Past?

The faint hum of advanced medical equipment filled air, a quiet yet persistent reminder of the world around him

The fresh air of a rooftop garden, a feminine laughter, and the vibrant energy of that dream dissolved into a stark and oppressive stillness.

Ethan's gaze fell on the empty chair beside him, his mind replaying the image of Claire as if she had just been there.

Her smile, her voice, the way her eyes lit up in the glow of the lights—all of it now felt like a cruel echo of what he had lost. The ache in his chest returned, sharper than before, a weight he couldn't shake.

It had been a dream—a memory, fragmented and idealized. And now, all he had was the suffocating silence of reality.

Ethan opened his eyes to a warm, golden glow. The world around him didn't resemble the alternate dimension or apocalyptic chaos he had come to expect.

Instead, it was achingly familiar—a place he hadn't visited in what felt like an eternity.

'The Celestial Sky Lounge?' he thought, his brow furrowing. 'What the hell am I doing back here?'

The surroundings were surreal, almost too perfect to be real. The soft glow of fairy lights strung between elegantly trimmed hedges cast a warm ambiance over the exclusive rooftop garden.

The faint hum of the bustling city below reached his ears like a distant melody, grounding him in a memory that felt both comforting and disorienting.

It wasn't just the place—it was the energy, the rhythm of the evening.

It felt like he was reliving a part of his past, but not just watching it unfold. He could feel it, every interaction, every glance, as though he were both observer and participant in this intricate replay.

---

Ethan was at the center of it all, as he always had been. He sat with his usual effortless charisma, leaning back in his chair with one arm draped casually over the back of the seat next to him.

His tailored black suit, subtle silver pinstripes, and crimson shirt unbuttoned just enough to hint at his sharp collarbone exuded a devil-may-care charm that turned heads and left lingering gazes in his wake.

The way his crooked, roguish smile danced on his lips made it clear that Ethan Cross wasn't just a doctor—he was a man who thrived on attention, and tonight, he had plenty of it.

To his left sat Claire, her emerald green dress hugging her figure in all the right ways, elegant yet understated. Her auburn hair fell in soft waves over one shoulder, and her sharp green eyes, though playful, held a depth that intrigued him every time they locked onto his.

To his right, Lila, a vivacious brunette with a wild streak, leaned in with a teasing grin. Her off-the-shoulder black dress revealed her toned shoulders, while her dark eyes sparkled with mischief.

Across the table, Sophia, a soft-spoken blonde, sat in a pale pink gown that shimmered faintly under the garden's golden light. Her delicate features and gentle demeanor gave her an almost angelic presence, though her curious gaze betrayed a sharp intellect.

---

"You know," Claire began, her tone light but edged with teasing, "for someone who runs the most advanced hospital in the city, you spend a surprising amount of time… not in it."

Her words elicited laughter from the others, their voices a harmony of light and warmth.

Ethan chuckled, swirling the wine in his glass with a lazy flick of his wrist. "Now, Claire, don't tell me you've joined the list of people who think I neglect my duties."

Claire arched a perfectly sculpted brow. "You've been here all evening charming us, while somewhere, someone might actually need you."

"And I've got the best team in the city handling everything," Ethan replied smoothly. He leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table as his sharp gaze met hers. "If anything goes wrong, I'll know before anyone else. And if it's an emergency, I'll be back at the hospital before you can say 'prognosis.'"

Lila smirked, nudging him with her elbow. "You always have an answer, don't you, Doctor Playboy?"

Ethan placed a hand over his chest in mock offense. "Doctor Playboy? Lila, you wound me. I'm just a man who appreciates good company."

"Good company," Claire echoed with a wry smile, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that what you call this?"

Ethan shrugged, his crooked smile widening. "What else would you call being surrounded by the most brilliant and beautiful women in the city?"

Sophia blushed, her cheeks turning a soft pink as she ducked her head. Lila burst out laughing, raising her glass in a mock toast. Claire rolled her eyes, though the faint blush on her own cheeks didn't escape Ethan's notice.

He leaned closer to Claire, his voice dropping to a murmur meant only for her. "And yet, you're still here."

Her lips quirked into a reluctant smile, but she took a sip from her glass instead of responding.

---

Sophia tilted her head, her voice soft but curious. "Ethan, I've always wondered… with how busy you are, how do you even have time to meet people like us?"

Lila smirked. "Yeah, do you keep a list? Because I swear you're everywhere."

Ethan laughed, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I don't need a list, Lila. Life has a funny way of introducing you to the right people at the right time."

"Oh, please," Claire said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "You make it sound like fate."

"Maybe it is," Ethan said, his grin widening as he glanced at Sophia. "Take Sophia, for example. We met at that charity gala last spring, didn't we? You were debating that pompous executive about funding for orphanages."

Sophia's eyes lit up, a smile spreading across her face. "And you swooped in out of nowhere, out-arguing him with facts and figures I didn't even think a doctor would know."

"What can I say?" Ethan said, spreading his hands. "I'm a man of many talents."