"So… what do we do about the girl?" Rose's voice was sharp, slicing through the silence of the Brooks' penthouse like a blade. "She's carrying a genetic disease and could drop dead at any moment."
Charles didn't flinch. He took a long drag from his cigar, staring out of the window like a man lost in calculations. "She needs a bone marrow transplant," he replied quietly.
Rose scoffed. "That'll cost nearly 6.5 million dollars, Charles. On a brat who isn't even ours?!" He turned slowly, eyes cold. "Why are we rich then?" Rose's lips curled in disgust. "So we're using our fortune to keep her alive now?"
"She's an asset," Charles said sharply. "Don't be naive. She's smart, she's made the Brooks name shine. At school, at galas, at medical panels… everyone praises you for raising such a brilliant girl. The society adores her."
Rose paused. As much as she hated admitting it he wasn't wrong.
She sighed dramatically. "Fine. Just make sure she survives. She's important… even if I can't stand her presence."
Charles nodded.
A twisted silence fell between them.
Meanwhile… at Riverson General
"Arrghh… my head," Kim groaned, clutching her temples. Her body ached, but her soul ached even more. It had been twelve years since Hazel vanished. Twelve years of unending pain.
But today… something was different.
I need to go… she thought, placing a shaky hand on the wall for balance. She walked down the silent hospital hallway, every step a battle. Her feet dragged, her breath was shallow, but something a pull guided her.
Then she stopped.
Room 318. Something about that door…
Her fingers reached out, and slowly, the door creaked open.
Inside, a young girl lay in bed, looking out the window. Her skin was pale, but her eyes were bright. Kim smiled gently. "Oh, dearest… what's wrong with you?" Aurora turned slowly, startled but calm. "Who are you?" she asked in a whisper. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm not a bad person, don't worry," Kim said softly. "I'm… the CEO of this hospital." She chuckled. "Funny, right? I own the building and yet I'm a patient here." Aurora giggled faintly. "Yeah… kinda funny."
Kim stepped inside. "Now, tell me. What's wrong with you, sweetheart? "I have leukemia, ma'am."
"Hey don't call me ma'am," Kim said, her tone warm. "You can call me… Mom."Aurora blinked. "But why should I call you Mom? You're not my mother."
Kim nodded sadly. "I know… but I have a daughter. She'd be your age now… if she hadn't been taken from me when she was just a baby." Aurora's face dropped. "That's so sad. I hope you find her soon."
"Thank you," Kim whispered.
A silence stretched between them. It wasn't awkward just full of unspoken emotions.
Aurora smiled. "It was nice talking to you."
"Hey," Kim smiled back, "we're not done talking yet. "Oh—sorry," Aurora laughed. "I thought you needed rest."
"No… I feel better with you." They shared a soft laugh. Kim looked at her with awe. "You're so beautiful. And brave." Aurora blushed. "You think so?"
"Very much. What's your name?"
Aurora Brooks."
Brooks…
Kim's heart skipped a beat. That name… sounds familiar…" she murmured.
Aurora tilted her head. "It does?" Kim didn't answer. She was lost in thought.
"And how do you feel about your condition?" Kim asked after a pause. "I'm scared," Aurora admitted. "But I'll be fine. My parents are rich. They can afford the treatment."
Kim smiled, then her eyes turned serious. "Do you know how leukemia works, Aurora?"
"A bit…"
"Well," Kim said, choosing her words carefully, "you can't just pay your way through it. Since it's genetic, the best hope is… a donation from your biological parents."
Aurora opened her mouth— "But they're—"
SLAM! The door burst open.
"Get your hands off my daughter!" Rose's shrill voice echoed through the ward like a thunderclap.
Aurora gasped. "Mom! What are you doing?"
Kim took a step back, stunned by the sudden aggression.
"You haven't even listened to anything—" Aurora tried to explain. Will you shut up?" Rose snapped. "I am your mother and I know what's best for you!" Kim stood tall, calm but firm. "There's no need to be so dramatic. We were just talking."
Rose glared. "And who asked you to talk to my daughter?" Since when have you cared about what's good for me?" Aurora mumbled, her voice cracking.
Rose turned sharply, her fury rising. "Are you still talking?!" Enough," Kim said firmly. "She's not a child to be barked at. She's a patient, a human being, and a brilliant girl whether she's yours or not."
Rose scoffed. "Oh please. You think a few soft words will win you a trophy?"No," Kim said, locking eyes with her. "But maybe it'll remind someone how to be a mother."
Aurora blinked staring at Kim. Her heartbeat quickened.Something about this woman… her voice… her eyes…
Why does she feel like home?