I stood just off to the side of the covered wall, hands tucked into the pockets of my leather jacket as I scanned the crowd gathered inside Westfort Medical.The new pediatric wing stretched behind me—bright and open, with my art about to be the first thing people saw before they walked in.
Voices filled the space, low murmurs and quiet anticipation, until the vice chair stepped forward, heels clicking with purpose as she approached the podium.
“Pleasant good morning, everyone,” she began, her voice carrying easily through the room as the crowd settled.
I straightened slightly, my jaw tightening just a fraction as attention shifted forward.My eyes scanned the crowd, looking for one person in particular.
“I want to thank you all for joining us here today to celebrate the full remodel of our pediatric wing!We all know this project has been in the works for a year now, and it was time well-deserved.Our goal for this wing is to bring comfort, warmth, and a sense of escape to our little patients who are going through the hardest moments of their lives.”
A round of applause erupted from the crowd.
“And we are incredibly honored to have collaborated with an artist whose work not only captured the beauty in design, but also the emotion—someone who understands how powerful visual storytelling can be in spaces like this.”
Smiling lightly, I gave a nod and continued to scan the crowd, spotting Benji and Jesse standing to the right.
“This piece,” she continued, “stands as a symbol of hope, resilience, and imagination.A reminder that even in places of healing, there is room for wonder.”
My eyes scanned the crowd, working across every face until I finally landed on hers.
There's my trouble.
Standing beside Nerissa, Savannah was smiling up at me, looking as beautiful as ever.Her hair was down and swaying gently in the chilled breeze, a knitted beanie sitting on top of her head.She was bundled in a dark green coat and a cream-and-brown plaid scarf.
There was no explaining the wave of peace that washed over me when I looked at her or the calmness that settled in my bones.I just felt my shoulders relax and my next breath was easier to take.
I winked at her and her smile widened, sending a jolt through me.
God, I am so in love with this woman.
“Mr.Cage, on behalf of this hospital, I offer my gratitude.And without further adieu , I’d like to invite our president and board chair to join us for the unveiling.”
Another round of applause and loud cheers came from the crowd as a male figure stepped through.I raised a brow at the sight of Adrian Maddox walking toward me.
Of course.
He moved with the kind of quiet authority that didn’t need to announce itself—tailored suit, controlled expression, presence that shifted the room without trying.
His gaze met mine briefly and I stepped forward, extending my hand just as the cameras started flashing.
“Mr.Maddox,” I greeted, polite enough for the setting.
“Cage,” he returned smoothly, his grip firm.
We turned slightly for the cameras, shoulders angled just right.I kept my smile in place as I leaned just enough to murmur under my breath, “You’re everywhere, you know that?”
His lips barely moved, but I caught the hint of a smirk.
“Trying to own it all?”I added quietly through my smile.
“What’s the point of having money,” he murmured back, “if you can’t buy the world?”
I huffed a quiet breath through my nose.
“Now the reveal!”
We stepped back as the vice chair gestured toward the covered wall, and together, we reached for the fabric.
“One, two—”
