"I signed the contract with him."
Lara lifted her chin and pointed at Ares with a small, defiant pout, lips pursed like she was daring someone to challenge her.
Liam and Logan stared at her—then at Ares—clearly struggling to connect the dots.
"She only woke up yesterday," Logan snapped, his brows knitting together. "You really think it's appropriate to lock her into a job before she's even recovered? Damn, you really are a heartless CEO. A certified slave master!"
Ares shot him a cold look. Was he really being painted as the villain here?
"It's not like she'll be hauling bricks," Ares replied evenly. "She's only accompanying Shay." He paused, voice flattening. "And she isn't cleared for discharge yet. Medical approval is still pending."
The air thickened.
Then—
The door opened again.
This time, no one spoke.
Doctor Yannis Fenn stepped inside with unhurried confidence, white coat immaculate, tablet tucked under his arm like an extension of himself. The harsh fluorescent lights caught in his blue eyes as they swept the room—cataloguing everything in seconds.
Lara seated on the couch.
Shay pressed close to her side.
Liam standing just near enough to shield her without touching.
Logan at his flank, bristling.
And finally Ares—still, composed, watching everything.
He'd only been gone an hour, making rounds. And yet now, Lara was surrounded by powerful men, each of them radiating authority in their own way.
Ah.
So this was the situation.
"Miss Reyes," Fenn said smoothly, lips curving into a professional smile. "I had arranged your brain scan. I didn't expect you to have… quite so many visitors."
His gaze lingered briefly on the three men. He recognized the Norse brothers. The third man—tall, immovable, carrying himself like an emperor—was unfamiliar.
Lara straightened. "Doctor Fenn."
"Family?" he said lightly, though his eyes remained sharp. Of course, he knew they were not family.
"I'm here to take her home," Logan cut in before anyone else could speak.
Ares's jaw tightened.
Fenn turned to Liam next. "And you are?"
"Logan Norse."
A brief pause. The words were neutral. The weight behind them was not.
Fenn's smile didn't flicker. "Ah. The family that brought you in a year ago." Despite knowing exactly who they were, he gave no sign of familiarity.
"Even so, as you know, she cannot be discharged yet."
"And why not?" Logan demanded, his voice rising. "A year in the hospital isn't that too long?"
Doctor Fenn turned sharply toward him, blue eyes suddenly piercing.
Doctor Fenn turned sharply to gaze at Logan, his blue eyes piercing.
"I am his doctor. I knew her situation best."
"I am her physician," he said coolly. "And I understand her condition better than anyone."
Silence stretched.
Doctor Fenn glanced back at Lara, softening his tone. "I offered you accommodations earlier. A quiet place, monitored, and comfortable."
"I remember," Lara replied.
"She's already signed the contract." Ares lifted the document, her signature clear and unmistakable.
Liam shot Lara a look sharp enough to cut.This woman,he thought grimly.She woke up yesterday and already turned the room into a battlefield. Ares and now even this doctor?
Doctor Fenn arched a brow, amused now. "Interesting. Everyone seems to have very strong opinions about Miss Reyes's well-being."
Shay tugged at Lara's sleeve, sensing the tension even if she didn't understand it. "Mommy… noisy. Too many people talking."
Lara smiled faintly and squeezed her hand. "It's alright."
Doctor Fenn noticed. His gaze lingered on Shay for a beat before returning to Lara. "And who is this child?" he asked. "Why is she calling you Mommy?"
The child was clearly not hers.
Lara inhaled slowly. She did not want to explain. "I want to rest," she said quietly. "Gentlemen. Please."
She gestured toward the door.
Logan's shoulders dropped slightly, though his eyes stayed on Lara. "Then I'll come back tomorrow."
Ares and Liam remained stone-faced, but irritation burned beneath the surface. They were accustomed to clearing rooms, not being dismissed.
Doctor Fenn tapped his tablet. "I'll update the attending physicians. Miss Reyes, I'll check on you later."
As he turned to leave, his gaze flicked once more to Ares—measured, thoughtful.
"So many men," Fenn remarked lightly, "for one patient."
Then he was gone. Liam followed.
The door clicked shut.
The room felt smaller.
Ares broke the silence. "You should rest. We will take our leave."
Logan stepped closer to Lara. "Sis, call me if you need anything."
He held up his phone, a QR code glowing on the screen.
Lara hesitated—momentarily disoriented. He called her Sis so naturally. And worse, she didn't know how she was supposed to respond.
"Scan it," Logan added gently, remembering she lost her memories. "You'll have my contact."
She nodded, lifted her phone, and scanned the code.
Ares lifted Shay into his arms. Before leaving, the child waved enthusiastically.
"Bye, Mommy! See you later!"
Logan smiled, but his gaze lingered on Lara just a second too long before he turned away.
The door closed.
Lara exhaled deeply. Peace at last!
Then—
Ding.
Her phone lit up, and her peace was shattered.
Unknown Contact:Stay at the Leonard Mansion. This is a rare opportunity. Take it. Remember your mission.
Lara's lips pressed into a thin line.
She typed back.
She replied. I don't remember any mission. I don't know you. You don't command me.
...
In a penthouse overlooking the heart of the city, Artemio Fuegerro roared and hurled his phone across the room.
"Damn it!"
It shattered against the wall.
"That bastard," he snarled. "How dare she defy me?"
He paced, mind racing. He needed to regain control—now. Otherwise, what had all those years been for? Grooming her. Sharpening her. Turning her into the perfect weapon for revenge.
Failure was not an option.
...
Back at the hospital, Lara stared at her phone, expression hard.
How did he know she wasn't planning to stay at the Norse Mansion?
That meant either the phone itself—or someone in that room—was feeding him information.
She eliminated Liam and Logan first.
Then Ares and Shay.
Doctor Fenn seemed to be an upright person, so it was unlikely that he was.
Still,
She examined the phone carefully. Prying it open now would alert whoever was watching.
So, she didn't.
Instead, she grabbed her luggage and slipped into the restroom, where there was no CCTV. She changed quickly: black T-shirt, hoodie stuffed into a tote bag and slipped into the hospital gown. Then she stepped out like nothing had changed.
Minutes later, in the elevator, she pressed the button for three level below hers.
The doors opened.
She entered the restroom.
When she emerged, she was no longer a patient.
A woman in torn jeans and a black hoodie walked calmly down the corridor and disappeared into the flow of the hospital.
...
Late that afternoon, Doctor Yannis Fenn passed by Lara's room.
The words he heard stopped him cold.
"Dad," Shay cried, panic flooding her voice.
"Mommy is missing."