At San Raffaele Gruppo San Donato Hospital, Justine's son had been shot at point-blank range and was between life and death due to severe bleeding.

"Miss Delacroix!" Dr. Spina called out.

Justine lifted her downcast face before asking, "How is my son?"

The doctor on duty, with a heavy look on her face, explained the situation coldly but without hiding her pain. The .38 caliber revolver had caused devastating damage.

The doctor paused before continuing, the weight of her words like a blow.

"We removed the bullet and cleaned the wound, but his chances of survival are practically nil." The neurosurgeon said. "The injury is extremely serious, because when it hit the bone, it fragmented into three pieces. One piece lodged in the left side of the brain. Another pierced the jugular vein, and the third tore the skin on his neck as it exited."

"Please save my son, doctor!" Justine pleaded in desperation.

The neurosurgeon looked at Justine, who was sobbing and crying, but the doctor had to be realistic, even if it dashed her hopes: "Even if he survives, the brain damage may be irreparable. The brain connections are seriously compromised."

Justine, her eyes fixed on the floor, felt a complete emptiness take over her chest. But the doctor's words still echoed in her mind. "Practically nil..." She couldn't understand, and something inside her broke.

"No." Justine's voice came out shaky, as if she were trying to speak, but her throat was too tight. "No... this can't be happening. My son can't die, doctor. Please, no..."

She approached the doctor, as if a gesture of closeness could change the course of events. Despair was etched on her face, but she still tried, somehow, to cling to a thread of hope, however tenuous it might be.

"No... please, doctor, don't let my son die." Justine begged, crying. "He has to stay with me. He has to come home."

The doctor took a deep breath before giving him another piece of fateful news: "Your son needs a transfusion, and we don't have any RH-negative blood bags. I checked to see if I could get some from other hospitals or collection centers, but it's a rare blood type."

"Are you sure, doctor?" Asked Justine, nervous.

"I've already checked, Mrs. Delacroix." Sighing, Dr. Spinha reiterated.

Persistent, Justine asked, "Can't he receive a different blood type?"

"Mrs. Delacroix, golden blood has red blood cells that do not have any type of RhD antigen, which makes it very special and dangerous for your son," the doctor explained. "Bryan can only receive blood transfusions from the same blood type," Dr. Spina patiently explained. "Do you understand?"

"Yes, doctor!" replied Justine, choked with tears.

"Do you know anyone in your family who has that blood type, Mrs. Delacroix?"

Nodding, Justine wiped her tears with her hand. Only fifty people in the world had that blood type, and one of them was the man who had rejected Justine when she was pregnant.

Despite her suffering, Justine was willing to do anything to save her son's life.

❛ ━━━━･❪ ❁ ❫ ･━━━❜

In front of the imposing building in the center of Milan, Justine stared at the huge golden sign and read it again: "Harrison Giordano Group." She had been trying to get in for over two hours, but the security guard had stopped her at the entrance. She had no choice but to wait until she saw her ex-husband.

A light rain began to fall, but a mother's desperation was stronger. Justine tried to find shelter under the roof of the small corridor leading to the revolving door at the entrance to the building. The executives looked at her with contempt, both at the exit and at the entrance.

"That's the ex-wife of the CEO of the Harrison Giordano Group," one woman whispered as she shared the gossip with another. "She's the traitor," the nasal voice said with disdain.

Even in the face of all the condemning looks, Justine remained steadfast in her purpose. She would not leave until she found Kevin. Tired, she looked up at the top of the building; she knew her ex-husband was there, and at some point, someone would report the presence of the CEO's ex.

In the company's boardroom, the tall man adjusted his slim-fit blazer and smoothed the black fabric over his chest and abdominal muscles.

He had an authoritative posture. Despite his handsome jawline and well-defined chin, he maintained a stern expression. Picking up his cell phone, he opened the messaging app and listened to the audio from his fiancée: "Honey, don't be late for our wedding rehearsal dinner."

"I'm on my way, Beatrice," he replied and pressed the button to send the voice message.

Kevin ran his hands through his brown hair with blond highlights, throwing the straight strands back. He adjusted the collar of his white linen shirt and loosened the knot of his tie, which seemed to be suffocating him. Getting married again was the last thing he wanted, but to expand the family business, he would go all the way.

The loud knocks on the door made him frown even more. Turning around, he strode to the door and opened it.

"What is it this time, Alessandro?" His inquisitive gaze glared at his assistant.

"Mr. Harrison, your ex is back."

"How dare she?" His forehead wrinkled even more.

"The security guard told Justine to leave, but she's still standing in front of the building. I'm going to call the police."

"No!" Kevin raised his right hand, interrupting him. "I'm going to resolve this situation once and for all."

Closing his fists at his sides, Kevin left his spacious office decorated with classic furniture.

In the private elevator, he stared at the frown of the red-faced man reflected in the mirror. The veins in his forehead and neck were bulging. Mentally, he cursed the day he fell in love and did everything for the woman who betrayed him. When he stepped out into the lobby, the employees moved aside, making room for their boss to pass.

Some of the executives greeted him, but in that moment of rage, Kevin didn't want to talk to any of his company's employees; the heavy footsteps of his loafers on the vinyl floor echoed until he crossed the main entrance of the building.

Outside, Justine looked up. Her heart beat fiercely when their golden and blue eyes met. Justine gripped the strap of her purse tightly the second she faced her ex-husband's grim expression.

"What are you doing here?" He shouted the question. "I hope you came to pay me the money you owe me.

Bryan... you had Bryan shot to get revenge on me."

"Who is that?" Kevin interrupted her. "And why would I kill your new lover?"

Justine's face burned with embarrassment. Some of the passersby watched the scene curiously. Quickly, the assistant approached Kevin, who towered over the woman of average height.

"Sir, your driver is waiting for you. "you." Alessandro pointed to the Lamborghini parked on the sidewalk.

Running his hands over his face, Kevin tried to regain his composure.

"Bryan is my son, and he's dying because you sent one of your henchmen to shoot him."

"Listen carefully, because I'm only going to say this once." Kevin hissed the words through clenched teeth. "I didn't send anyone to shoot your son, and I would never be capable of such a thing." He turned on his heel, turning his back on her before shouting, "Please pay me the money you owe me."

The driver opened the back door of the luxury car for his boss. Kevin sat down in the seat, adjusting his posture on the soft upholstery.

"Wait, please!" She ran and stopped beside the car, kneeling before he closed the door. "Help my son!"

"You owe me seventy thousand euros, and you still want more money?" A spark of hatred flashed across the man's face as he glared at her. "How dare you?"

"Please donate some of your blood to my son," Justine replied, her voice trembling.

"Get out of here, you crazy woman," the assistant ordered, then touched her shoulder to push her away. "The boy isn't my boss's son."

"Wait." Kevin's hoarse voice commanded, while his blue eyes disapproved of the assistant's attitude. "Why are you asking me this?" Kevin's inquisitive gaze rested on Justine.

"I, I..." The terrible lump in her throat almost prevented her from continuing. After a short pause, Justine continued: "I don't know what to do; my son is dying." She burst into tears as she tried to explain. "He has your blood type."

Kevin's expression softened. The boy had rare blood like his.

"How can you insist on this lie? Everyone knows you had a child with your lover." Alessandro replied incredulously. "Stop bothering Mr. Harrison."

"I'm telling the truth!" She stood up from the floor and justified herself.

Passing by her ex's assistant, Justine got into the car without being invited.

"Kevin, I'll do anything... I'll even work for you for the rest of my life if you save my son's life." She made the promise as she struggled with the assistant, who pulled her out.

"Get out; you're getting the boss's car seat wet." Alessandro intervened, pulling her out of the car and leaving her in the rain.

Justine didn't know what to do anymore. Kevin could use this to get revenge. For a moment, she feared that her ex would take his anger out on his own son.

Alessandro got into the Lamborghini, closing the passenger door behind him. The driver started the car. Outside, Justine followed the car, banging on the window.

"Please help my son," Justine begged as the luxury car sped away. In tears, she watched the car drive away.

"What if the boy really is my son?" The question hammered at Kevin's subconscious.

"Mr. Harrison, this woman is trying to deceive you again," Alessandro replied as if he had heard his boss's thoughts. "Justine is a liar!"

"Shut up!" Annoyed, Kevin broke the silence.

Running his hand over his clenched jaw, he looked back the same way he had years ago, after discovering the betrayal. The memories slowly came back. He had been betrayed and robbed by the woman he loved so much. He felt nothing for his ex-wife, but he was shaken to learn that the boy was dying.

That night, the hotel ballroom was lit up like a fairy tale. Kevin stood in a corner, watching the scene with a distant look. He seemed to be there, but his mind was far away, wandering through a maze of restless thoughts. The sight of his excited bride did not seem to touch his heart with the intensity it should have.

Beatrice approached him, radiant in a stunning wedding dress, the smile on her face sincere and full of expectation. However, the sparkle in Kevin's eyes was missing, as if a dark cloud hung over him.

"Are you okay, dear?" Beatrice asked, placing her palm on Kevin's, breaking him out of his trance.

Kevin looked at her, trying to hide his inner turmoil, and then he smiled, which seemed more forced than genuine.

"Yes!" he asserted firmly. "Why?"

"You seem distant." She withdrew her hand and looked at him with concern. "Relax, today is a special day."

 There was no way Kevin could relax after meeting his ex. The encounter with his ex-wife and Justine's desperate plea were hammering in his mind. Part of him wanted to save the boy, but his deep-rooted anger demanded revenge on the woman who had betrayed him.

"Excuse me!" Kevin interrupted the moment, getting up from the table and leaving Beatrice with a perplexed look.

"Where are you going?" she asked, looking up for an answer.

"I'll be right back." He hurried out without looking back.

Kevin gestured for his assistant to follow him. As soon as they reached a more secluded corner, away from the curious glances of the guests, Kevin turned to Alessandro with a serious expression.

"How can I help you, sir?" Alessandro asked solicitously.

"Find out which hospital the boy is in," Kevin demanded, his tone brooking no argument.

"But, sir..." Alessandro hesitated.

"Do as I say," Kevin growled through clenched teeth.

"Do you know the boy's name?"

"It's Bryan," he remembered clearly that Justine had mentioned the boy's name.

"We don't know his last name, sir!" Alessandro protested.

"Are you stupid?" Fury reverberated in his voice. "Justine must have given the boy her last name..."

"I'll look for Bryan Delacroix, sir." The assistant agreed, a little shocked by the importance his boss placed on Justine's son.

"I want the information in half an hour," Kevin ordered, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Yes, sir!" Reluctantly, Alessandro hurried off to carry out the order.

That night, Alessandro did everything he could to inform Beatrice about the return of the CEO's ex, but she was so entertained by the guests at the rehearsal dinner that she barely spoke to him that night.

Meanwhile, Beatrice was so immersed in the celebration, coordinating the final details and interacting with the guests, that she didn't notice Kevin's strange behavior. Her excitement contrasted sharply with the concern and torment that plagued her fiancé.

When he returned to the hall, Kevin straightened himself in his wedding suit. The well-tailored suit seemed somehow even more oppressive to him. He entered the hall with his posture straight and his mind heavy, his attention divided between the impending ceremony and the distressing situation involving Justine's son.

In her elegant white silk dress, Beatrice gracefully paraded through the hall until she was closer to her groom. 

"Time for photos, dear!" she said discreetly, smiling.

Kevin adjusted his posture and stood beside her. The contrast between the bride's joy and Kevin's melancholy was almost palpable. Each flash of the cameras seemed to capture not only the beauty of the moment, but the shadow of a memory Kevin could not forget.

He couldn't stop thinking about his wedding to Justine years ago. His heart had been bursting with joy that night. No matter how hard he tried to distance himself from the past, Justine was forever etched in his memory. The love, the betrayal, and the uncertainty about the future of a possible child. The doubts and conflicting emotions were a burden he couldn't simply ignore.

The night wore on, and although the hall was filled with joy and celebration, Kevin's heart was elsewhere, wrestling with an internal dilemma that could change the course of his life forever.

________________

San Raffaele Gruppo San Donato Hospital, Milan.

In the intensive care unit, the distraught woman sat beside her son's bed. Her dark blond hair brushed against her tear-stained face, while her amber eyes gazed at the purple marks and cuts on little Bryan's face. It was painful to see her son lying weak and motionless on that bed.

The entire medical team continued to search for the golden blood for the boy's transfusion. Silently, Justine touched the boy's plastered arm. Bryan liked to play soccer and was always breaking something when he played ball at home.

In that troubled moment, all she had left was the faith that a good person would donate blood and save little Bryan.

"Mrs. Delacroix!" the doctor called.

"Yes!" Justine dried her face with her palms.

"We found a donor!" the doctor said with a restrained smile.

"Really?" she asked as she stood up.

Justine could hardly believe what she heard.

"Yes," the pediatrician assured her. "The donor is already undergoing all the tests and will soon be ready for blood collection."

Sighing with relief, Justine looked at her sleeping son and then turned to the doctor.

"Thank you so much, doctor!" She hugged her.

She had her back to the door as she thanked the doctor and didn't notice that someone had appeared in the doorway.

"Thank the blood donor," said the doctor, pointing to the tall man who stood frozen in the doorway.

As she turned on her heels, her face froze. A lump in her throat prevented Justine from speaking. Why did he decide to back out of his decision? The question occurred to her as she stared into eyes as blue as the sky on a sunny morning.