The golden light of early morning crept through the curtains of Keira’s modest bedroom. The scent of brewed coffee and warm toast lingered in the air, blending with the soft hum of city life just starting outside. Inside, it was still—the kind of peaceful stillness that came after a storm. Keira and JC sat at the small breakfast table, plates of eggs and toast between them, moving slowly, savoring the rare quiet moment like a couple in a familiar rhythm.
Keira wore her hospital uniform as she was about to go to work. JC, in his casual tee, sipped from the mug she handed him without words. No grand gestures, no elaborate conversation. Just glances, shared silences, and the occasional half-smile that said more than any words could.
“You sure you’ll be okay today?” JC asked softly, brushing a thumb across her wrist.
Keira nodded. “I’ve had worse shifts.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “Still pretending you’re made of steel, huh?”
She leaned in, kissed his cheek gently. “I’ll be fine. But you—be careful out there.”
JC’s smile faltered slightly. He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Today’s my last run. I’m handing in my resignation.”
Keira paused, surprised. “You’re serious?”
“I should’ve done it a long time ago,” he said. “I’ve spent years in life-or-death missions, always wondering if I’d see the next sunrise. But I can’t keep gambling like that, not when I have a reason to live for.”
Her heart swelled, eyes stinging a little.
He kissed her once more, then they quietly left. JC drove her to the hospital, hand occasionally brushing hers between gear shifts, their fingers sometimes meeting and lingering.
When they reached yo the hospital where Keira works he helped her out of the car. She turned to him, touched his chest, memorized the warmth of his body.
“Text me after you submit the letter,” she said softly.
He nodded. “Promise.”
And then he drove away.
But something shifted the moment JC pulled onto the main road. A sleek black vehicle turned from the corner and fell in line behind him. At first, he thought it was coincidence—West City was busy this hour—but when he changed lanes, the car mirrored him. Twice. He slowed down; the car slowed with him.
JC’s gut tightened.
He took a sudden right, heading away from the Security Agency Office. The car followed. He switched directions again. Still behind him.
He knew a tail when he saw one.
For nearly an hour, he wove through the city's streets, trying to lose them. Eventually, he found a quieter highway exit—one that led into the less-traveled edge of the city. Just when he thought he’d escaped, the black car surged forward, colliding violently into his rear bumper.
The world spun. Glass shattered. Metal screamed. JC's body slammed into the steering wheel as his car flipped once… twice…
Then darkness.
---
HOSPITAL – Keira’s POV
The day had started slow. No emergencies, no code blues. Just routine patient checks and chart updates.
Until the blaring sirens shattered the quiet.
Two stretchers rushed through the doors. One was fully covered in white.
Keira’s heart jumped. Something felt… off.
The ER doctor moved to examine the body. The limp hand that hung off the stretcher’s side told Keira enough. The patient was DOA. No pulse. No life.
Still, her attention was drawn to the second gurney being wheeled in fast—covered in a white sheet, but unlike the first, this one moved slightly beneath.
She rushed to help guide the stretcher to the hybrid room, her hands trembling slightly.
“Two-car collision,” one of the rescuers explained. “We had to cut the guy out. He’s unconscious but still breathing.”
Inside the hybrid room, as the doctor removed the sheet, Keira’s breath caught.
“JC,” she whispered.
Time froze.
Her knees weakened, and she stumbled back.
“Keira, do you know him?” Dr. James asked, eyes widening.
She nodded, her voice lost in her throat.
“Get Nurse Rachel to assist. Keira’s not in condition to help here,” James called, motioning to a nearby nurse.
Angie, who had seen everything from the glass door, rushed to Keira and gently guided her outside.
“It’s okay, Keira. He’s here now. He’ll get help,” Angie murmured.
Keira barely heard her. All she could think was: He just dropped me off. He was smiling… talking about resigning… how did this happen?
Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Minutes later, Cathy joined her, offering quiet support. The three stood in the hallway, holding one another together in the silence of fear and uncertainty.
A few moments passed before one of the paramedics approached her.
“Are you a relative?” he asked gently.
“No, but… I know him. Please… what happened?”
“We need someone to notify his family. If you could contact them…”
Keira nodded, numb, and pulled out her phone. Hands shaking, she dialed Jessie.
“Jessie,” her voice cracked. “JC… JC was in an accident. He’s here. Emergency room.”
Less than an hour later, Jessie arrived, her breathing heavy from rushing.
“What happened to him?” she asked, eyes wide.
Keira shook her head, still stunned. “They said it was a crash. Two cars. The other driver… didn’t make it.”
Before Jessie could speak, two uniformed police officers entered.
“We’re looking into the accident,” one said. “Is either of you related to the victim?”
Just then, Casper stepped into the ER, eyes wild with worry.
“Jessie, I got your message. What happened?” he demanded.
The officer turned. “Are you family of the man who was brought in with the blue sports car?”
“I’m his older brother,” Casper said immediately. “Casper Queen. CEO of Queen Empire Corporation.”
“Mr. Queen,” the officer said, straightening, “we have some important information to discuss. If we could speak in private?”
Casper’s jaw tightened, but he nodded. “Lead the way.”
As they disappeared into a consultation room, Keira stood silently outside the hybrid room, staring at the swinging doors.
The man she had just spent the night holding, laughing with, planning for a future with…
Now lay somewhere beyond those doors, fighting for his life.
And all Keira could do was wait.