perfectly messy, as if he’d just stepped off a magazine cover. And that black diamond earring? It gave him just the right amount of bad boy charm that was hard to ignore.
As if he could feel her staring, Alex glanced up, his gaze meeting hers. It had been years since their paths had crossed, and his eyes held a depth she hadn’t noticed before—a kind of intensity that made Ellie look away first.
With a playful smile, Alex closed the distance between them, leaning in slightly as if to get a better look. “Look who decided to grace us with her presence. The wanderer returns, and not a word to her family.”
Ellie’s heart did a little flip at the familiar scent of him—a mix of sandalwood and a hint of tobacco.
She’d been the Warren family’s foster kid, always toeing the line until she chose a college out of town, breaking the mold. The day she left, Alex had been angry, tugging at her ear in that brotherly way of his.
Shaken by the memories, Ellie quickly turned to pour Alex some coffee.
The sound of Alex’s footsteps echoed as he caught up to her. “Hey, Ellie,” he said, his voice teasing. “You and Haley still tight?”
Ellie turned, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Always,” she replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.
“Think you could put in a good word for me?” Alex asked, his gaze hopeful.
But as the words left his mouth, Ellie felt like she’d been hit by a truck. Her mind went blank, and she barely registered the hot coffee spilling over her hand, the pain a distant echo.
“Oh, Ellie, you okay?” Alex was by her side in an instant, his hands gently guiding hers under the cold tap. He grabbed a tube of aloe vera from the first aid kit, his fingers deftly applying the soothing gel.
Then he looked into her eyes, his expression serious but soft. “If you can help me with Haley, I’ll give you one thing you want. Anything. You name it.”
Their eyes locked, and Ellie felt a storm of emotions brewing behind her calm façade.
Alex, not missing a beat, continued. “She’s the one, Ellie. I’m all in. I need you on my side.”
His eyes sparkled with determination, but Ellie could see something else in them—a vulnerability that made her heart ache.
She’d been carrying a torch for Alex for seven years, convinced her feelings were a lost cause. But now he was asking her to help him with someone else. Her best friend, no less. It was a twist she hadn’t seen coming.
She felt a whirlwind inside, but she kept her composure.
“Alex, I can’t,” Ellie whispered, her voice barely audible, but firm.
His face fell, the warmth in his eyes replaced by a cold, hard stare. “Why not?” he demanded, the chill in his voice cutting through the air.
The room seemed to shrink, the tension thick. Ellie took a step back, her gaze dropping to the floor. “Haley’s feelings are her own. I can’t interfere,” she said softly, a mix of resolve and regret in her voice.
The silence stretched between them as Alex stood there, his gaze unwavering on Ellie. It had been years since they had crossed paths, and in that time, she had blossomed into a vision of elegance. Her lips, now a subtle canvas of allure, only added to the woman she’d become.
Before she could make her escape, Alex moved to block her exit. “Take the afternoon off. We need to talk.”
Ellie’s hand hovered over the doorknob, her voice steady despite the tremor in her chest. “I can’t. I’ve got responsibilities.”
Alex let out a snort, a mix of amusement and annoyance, as he smoothly pulled Ellie’s phone from her pocket. With a firm grip, he pressed her thumb to the screen, unlocking it with ease.
Then he sneered, disdain flashing in his eyes. “How much does an intern make in a day? I’ll spot you ten times that. Your day is mine now. Go get that time off.”
Ellie’s cheeks flamed, her fists clenching at her sides. That look in his eyes always stripped her of her defenses, leaving her raw and exposed.
He was Jasland’s golden boy—wealthy, powerful, and untouchable. She was just a girl trying to make her way through the world. The divide between them felt insurmountable. Her feelings for him had always been something she dared not cross.
She took a step back, her voice steady, though her heart hammered in her chest. “It’s not about the money.”
Alex’s expression darkened, his voice a low growl. “Bold of you to defy me.”
The courage Ellie had mustered crumbled under his stern gaze. She looked away, unable to hold his eyes, but she didn’t back down. “Professor Bell has surgeries today. I’m his assistant. I can’t just take off.”
Alex loomed over her, his presence suffocating as he narrowed his eyes. But he remained silent, his gaze unwavering.
