The billionaire's beautiful marionette

Lucas's pov

The rain ceased when I stepped back into the hospital, but the call with Matt lifted my spirits a bit before a familiar chill attacked and clung to me like the past-unchangeable and bitter.

My shoes clacked against the tiles drawing a few glances from nurses. I didn't take too much notice of them. I moved like a man with purpose.

Lucia.

Her name felt like a memory in my mind. Short. Soft but layered with strength.

She had disappeared down that hallway thirty minutes ago and I remained outside longer than I had hoped. The call from Matt came to mind again but I quickly shoved it aside. My mind was elsewhere.

Not on my mother's diagnosis or business or my empire waiting for me but on Lucia.

The fierce woman who intrigued me, a feat few women managed to achieve.

She reminded me of my sister - Clara.

I hadn't really thought of her in months. Years, maybe. Not really. But something about Lucia - the flames hidden in her icy eyes,the sharp edge of her voice, her natural instinct to protect someone smaller - brought back memories of Clara I had buried beneath towering buildings and business deals.

Clara had been soft but fierce. A gazelle in motion. At thirteen, she had twirled her way into national competitions and won as the youngest in her class. The paparazzi couldn't get enough of her,calling her a ballet prodigy. I just called her gazelle.

Until the day the music stopped playing. A car crash. Instant death.

I hadn't been there to save her.

I couldn't save her.

But maybe, just maybe, I won't be so useless this time.... maybe I could do something finally.

I moved past the hallway where Lucia had passed through and found the billing desk. My voice, low but commanding.

"There was a young woman here. Lucia. Mid twenties. She brought in a younger patient today - Sophia."

The receptionist, a slender woman with worn out eyes blinked slowly. "I - I can't give you information on our patients sir."

"I'm not asking for bullshit information," I said smoothly. "I'm here to settle the medical bills for the girl."

The woman was skeptical. "Even if I had the power to allow that - these things require authorization."

I leaned forward, producing my black card and sliding it across the counter like a secret weapon. The receptionist looked at it with wide eyes before I continued, "you'll find that authorization comes quite quickly when the hospital board is partly funded by Marano group charities,love."

The receptionist looked flustered now.

"Right. Forgive me sir."

I didn't stick around for the process. I moved back into the hallway, my eyes scanning for Lucia.

I found her outside the pediatric ICU.

She stood as her arms were wrapped around her body, her back against the wall, head tilted back like she was communing with a ceiling that had no God.

Her eyes were tightly shut, lashes wet.

She murmured words too quiet to hear.

I didn't disturb her.

I just stood there and watched.

And for a second something squeezed in my chest. She was so tiny next to the huge hospital walls. So loud in her quietness. Everything about her screamed vulnerability - and yet not once did she beg for assistance.

She really reminded me of Clara.

She seemed like someone who still had faith that love alone could hold the world together.

When she finally opened her eyes, she saw me. Her expression darkened.

"You again," she said, cleaning her cheeks. "What,you want round two of the vending machine?".

I couldn't help but offer the smallest of smirks. "Thought, I'd check if you somehow managed to win the snack war."

She exhaled before laughing loudly. "Not quite sir. The war continues till I get my twix."

It was my turn to laugh now, she still managed to be funny which was impressive.

"How's your sister?" I asked, shifting the mood quickly.

Lucia's jaw tensed before she replied. "She's stable for now. But they're refusing to run some of the scans for her. Because I can't afford them."

Her voice cracked just a little.

I didn't let my expression waver as I continued, "What if you could?"

Lucia blinked.Three times."What?"

I shifted forward, my voice even."What if someone already handled it?"

She frowned deeply."What are you talking about?"

"I mean," I said, sliding my hands into my pockets," your baby sister's medical bills have been paid for. In full."

She went deathly still.

"No way." She shook her head defiantly. " I can't accept it. I didn't ask for that. I didn't want that."

"I didn't do it because you asked for it."

"Then why?" she snarled,tears falling now.

"Because you felt pity for me? Is that it?

Am I part of some kind of billionaire charity project now?"

I didn't flinch at her words.

"I did it," I began calmly, "because I lost someone once.someone who danced like the entire world was at her feet.someone who would still be alive if she had been helped sooner."

She stared at me,surprised.

"I don't need rescuing," she murmured softly, but her voice wavered.

"I'm aware," I replied, moving closer.

"That's precisely why I did it. Because you're too proud to ask."

For a long moment, she stayed silent as her eyes examined the floor then she whispered,"Thank you."

I nodded once."You're welcome."

Before she could say more,my phone buzzed. I took a quick look at it.

Matt Richards - again.

"Excuse me, I need to answer this," I said, stepping out.

I answered Matt's second call with practiced calmness."Mr.Matt."

His voice boomed through."Twice in a day - this must be destiny Lucas."

I smirked."or just poor timing."

"Same difference. Just checking in because I'm bored. Thought I'd trouble your ass a little more before your work swallows you whole."

"You're doing a perfect job of troubling me now."

"Well good.Anyway tell your mother I said hi though. And hey - next time we hit LA, let's swing by that poker place you love so much. God knows we need to gamble for real."

"I'd be careful if I were you, you know you always lose right?" I said with amusement in my voice.

"It's still fun regardless."

"So no drama in your life, huh?"

My eyes darted back towards the hallway where Lucia stood a few seconds ago.

"No drama," I said coolly. "Just..a storm on the way."

Matt laughed. " Ain't that the truth. Catch you later Mr. Ghost Marano."

"Later asshole."

I ended the call, pocketed my phone and shifted my gaze towards the hospital where Lucia stood moments ago. I didn't believe in fate or destiny.

But this?

This felt like an opportunity, a second chance in disguise and I would gladly take it.