I opened my eyes, my eyes still blurry, my head feels a little ache. I slowly got up rubbing my eyes as I massaged my temple. I saw myself lying on a brown leather sofa as I scanned the room with light brown wooden cabinets and bookcases that form a corner. Matching wooden desks extend from this cabinetry, providing a wide workspace.
I'm at Thorne's office, I suddenly remembered what happened to me, I fainted after Esme’s surgery. I immediately moved rushing towards the door finding out how she's doing. I was about to open the door when it swung open. 
I was startled as I was about to hit his chest. I looked up and saw him. “Zaira, what are you doing?” he asked, his voice filled with concern, immediately closed the door behind him. 
“Are you okay?” he asked, both hands held my shoulders. I smiled nodding. 
“You shouldn't stand up like that, you need to rest!” he said, his voice insisting. 
“Thorne, I'm fine, okay?” I assured him. “I want to see Esme on how she's doing,” I added. 
He sighed and nodded. He accompanied me to see her. He said she'd been awake an hour ago. It doesn't matter if she's asleep, I just wanted to know that she's okay. I entered her room, I heard giggles and laughter. 
I saw her smiling toward her mother hugging her stuffed animal. I feel warmth inside me, and can't help but to smile, relief washed over me as I could see that she's in a normal state. 
“Thanks to you, she can still witness how beautiful life may be,” Thorne said softly, watching her. 
Esme glanced in our direction, her smile went bigger waving at me. “Doctor Zaira!” she exclaimed and was about to move. I immediately stopped her as I ran towards her. 
“Don't do that, you're still recovering” I said, assisting her into a comfortable position.
Her smile stays. “Doctor Thorne told me that you removed the germ that causes my illness, was that true?” her voice filled with excitement. 
“I did, but Doctor Thorne helped me,” I said, smiling at her. 
“Thank you! Because of you I could go home now!” she exclaimed, unexpectedly she held me in her arms, her tight and comfortable embrace filled each part of me with warmth and comfort. 
I smiled, hugging her back. “You're a strong child you should thank yourself” I said as I gently caressed her hair. 
She was released from the hug, as I heard Thorne's footsteps behind me. “Don't I have a hug too?” I heard him. 
Esme chuckled as she again hugged both of us, I glanced at Thorne smiling in my direction. “Thank you!” we heard her
As she released us, we continued to chat with her until a nurse visited her to check her vitals, there are no unusualities so they can go home tomorrow. As Thorne and I left walking through the hall, someone called out. 
“Doctor Thorne, Doctor Zaira!” 
I glanced behind me and saw Esme’s mother rushing towards us. 
“Is everything alright?” I asked. 
She shook her head. “Esme almost forgot about this” she said giving me a piece of paper. 
“When she woke up, she requested me to give her colored pencils and paper, she wanted to give both of you a thank you letter” she said smiling. 
I accepted the folded piece of paper as I saw cute and colorful drawings about her and me wearing a stethoscope helping her. A note beside her that melted me inside. 
“Doc, Thank you for everything, Esme is the precious thing that I have. I heard that her surgery was too risky yet you did your best taking that risk just to save her. Thank you!” She breaks down and knees crying. I was surprised to catch her. 
I kneeled down hugging her as I caressed her back. I was about to speak when she sobs and says, “No gold can repay your kindness, but I will pray. I will pray that you'll reach success and remove the sorrows in your life” 
I swallowed hard, getting a little emotional, I helped her stand up. “Ma'am it's our job, Esme is a strong little girl holding on, giving her hope to live is our job to do. Thank you for trusting us” I said, giving her an embrace. 
Later on as I was about to pack my things, I opened the piece of paper again, smiling from the note beside her drawing. 
“I want to be a hero doctor just like doctor Zaira” 
“Alright everyone, pack it up, the carriages are waiting” I heard Thorne’s voice. I gently fold the paper and keep it in my bag. I'll be hanging this on my wall tonight. 
                              Thorne 
I entered my office and as I loosen my neck tie, I immediately pour a rum on my glass. The sweet bitterness on my rum gives spice and burns on my throat. Zaira successfully went to her dorm safely until the president gave me damn paperwork. 
I can sense a presence behind the shadows of the seats. "I know you're there. What is it this time?" I asked, taking a sip of rum.
North smirked. "Thought you’d be drowning yourself in booze again." He tossed a folder onto my desk. "Got something interesting."
I raised a brow. "And this is?"
"Just open it."
I did—and my stomach twisted. A photo of my mother. Standing beside a woman who looked exactly like Zaira.
"I guess fate really pulled you in," he said with a smirk.
I frowned. "What are you getting at?"
"You were six, Thorne. Six years old when you found your parents dead in the snow." He leaned back, his tone turning serious. "I dug into the case—connected the pieces."
 
"Zenith and your mother, Therese, were best friends," North said, his tone measured. "They went to the same school—both prodigies. Together, they created a vial that could enhance a person’s natural talent." He paused. "But it was banned. Too dangerous. The formula contained particles that could harm the human body."
I stayed silent, gripping the edge of my desk as he continued.
"Your mother had a boyfriend—Owain," he went on, grinning like he already knew the weight of his words. "He was a cadet, well-connected. But for some reason, he quit. Took on different jobs… until Zenith found out what he was really up to."
North leaned forward, his expression darkening. "Owain was a terrorist. Sure, he saw potential in Zenith and Therese’s work, but not for the reasons they thought. He used your mother—manipulated her—to get closer to the kingdom."
A cold knot tightened in my stomach.
"Years passed. Owain abused your mother. He was behind the fire in Ravinglen’s southeastern village. The authorities traced it back to him." North scoffed. "Imagine—an entire village burned down, and the wreckage was littered with wedding decorations."
My hands clenched. I could hear my own heartbeat pounding in my ears.
"Then I found this." North slid a paper toward me. "A marriage certificate—your parents’ names… and Zaira’s parents’ names. When you were six, your family visited Glacierbrook to see them." His gaze met mine. "I assume you remember that day."
"According to the findings from the authorities," North continued, his voice low, "four bodies were found that day. The coachman, your father, your mother—and Zenith."
I felt a coldness settle in my chest, but I didn't look away.
"The second coachman made it out, though," he added. "He got help. He said a woman, badly wounded, stopped in front of them—blood all over her dress. They tried to help her. Your father and mother got out to find her."
The memory hit me like a wave, cold and sharp. I was six again, waiting outside in the freezing winter. My mother had told me to stay put, but I didn’t know why—maybe I just didn’t remember. Then, a scream. My mother’s scream.
Fear gripped me. I wanted to run, to go to her, but I couldn’t move. The silence stretched for what felt like hours before the door swung open. My mother, soaked in blood, staggered toward me. My mother lifted me into his arms without a word. She didn’t respond, just held me tightly as she ran, ducking into the trees, hiding me in the thick snow and the shadow of the bushes.
It was freezing. My mother pressed a final kiss to my forehead. I could hear the footsteps, the frantic scrambling of strangers. Horses neighing in the distance. I didn’t speak, couldn’t speak.
In the depths of my fear, I was found by the authorities, but it was too late. When they found my mother’s favorite cloak—saturated in crimson blood—that’s when it hit me. She was gone.
A rage overwhelmed me, burning like fire, screaming for revenge. I couldn't look away from their picture. Because of Zenith they're all dead. She dragged my parents into this. Her face reminded me of her, the prettiest woman, just like the snow, so cold, so perfect. Zaira’s face burned in my mind, and I couldn't understand it. How could she share blood and flesh with this wetch! 
And Owain… I would drown you in the depths of hell, make you pay for every moment of pain you caused.