Theron noticed the anger in her eyes.
The outrage. The grief.
It was clear she truly cared about Theo.
And in that moment, the last trace of doubt disappeared.
Whatever resemblance there was, Scarlett couldn’t be his biological mother.
If she were, she wouldn’t look at him like that-with such raw, unguarded protectiveness.
“I haven’t found her yet,” Theron said. “But I’m guessing she was planted by someone who wants to get to me.”
Scarlett let out a sharp breath.
“Cowards,” she muttered. “Using a kid like that.”
His words pulled her back into her own past.
Her baby had died during childbirth.
But if she hadn’t been locked away…
If she hadn’t been left there…
That child might still be alive.
Which meant-
In a way, her child had been taken from her too.
James.
Sadie.
They had destroyed everything.
The anger surged again, hot and suffocating.
Some things didn’t just fade with time.
Some things had to be settled.
“Mommy… Mommy…”
The weak voice broke through her thoughts.
Scarlett looked down.
Theo’s face was flushed red, his lashes trembling as he called for her.
Just like that, the anger drained from her expression.
“Hey… it’s okay,” she said softly, brushing his hair back. “I’m right here.”
The boy’s lips curved into a faint smile.
Even like this, he looked… relieved.
Scarlett lifted her gaze to Dr. Nyx.
“Can you treat him?”
Dr. Nyx snorted.
“That’s a strange question coming from you. How many times have I pulled you back from the brink?”
As he spoke, he was already moving, starting the treatment without another word.
Scarlett exhaled quietly.
She’d let her emotions get the better of her.
This was Dr. Nyx.
If anyone could handle it, he could.
Then Theron spoke.
“More than once?”
His voice was low, but sharp.
“You’ve been seriously hurt before?”
Scarlett turned slightly.
He was watching her closely, his expression tense, concern clear in his eyes.
It caught her off guard.
They barely knew each other.
Why did he care?
She didn’t answer.
After a while, Dr. Nyx stepped back.
“The kid’s condition didn’t happen overnight,” he said. “It’ll take time to fix. Careful treatment, steady recovery.”
“How long?” Scarlett asked.
He rubbed his chin.
“Six months, give or take.”
Then his eyes lit up.
“Actually… this works out perfectly.”
He turned to her.
“You know I don’t stay in one place long. Never have. Sit me down somewhere too long and I’ll go crazy.”
He pointed at her.
“So I’ll teach you. You handle his treatment.”
He’d offered before.
Many times.
And every time, she’d turned him down.
Medicine had never interested her.
But this time…
She didn’t hesitate.
“Alright.”
Dr. Nyx blinked. “You’re serious?”
“But I’m not becoming your student.”
He waved it off.
“Fine by me. We’re not doing titles anyway.”
Truth was, he’d always wanted to teach her.
Not just because of their history-but because she had the talent for it.
Natural instinct.
Wasted, up until now.
“Come on,” he said, already energized. “We’ll start with a pressure technique. Don’t underestimate it-it’s not some spa trick.”
As Dr. Nyx began explaining inside the room, Theron quietly stepped out.
He closed the door behind him and glanced back, thoughtful.
A low whistle came from nearby.
“My God…” Rhys muttered.
Theron followed his gaze.
The hallway was filled with his men-all down.
Every single one.
Taken out by one person.
Her.
Rhys’s eyes gleamed with interest.
He looked like he wanted to test her himself.
“The background check?” Theron asked.
“Still running,” Rhys replied. “We’ll have something by tomorrow.”
Theron nodded.
Then his gaze swept over the fallen guards, turning cold.
“When they wake up, send them north.”
Rhys blinked. “For how long?”
“A year.”
Rhys didn’t argue.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.