***
The moment Tristan stepped off the plane, he was hit by the crisp, cool air of Switzerland. It was a far cry from the humidity of New York, and for a second, he felt like he was in a different world. The kind of world where the mountains weren't just a backdrop to a city but were the entire reason for the city's existence.
His phone buzzed just as he was about to step toward the baggage claim. It was Jared, of course.
"Tristan! My man, you made it!" Jared's voice boomed, even through the phone's speaker. "How was the flight? Did they treat you like royalty?"
"Yeah, they treated me just fine," Tristan replied dryly. He grabbed his suitcase from the Carousel, eyeing the small crowd of passengers around him. "I'm guessing you're on your way to pick me up, or am I taking a taxi?"
" Then you'll be on your way to the hospital, mate," Jared quipped. "I'll be there soon enough to drag you away from all that work."
Tristan chuckled as he walked through the terminal. "No rest for the wicked, I suppose. I'll see you in a bit."
"Don't get too comfortable," Jared warned. "I'm coming in hot."
True to Jared's word, Tristan found his friend waiting just outside the terminal. Jared's broad grin and the way he waved a hand in the air made him look like he was greeting a celebrity, even though Tristan was far from that. Atleast in his own eyes.
"You made it!" Jared exclaimed, giving Tristan a brief but firm hug. "Welcome to Switzerland. What do you think? Not too shabby, right?"
Tristan couldn't help but smile, taking in the beautiful mountain views around him. "It's a hell of a sight, I'll give you that. But you're still going to have to show me what you're all so excited about."
"Oh, we've got plenty planned for you, don't you worry." Jared smirked as they began walking toward his car, a sleek black SUV. "But first, I'm dragging you to Zurich Hospital. That's where the magic happens, mate."
Tristan raised an eyebrow. "Zurich Hospital, huh? Fancy name."
"You're damn right it is," Jared said with a wink, opening the car door for him. "World-class facility. And it'll be even better when we get our research program up and running. You ready to make history?"
"I'm ready to save some lives," Tristan replied, settling into the passenger seat. "And get out of the spotlight for a while."
Jared laughed as he started the engine. "You can't hide forever, my friend. You might have come to Switzerland for the work, but trust me, the work here will find you."
As they drove through the winding streets of Zurich, the conversation shifted to Tristan's family back in London.
"I take it you haven't told Simone yet about your move, huh?" Jared asked casually, glancing at Tristan with a sly grin.
Tristan groaned. "Not yet. I was hoping I could avoid that conversation."
"You know she's gonna be pissed, right? The second she hears about it, you're gonna get a thousand questions."
"I'll deal with her later," Tristan muttered. "Besides, you're the one who made it sound so appealing. I just hope I didn't make a mistake."
"Hey, no backing out now," Jared teased. "Besides, you'll love it here. Just wait till you see the hospital. Top-tier stuff."
"Right, right," Tristan said, leaning back in the seat and closing his eyes for a moment. He could already feel the weight of the transition settling in. The work here would be unlike anything he had done before, and while that was exciting, it was also a bit daunting.
Jared continued to drive, occasionally pointing out different landmarks and making small talk, but Tristan's mind wandered back to his sister. Simone had always been a force in their family business—the one who kept everything together while Tristan and their father had their own separate lives. She had made it clear that she didn't want Tristan to leave London for any extended period. Yet he ended up in New York.
But he had made the decision. There was no turning back.
As they neared the hospital, Jared's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and rolled his eyes.
"Guess who it is?" he said with a dramatic sigh. "Your sister."
Tristan grinned and shook his head. "I'll deal with her."
Jared looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "You sure about that? She's probably calling to yell at you already."
Tristan held up his hand. "Let me have this one then sooner rather than later."
He answered the call and heard Simone's voice on the other end, a mixture of irritation and concern. "Tristan, I swear to God—why did I hear about your move from the papers? You couldn't even call me first?"
Tristan winced, the edge of guilt tugging at him. "Simone, it's not like that. I didn't have time to make a big announcement. I had to make a decision fast."
"Fast?" she repeated. "You've been thinking about this for months. And now, I hear it through the media? Do you have any idea how much work I've been doing to keep this business afloat?"
"Simone, calm down," Tristan said softly, hoping to diffuse the situation. "I'm not abandoning the family . I'm just… taking a step back for a bit. This is something I need to do."
There was a long pause on the other end before Simone sighed, her frustration giving way to something softer. "I just don't want to lose you, Tristan. You're my little brother. I need you here."
"I'll always be here for you, Simone," Tristan said, his voice reassuring. "This doesn't change anything. And when I get back, we'll figure out the next steps."
Simone's voice softened. "I just wish you'd communicated better. But I understand. Just… make sure you're doing this for the right reasons."
Tristan chuckled. "It's for me, Simone. Don't worry. I'll make it work."
"Fine. But don't think I'm letting you off the hook that easily," she warned before the call ended.
As the line went dead, Tristan leaned back in his seat, shaking his head. "Guess I'm not getting off that easy after all."
Jared smirked. "You're always in trouble with her, mate. But hey, at least you've got me to distract you from it. Now, let's go make some history."
**********
Back in Canada, Leona sat quietly in Marcus' living room, the weight of her diagnosis pressing down on her like a heavy blanket. The past month had been a blur of medical tests, appointments, and endless questions. She had been given the diagnosis in such a clinical manner that it almost felt like it wasn't real.
Her heart—her very life—was on borrowed time.
Marcus, her editor and best friend, sat across from her, his eyes filled with concern. He had been by her side through everything, but even he was struggling to find the right words.
"Leona, you need to start treatment," Marcus said gently, his voice careful but firm. "You can't just wait. You've got too much to live for."
Leona shook her head, pulling her knees closer to her chest. "I've accepted it, Marcus. What's the point of fighting it? I don't want to be a research subject. I don't want anyone experimenting on me."
"But Leona," Marcus insisted, leaning forward, "this is your life. Your future. You've worked so hard to get where you are, to build this career. Don't let it slip away." he pressed
Her thoughts swirled with the words he said. She had lost so much—her parents, her life before the diagnosis—but could she really start treatment? Could she really fight when she felt so exhausted by the whole thing?
"I don't know if I can," she whispered.
Marcus took a deep breath, his gaze softening. "Then let me help you. Let me be there for you, just like I've always been. I'll help you through it. But I need you to make the decision. The doctors in Switzerland—they might have something that can help you."
Leona met his eyes, unsure of what the future held but feeling the need to at least explore all her options. "What's the alternative? Just… live out the time I have left?"
Marcus reached out, gently placing his hand on hers. "I think you owe it to yourself to try, Leona."
She closed her eyes for a moment, considering his words. "Okay," she whispered finally. "I'll try. But I'm doing this for me, not anyone else."
"Whatever it takes," Marcus said, a hint of relief in his voice. "We'll figure it out together."