After Bruce opened his eyes, confusion washed over him. The day had passed, and it wasn't just morning anymore. It was now evening. He realized he had been unconscious for nearly twenty-four hours.
He found himself in a spacious, well-equipped ward, filled with advanced medical devices. It was clear this was no ordinary health center; this room was designed for the elite. Bright LED lights illuminated the area, and he noticed he was lying shirtless on a pristine hospital bed.
His gaze shifted to his chest, where wires and monitors were attached to him, tracking his every breath.
Where am I? Why am I still alive? His thoughts spiraled, struggling to make sense of the situation.
The more he observed the unfamiliar surroundings, the more questions crowded his mind.
Was I brought back from death? Is this some sort of second chance? Or could this even be… a new life?
Bruce rubbed his temple, his brow furrowed deeply. He couldn't figure out what had happened or how he had ended up in such a place. There has to be an explanation… But what is it?
The door creaked open, pulling Bruce out of his tangled thoughts. His eyes darted toward the sound, and in walked a woman dressed in a white medical coat, a stethoscope draped around her neck. Her presence and attire immediately told him she was a doctor.
"Doctor," Bruce called out to her. "Where am I? Why are all these things connected to me? What's going on?" He tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his body, forcing him back onto the bed.
The beautiful doctor approached him. "You're in the hospital," she said softly. "It's good to see you awake. Don't push yourself too hard. You've been through a lot."
Bruce frowned at the mention of that. "But why am I hooked up to all this equipment? I don't remember any of this!"
The doctor adjusted one of the monitors and replied, "You've been unconscious for almost a day. We had to monitor your vitals and give you the necessary treatment. Don't worry; we're almost done. I'll remove the equipment soon."
"Treatment?" Bruce asked. "I don't understand! I need to leave. I have a job to get to, "
The doctor smiled faintly. "You're not going anywhere right now. Rest is your job for the moment. We need to make sure you're fully stable before you can leave."
Before Bruce could protest further, the door opened again. This time, a man in an expensive black suit entered, his face lit up with a broad grin.
Bruce glanced at him, bewildered by the stranger's apparent joy. "Who are you? What's with the smile?" he asked.
The man chuckled as he stepped closer. "You're quite the survivor, Mr. Bruce. I came to see you and personally make sure you're doing alright."
Bruce stared at him, still unsure of the man's intentions, but he kept his thoughts to himself. Something about all of this felt… off.
The only thought consuming Bruce's mind was how he was going to manage everything. Paying for his hospital bills, arranging his father's burial, and finding a way to deal with the impossible task of coming up with one million dollars or spending 10 years in jail. But now, with his father gone, there was no one left for him to care for so he made up his mind. Jail was the only option.
Why didn't they just take me to the prison? How will I ever pay for all of this? He thought bitterly as he watched the doctor work.
She was carefully disconnecting the machines attached to his body, one by one.
"Doctor, is he ready?" The man in the black suit, who had just walked in, spoke from the doorway.
"Yes," the doctor replied with a professional nod. "I just need to give him the prescribed medication to ease his pain for the next few days. He's stable enough now."
"Good," the man responded, adjusting his tie. "He needs to meet Lady Scarlet immediately."
Bruce's eyebrows furrowed in confusion, and his mind began to spin. Lady Scarlet? Who is that? He tried to piece it together, but it only led to more questions.
The man waited patiently as the doctor finished disconnecting the machines and IV drips from Bruce's body.
Once she stepped aside, he turned directly to Bruce. "Please, follow me. Lady Scarlet is waiting," the man said.
"Why should I follow you? I don't even know who you are or who this 'lady scarlet' is," he replied.
The man smiled faintly but didn't hesitate. "All your questions will be answered. But first, you need to come with me. Trust me, it's in your best interest."
"No way I'm coming with you."
Before the man could respond, the doctor spoke up. "He's the one who brought you here, sir. If anyone can explain how you got here, it's him. You'll have to leave with him."
Bruce hesitated, unsure of what to make of the situation. But with nothing left to lose, he slowly swung his legs off the bed, wincing slightly from the pain in his body, and prepared to follow the man.
Bruce kept wondering why this man had been the one to bring him to the hospital? What was his connection to all this?
Without saying a word, Bruce followed him outside, still shirtless, his feet dragging slightly from exhaustion and confusion.
They stepped into a luxurious hallway that led to an expansive sitting room. It was an extravagant space, beautified with the kind of wealth Bruce had only seen on TV shows. Everything was gleaming from the floors to the ornate furniture.
Seated in the center of the room was a woman draped in an elegant ensemble of designer clothing. Her entire outfit, from her costly dress to her pricey shoes and sunglasses was luxury. Even her accessories sparkled like they belonged in a showroom.
When the door opened, she looked up quickly, her gaze landing on the man before shifting to Bruce, who followed closely behind.
For a moment, she simply stared at him, as though unsure if what she was seeing was real. Then, a warm smile broke across her face, accompanied by relief and emotion.
"My son," she said softly. "Welcome home."