Chapter 15
Sarah tried to build a quiet life in Havenwood.
She found a job waitressing at the local diner, a small, friendly place
called “Rosie’s.”
The work was tiring, the pay was low, but it was honest.
Lily seemed happier, away from the sterile environment of hospitals
and the oppressive tension of Ethan’ s world.
But her health was a constant worry.
A fragile thread that could snap at any moment.
The anonymous money Ethan had provided helped.
It paid for Lily’ s regular medications, for check-ups at the small local
clinic.
But the fear of a relapse, the need for more intensive, expensive
treatment, was a constant shadow.
Sarah lived on edge, watching Lily for any sign of decline.
Ethan received daily reports from his security team.
Photos of Sarah, looking tired but resilient, serving coffee at Rosie’s.
Photos of Lily, drawing pictures at the motel, chasing butterflies in the
small garden.
Photos of Sarah and Lily, sharing a quiet moment, reading a book on
that rickety bench.
Each photo was a fresh stab of guilt, of regret.
He saw her struggle. He saw her love for Lily.
His heart ached with a longing he couldn’t suppress.
He poured his energy into his company, working relentlessly.
And into something else.
Finding alternative, safer treatments for Lily.
He used his wealth, his connections, his influence, to push medical
research, to explore every possibility.
He would not let Sarah sacrifice herself again.
He would not let Lily suffer.
One afternoon, his phone rang.
It was Dr. Albright, a leading pediatric oncologist he had been funding.
“Mr. Hayes, we have a breakthrough.”
Ethan’ s heart leaped.
“A new gene therapy trial. Specifically for Lily’s rare form of leukemia.
The initial results are incredibly promising. Far less risky than previous
experimental treatments.”
“Can you get her a spot?” Ethan asked, his voice urgent.
“Consider it done, Mr. Hayes. I’ve already pulled some strings. We can
start as soon as she’s here.”
Relief, immense and overwhelming, washed over Ethan.
He had found a way. A safe way.
As he hung up, another call came in.
His personal assistant.
“Mr. Hayes, the hospital called. Regarding Ms. Vance.”
Olivia. He had almost forgotten about her.
“They’ve found a perfectly matched heart donor for her. Her cardiac
issues have been worsening, as you know. They want to proceed with
the transplant immediately.”
A heart donor.
In his previous life, Sarah’ s heart …
He shuddered.
“Tell them to proceed,” he said, his voice flat. “Do whatever is necessary
for Ms. Vance.”
He barely registered Olivia’ s subsequent frantic calls, her demands to
see him, to know why he was being so distant.
His focus was singular.
Sarah.
Lily.
And the new hope Dr. Albright had offered.