Thursday, 9:40 A.M.
The Steel Group Headquarters stood proudly against Rosewood's skyline, its glass walls reflecting the bright morning sun.
Inside the executive office on the top floor, silence reigned.
Aaron Steel sat behind his desk, reading through a stack of acquisition reports.
His concentration was legendary.
Once he started working, nothing distracted him.
Not phone calls.
Not visitors.
Not even hunger.
Ethan Brooks entered carrying a tablet.
"Sir, your ten o'clock meeting with the investors has been confirmed."
Aaron nodded without looking up.
"Good."
"There is also an invitation from the Rosewood Business Association."
"Decline it."
"And the charity foundation wants to thank you publicly for yesterday's event."
"No interviews."
Ethan wasn't surprised.
Aaron disliked publicity almost as much as he disliked wasting time.
Just as Ethan turned to leave, Aaron spoke.
"How is Daniel?"
Ethan stopped.
He blinked.
"Daniel...?"
"The boy in Room 312."
"Oh."
"He finished breakfast this morning."
"The doctors say his appetite is improving."
Aaron gave a slight nod before returning to his documents.
Ethan quietly smiled to himself.
It was the first time in nearly eight years that Aaron had asked about a patient by name.
Something...
Was changing.
Meanwhile...
Steel Medical Center buzzed with its usual activity.
Celina was helping an elderly woman arrange fresh flowers on the windowsill.
"They're beautiful," the woman whispered.
"My husband used to bring me roses every Friday."
Celina smiled warmly.
"He sounds like a romantic man."
"He was."
The woman's eyes sparkled with old memories.
"He always said love isn't measured by expensive gifts."
"It's measured by the little things people do every day."
Celina carefully adjusted the flowers.
"I think he was right."
The woman reached for her hand.
"I hope one day someone loves you that way."
For reasons she couldn't explain...
Aaron's face flashed through Celina's mind.
She immediately pushed the thought away.
Don't be ridiculous.
She barely knew the man.
That afternoon...
Aaron arrived unexpectedly at the hospital.
James welcomed him with surprise.
"I wasn't expecting another inspection."
Aaron answered calmly.
"I had a meeting nearby."
James smiled to himself.
The hospital wasn't anywhere near Aaron's scheduled meeting.
But he said nothing.
As they walked through the pediatric ward, cheerful laughter echoed from the activity room.
Aaron glanced through the open doorway.
Inside...
Celina sat on the floor surrounded by children.
She wore a paper crown decorated with colorful stars.
One little boy pointed at her proudly.
"She's our Queen!"
Another child disagreed.
"No!"
"She's our chef!"
The room erupted with laughter.
Celina laughed so hard that tears gathered in her eyes.
For a brief moment...
Aaron forgot who he was.
Forgot the meetings waiting for him.
Forgot the billion-dollar decisions.
He simply stood there...
Watching happiness.
James noticed.
"You know..."
"I've seen children refuse treatment."
"They cry."
"They become frightened."
"But when Miss Celina walks in..."
"They remember they're still children."
Aaron's gaze remained fixed on the room.
"You value her highly."
James smiled.
"She's impossible to replace."
A few minutes later...
The children rushed outside for a small treasure hunt organized by the volunteers.
As Celina gathered the scattered crayons from the floor, she suddenly noticed a familiar pair of polished black shoes stopping beside her.
She looked up.
"Mr. Steel."
Aaron inclined his head.
"I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Not at all."
She smiled politely.
"I'm just cleaning up."
Aaron bent down.
Before Celina could react...
He picked up a red crayon that had rolled beneath a chair.
She blinked in surprise.
"Thank you."
He handed it to her.
"It's remarkable."
"What is?"
"You remember every child's name."
Celina smiled softly.
"When someone calls you by your name..."
"You feel seen."
Aaron considered her words.
"And everyone deserves that."
She nodded.
"Especially people who spend most of their lives feeling invisible."
For a moment...
Neither spoke.
The hallway around them seemed strangely quiet.
Aaron found himself studying her expression.
There was no pretense.
No ambition.
No attempt to impress him.
She simply spoke from the heart.
A voice suddenly interrupted.
"There you are, Aaron."
Both of them turned.
A graceful woman in an elegant cream-colored dress walked toward them, her heels clicking softly against the polished floor.
Her long dark hair rested perfectly over one shoulder, and confidence radiated from every step she took.
James immediately greeted her.
"Miss Evelyn."
She smiled politely before her eyes settled on Aaron.
"I've been looking everywhere for you."
Then...
Her gaze shifted.
To Celina.
The air seemed to change.
Not with hostility.
With curiosity.
Evelyn offered a graceful smile.
"You must be Miss Celina."
Celina nodded politely.
"Yes."
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
Evelyn returned the smile.
"The pleasure is mine."
But as she looked at Celina...
Something flickered deep within her eyes,
jealousy,almost instantly No one noticed.
No one...Except Aaron.
For the first time in years...
He saw the ever-composed Evelyn momentarily lose her calm.
And he couldn't help wondering...
Why?