The bright red words "Operation in Progress" glowed above the operating room doors, casting an uneasy light across the otherwise quiet corridor.

No matter how strong she tried to appear, Sophie Kennedy couldn’t possibly stay calm under circumstances like these.

Luca Hale sat beside her and gently pulled her into his arms. One hand rested reassuringly on her shoulder while the other stroked her back in slow, comforting motions.

"Don’t worry, Sophie," he said softly. "The doctors already told us the chances of success are very high. Your mother is going to be okay."

Sophie leaned against his chest and closed her eyes.

At that moment, the fear she’d been suppressing for months threatened to overwhelm her.

If Luca hadn’t appeared when he did, how could she possibly have gathered such an enormous amount of money? The thought alone made her shudder. Faced with enough desperation, who knew what choices she might have been forced to make?

"Luca..." she whispered, clutching his shirt. "Thank you."

Luca looked down at the girl in his arms.

For as long as he’d known her, Sophie had always seemed strong, composed, and independent. Yet now, with her mother’s life hanging in the balance, all those carefully built walls had finally come down.

Perhaps this was the first time she had truly allowed herself to be vulnerable in front of him.

Three long hours passed.

Finally, the operating room doors opened.

Both Luca and Sophie stood at once.

"Doctor, how did it go?" Luca asked immediately.

Sophie’s fingers tightened around his hand until her knuckles turned pale.

The surgeon removed his mask and smiled tiredly.

"You can both relax. The surgery was a complete success."

The tension that had gripped them for hours instantly loosened.

"She’ll need to remain under observation for around two weeks," the doctor continued. "As long as there are no unexpected complications, she should make a full recovery."

Sophie covered her mouth.

Her eyes immediately filled with tears.

Luca let out a long breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.

"Thank you, Doctor."

The surgeon nodded before heading off to continue his rounds.

[Bite!]

[The host spent 50,000 Dollars on Diana Kennedy and received a critical hit: Awarded full ownership of San Fierro Kanda Hospital!]

The familiar system notification rang inside Luca’s mind.

For a moment, he blinked in surprise.

He had wondered earlier why the reward hadn’t triggered immediately after the payment was made. Apparently, the system only recognized the expenditure after the surgery had been successfully completed.

Not that he minded.

San Fierro Kanda Hospital was one of the most prestigious private hospitals in the entire region. Its specialists, equipment, and reputation were second to none.

Adding it to his growing list of assets made Luca’s business empire even more astonishing.

Alongside San Fierro Commercial Street, San Fierro Building, San Fierro Grand Hotel, his thirty-percent stake in Twist Streaming, the Elvis Muskov Villa Complex, and Stone Free Grand Hotel, he now owned an elite medical institution as well.

His total assets had quietly climbed into the tens of billions.

Without even realizing it, Luca Hale had already become one of the most powerful figures in the country.

---

Soon afterward, Luca and Sophie were allowed to see Diana Kennedy.

She had already been transferred to the intensive care unit.

For now, they could only stand outside the glass window and watch her resting peacefully on the hospital bed.

Although she was still unconscious, her vital signs were stable.

Just seeing her alive was enough.

The next morning, Diana successfully passed the critical observation period and was transferred to a private recovery suite.

Luca personally arranged for one of the hospital’s best VIP rooms.

The spacious room, professional nursing staff, and comfortable environment finally allowed Sophie to relax.

For the first time in months, she felt like she could breathe.

---

A day later, Diana’s condition continued improving.

Color had begun returning to her face, and every test result brought more good news.

Sophie’s smile seemed brighter than ever.

After leaving the hospital, Luca drove her to Ashford High School.

Rachel Kennedy was waiting near the school entrance when they arrived.

The moment she heard her mother’s surgery had been successful, tears instantly streamed down her cheeks.

"Really?" Rachel asked, choking back sobs.

Sophie nodded.

"Really."

The younger girl’s emotions finally burst free. She threw herself into Sophie’s arms and cried openly.

Months of fear and anxiety vanished in an instant.

Now she could finally focus on her studies without constantly worrying about what might happen at home.

---

By the time they finished dinner, it was already nine o’clock.

The two of them strolled side by side along the quiet riverbank. The city lights shimmered across the water, stretching into long ribbons of gold and silver. A cool evening breeze drifted over the river, carrying away the last traces of summer heat.

"Luca."

"Yeah?"

"The moon is really beautiful tonight."

Luca looked up and smiled.

"Yeah. It is."

For a while, neither of them spoke.

The silence wasn’t awkward. It was comfortable.

The kind of silence that only existed between two people who genuinely enjoyed being together.

A few moments later, Sophie spoke again.

"Luca."

"Mm-hmm?"

"Today is the happiest I’ve been in a very long time."

Luca turned to look at her.

The moonlight reflected softly in her eyes.

"Then from now on," he said quietly, "I’ll make sure you have more days like this."

Sophie’s lips curved into a gentle smile.

For a while, they continued walking together.

Then she stopped.

"Luca."

"Yeah?"

"Lower your head a little."

"What?"

"I said come closer."

Luca instinctively leaned toward her.

The next moment, something soft brushed against his lips.

His eyes widened slightly.

Sophie’s face was already bright red.

The kiss had lasted only a second, but it left his heart pounding.

The river breeze seemed to disappear.

The sounds of the city faded away.

All he could see was her.

All he could think about was her.

Sophie lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

"Say something."

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Are you really speechless?"

Luca stared at her for a moment before laughing softly.

"I think I just forgot every line I’ve ever heard in my life."

Sophie covered her mouth and giggled.

"Hopeless."

Luca stepped closer.

"Then maybe I’ll just tell the truth."

"What truth?"

He looked directly into her eyes.

"I don’t think I ever want to leave your side again."

"That’s so cliché."

Her voice carried obvious satisfaction despite the complaint.

"I love you."

"Too direct."

"My heart belongs to you?"

"What kind of confession is that?"

Sophie couldn’t stop herself from laughing.

Seeing her smile, Luca felt something warm spread through his chest.

Without another word, he gently wrapped an arm around her waist.

His other hand rose to brush a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

The playful teasing slowly faded.

Their eyes met.

Neither of them looked away.

This time, Sophie took the initiative.

She rose onto her toes slightly.

Their lips met once more.

The kiss was nothing like the first.

It wasn’t brief.

It wasn’t hesitant.

Weeks of longing, years of unfinished feelings, and countless unspoken emotions seemed to pour into that single moment.

Luca held her carefully, as though she might disappear if he loosened his grip.

Sophie’s fingers curled into the front of his shirt.

Neither of them wanted to let go.

When they finally separated, both were breathing slightly harder.

Sophie’s cheeks were glowing crimson.

Luca rested his forehead lightly against hers.

"Riverbanks aren’t exactly the best place for serious thinking."

Sophie’s eyes sparkled.

"Oh?"

"I need somewhere quieter."

"And what exactly are you planning to think about?"

"You."

The answer came immediately.

Sophie’s heart skipped a beat.

After a long moment, she lowered her eyes.

"Then..."

Her voice grew softer and softer.

"Maybe we should find somewhere quiet."

A few minutes later, the lights of a luxury hotel suite overlooked the river below.

The moonlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a silver glow across the room.

For the first time, there were no hospital bills, no surgery worries, no fear about tomorrow.

There was only the two of them.

Sophie sat at the edge of the bed, her fingers nervously twisting together.

Luca walked over and sat beside her.

Neither spoke immediately.

The atmosphere felt gentle and warm.

Luca reached for her hand.

"Sophie."

"Mm?"

"If you’re unsure about anything, we can stop."

Sophie looked up.

Her eyes were bright and unwavering.

For once, there was no hesitation inside them.

Slowly, she shook her head.

"I’m not unsure."

A faint smile appeared on her lips.

"I’ve never been more certain."

Luca gently brushed his thumb across her cheek.

Sophie leaned into his touch.

Outside the window, the city lights continued to glitter beneath the moon.

Inside the room, two hearts that had spent years missing each other finally found their way together.

The night quietly carried on.

Warm.

Tender.

And filled with the promise of a future neither of them wanted to face alone.

An hour later, the lights of the city shimmered beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows of a luxury hotel suite overlooking the river.

The room was silent except for the distant sounds of the city below.

By the end of the night, Sophie had fallen asleep in Luca’s arms.

Her cheeks still carried a faint blush, and a peaceful smile rested on her lips.

Luca brushed a loose strand of hair from her face and watched her sleep for a while.

Outside the window, moonlight danced across the river’s surface.

It was one of the most beautiful nights he could remember.

The following morning, sunlight streamed through the curtains.

Sophie slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was Luca looking back at her.

Almost immediately, memories of the previous night flooded her mind.

With a small squeak, she buried her face against his chest.

Luca couldn’t help laughing.

"Good morning."

"Don’t talk to me."

Sophie’s voice was muffled.

"Too embarrassing."

Luca smiled and wrapped the blanket more securely around her.

"Then rest a little longer."

...

It was nearly lunchtime by the time they checked out.

As they walked toward the parking lot, Luca kept a protective arm around Sophie’s waist.

She shot him an annoyed glare.

Meanwhile, the smile on Luca’s face refused to disappear.

Seeing that expression only made Sophie even more embarrassed.

’This scoundrel.’

Later, while the two were having lunch at a quiet restaurant, Luca’s phone suddenly rang.

He glanced at the caller ID before answering.

"Hello?"

"Mr. Hale?" an elderly voice said from the other end. "This is William Harrington, Director of San Fierro Kanda Hospital. Do you have a moment to talk?"

Luca straightened slightly.

For respected professionals, especially doctors, he always maintained a certain level of respect.

"Of course, Director Harrington," he replied. "Please go ahead."