Chapter 7 A Borrowed Life
"I can't believe this! Ethan requested a medical laboratory inside his private apartment?"
Victor Voss stared at his wife in disbelief, certain he must have misheard her.
Sophia folded her arms and nodded, "I was just as surprised as you are. At first, I thought he was joking, but he was completely serious"
Victor let out a long sigh and sank into the leather chair in his study.
"Ever since the accident, he's been acting like a different person. First, he insists on saving a complete stranger. Then he dismisses most of the household staff. Now he wants a laboratory built inside his apartment"
He rubbed his forehead, "Ethan was always difficult, but this..." He shook his head. "This is something else"
Sophia sat opposite him, "Maybe the memory loss changed him"
Victor looked at her in amusement, "You really believe that?"
"I don't know what to believe anymore." She paused before continuing. "But did you notice something yesterday? He agreed to accompany you to the Consortium's party meeting. That's the first time he's shown any interest in the family business"
Victor became quiet. For years, he had tried to involve Ethan in the affairs of the National Medical Consortium, but every attempt ended in arguments. Now, after one accident, his son had agreed without putting up a fight.
"I think we should build the laboratory," Sophia said softly.
Victor frowned, "A laboratory?. Do you really think the request makes any sense?
He doesn't know the first thing about medicine"
"Maybe not," she admitted. "But if granting this one request encourages him to mature, I think it's worth it"
Victor remained silent for several seconds before he sighed heavily.
"Okay, I'll have the engineers begin the designs today"
Sophia smiled faintly, "Thank you"
Victor leaned back in his chair, "I just hope this accident didn't change him more than we realize"
Meanwhile, Theo stood beside Marcus ( in Ethan's body) inside the spacious living room, holding a digital tablet.
"As requested, sir, I've prepared a summary of your daily schedule."
Marcus gestured for him to continue, so Theo scrolled through the file.
"You usually wake up around noon..."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, “ That's unbelievable”, he muttered.
"...skip breakfast,spend most afternoons at the boxing gym or the shooting range..."
Theo hesitated, "...and you spend most evenings at clubs"
Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose, "Anything else?"
Theo cleared his throat, "You were also involved in several altercations"
"What kind?"
"You once fought the son of a cabinet minister inside a nightclub"
Marcus blinked, “ I avoid fighting by all means”, he thought .
"And after fighting him...", Theo looked uncomfortable. "...you started dating his girlfriend."
Marcus ruffled his hair, "Oh my goodness. That's….."
Theo continued before he could interrupt, "That wasn't the only incident"
Marcus already regretted asking, "The club your father shut down last year..."
"Yes?"
"You reopened it without permission"
Marcus closed his eyes, “ This boy must be a weapon fashioned against his parents”, he thought again.
Theo continued anyway, "You openly ignored the closure order. When your father found out, he had the club sealed again and confined you to the estate for one week"
Marcus nodded slowly, "That sounds reasonable"
Theo gave an awkward smile, "Unfortunately... during that week, you destroyed almost thirty thousand dollars' worth of furniture, artwork and electronics because you were angry"
Marcus stared at him in shock, "I did what?"
Theo nodded, "You personally smashed them"
Marcus let out a slow breath, "That's enough". He said, then Theo immediately stopped talking.
"I don't think I can handle hearing any more of Ethan Liam Voss's achievements this morning"
Theo almost smiled but quickly composed himself, "Alright, sir."
Marcus stood up, "I'll figure out the rest myself"
Theo handed him a folded blueprint, "This is the layout of your apartment, sir. You requested it yesterday"
"Good"
Marcus unfolded the blueprint and spread it across the center table. His eyes moved carefully over every line.
The private apartment occupied an entire wing of the Voss estate. It had its own entrance, a private garage, a gymnasium, a swimming pool, a library, a cinema room, and enough bedrooms to accommodate dozens of guests.
Marcus couldn't help shaking his head, "So one person actually lives in all this?"
"Yes, sir," Theo answered. "This entire wing belongs to you"
Marcus traced a finger along the blueprint until he found the garage, "How many vehicles are assigned to me?"
"Eight, sir"
Marcus looked up, "Eight? That's much"
Theo nodded without the slightest hint of surprise, "You rarely use the same vehicle twice in one week"
Marcus gave a bitter smile, "My previous life revolved around paying off a car loan. Now I'm expected to choose between eight cars"
Theo frowned slightly, "I'm sorry, sir?"
Marcus quickly cleared his throat, "Nothing. I was just thinking out loud"
He folded the blueprint and handed it back, "I'll be going out tomorrow morning"
Theo made a note on his tablet, "Very well, sir"
"I don't want a large convoy. Only one vehicle will do"
"Sir... are you certain?"Theo asked in surprise
Marcus nodded, "I've spent enough time lying in bed. I need fresh air"
Theo hesitated for a moment before asking respectfully, "Would you like me to prepare a destination?"
"I already have one"
"Should I inform Chairman Voss?"
Marcus thought for a second before shaking his head, "No need, I'll tell him myself"
"Understood", Theo turned to leave when Marcus suddenly called him back.
"Theo"
"Yes, sir?"
"You've been with me for a long time, haven't you?", he asked
"Almost seven years"
Marcus nodded slowly, "Then answer one question honestly"
"I'll do my best, sir"
"What kind of person was I before the accident?"
Theo looked uncomfortable and Marcus noticed the hesitation immediately.
"You don't have to flatter me, just plain truth"
After a long silence, Theo finally spoke, "You were feared more than respected"
Marcus lowered his eyes, “ Hmm”
"You never listened to advice. You trusted very few people"
"And?"
Theo took a careful breath, "Deep down... I always believed you weren't as bad as people claimed"
Marcus chuckled, "What makes you say that?"
"There were several occasions when you helped people without letting anyone know"
Marcus's curiosity was piqued, "Wow. Like what?"
Theo smiled faintly, "I'm sorry, sir"
"You don't remember those things anymore. And I think it's better you discover them yourself"
Marcus stared at him for several seconds before giving a small nod, "Fair enough"
Theo bowed slightly, "If you'll excuse me, I'll make the necessary arrangements for tomorrow"
After he left, Marcus walked toward the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the vast estate.
Marcus stood by the window, taking in the breathtaking view of the estate. Luxury cars lined the driveway, armed guards watched every entrance, beautifully maintained gardens surrounded the mansion, and servants carried out their duties with quiet efficiency. Everything around him reflected a level of wealth and influence he had never imagined possible.
To anyone looking from the outside, Ethan Liam Voss seemed to have the perfect life. Yet the more Marcus learned about him, the more he realized that money and privilege had done little to fill the emptiness he carried. A life marked by constant conflict, reckless choices, and a strained relationship with his own family was far from perfect.
He rested one hand against the glass.
"Maybe..."
"...this life deserves a second chance too"
Just then, a gentle knock echoed from the door. Before Marcus could respond, Sophia's voice came from outside.
"Ethan? Are you awake? I need to speak with you”
Marcus turned toward the door, "Come in"
The door opened gently, and Sophia walked in with a warm smile that failed to hide the worry lingering on her face. Since the accident, she had been watching every little thing her son did, afraid that something might be wrong.
"I hope I'm not interrupting you," she said.
Marcus shook his head. "Not at all"
She glanced at the blueprint on the table before looking back at him.
"I actually came to tell you something"
“ What's that?”, Marcus asked
"The doctors have arranged for your routine checkup this morning. Maya will be coming over from the hospital to examine you"
A faint smile crossed Marcus's face, "Good"
Sophia looked at him curiously, "I thought you disliked being examined"
"I dislike unnecessary people," Marcus replied indifferently. "Maya is enough"
Sophia nodded in agreement, "I felt the same way. Dr. Thorpe wanted to come personally, but I told the hospital there was no need. Maya is more than capable of carrying out your follow-up examinations"
Marcus simply nodded, that was one problem solved. He wasn't ready to face Reginald unless it was absolutely necessary.
Sophia reached into her handbag and placed a leather wallet together with a bunch of keys on the table.
"I almost forgot these". Marcus looked at her, confused.
"Your bank cards and car keys were taken from you after the accident. The doctors have finally returned them"
He picked up the wallet and opened it. Several premium bank cards sat neatly inside, but one immediately caught his attention.
His attention was immediately drawn to a dark green card. Marcus had heard about it before, it was an exclusive card reserved for the ultra-wealthy. He quietly closed the wallet and slipped it into his pocket before picking up the keys.
"There are keys to all your cars," Sophia explained. "Although I still don't expect you to drive until the doctors are completely satisfied with your recovery"
Marcus gave a noncommittal nod, "I'll keep that in mind"
"There is one more thing", Sophia hesitated.
"Your father is attending the National Medical Consortium's party meeting this evening"
"He wants you to accompany him"
"I don't think that's necessary", Marcus answered non-challantly
Sophia wasn't surprised by the answer, "It's only a few hours, Ethan. He was genuinely happy when you mentioned joining him yesterday"
He looked away, "I've only just returned from the hospital. I don't have the energy for political gatherings"
"I understand."
Sophia didn't argue further, because she had expected resistance.
"I'll let him know how you feel"
She offered him a gentle smile before turning toward the door, "Oh... and breakfast is ready whenever you're hungry". The door closed softly behind her.
Marcus exhaled, “Attending meetings with influential people was the last thing on my mind”
A few minutes later, another knock sounded on the door.
"Come in," Marcus said.
The door opened, and Maya stepped inside carrying a black medical bag. Dressed in a neatly pressed white coat with her hair tied back, she looked every bit the professional doctor.
"Good morning, Mr. Voss," she greeted.
"Morning"
She placed the medical bag on the table and smiled politely. "I'm here for your follow-up examination"
She took out a digital blood pressure monitor.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Voss," she said politely.
Marcus sat down without saying a word. Maya wrapped the cuff around his arm and switched on the monitor. A few seconds later, it beeped.
"Your blood pressure is normal," she said, removing the cuff.
She reached for his wrist and checked his pulse before making a few notes.
"Have you experienced any dizziness since you returned home?"
"No"
"Any headaches?"
"That occurred only occasionally", Marcus replied
Maya nodded and picked up a small penlight, "Please look straight ahead"
Marcus kept his eyes fixed on her as she examined both pupils carefully.
"Follow the light"
He did exactly as instructed.
"Good"
She switched off the penlight and took out a reflex hammer, "I'd like to check your reflexes"
Marcus instinctively extended his leg. Maya paused briefly before tapping below his kneecap. His leg responded immediately.
She repeated the examination on the other leg before asking, "Please squeeze my hand". Marcus did.
"Harder", Maya uttered.
He increased the pressure. Maya nodded with satisfaction before recording the results.
Maya finished recording her observations before closing the file.
"Everything looks good," she said. "Your recovery is progressing better than we expected"
She returned the medical equipment to her bag before taking out a small pack of tablets and placing it on the table.
"Continue taking your medication as prescribed and avoid anything too strenuous for the next few days. If you experience severe headaches, dizziness, or blurred vision, contact the hospital immediately"
"I will"
Satisfied, Maya picked up her medical bag, "I'll submit my report to the hospital"
"Thank you"
"You're welcome, Mr. Voss"
She inclined her head politely before turning toward the door. A moment later, the door closed softly behind her, leaving Marcus alone once again.
Marcus changed into a crisp white shirt and black trousers before instinctively reaching for a tie. He had just tightened the knot when he caught his reflection in the mirror.
He stared at himself for a long moment, then let out a quiet sigh, "Old habits"
That was how Dr. Marcus Hale had dressed every day before heading to the hospital, but he wasn't Marcus anymore.
At least, not on the outside.
He pulled off the tie, unbuttoned the shirt and changed again. This time, he chose a pair of baggy blue jeans, a plain white T-shirt and a light jacket. After slipping on a gold wristwatch and a simple chain, he looked at himself once more.
"That's more like Ethan", he murmured.
Picking up the car keys Sophia had returned earlier, he walked out of the room.
"Theo," he called.
The bodyguard appeared almost immediately, "Yes, sir?"
"Get the car ready. We're going out"
"Where to, sir?"
Marcus picked up a notepad from the table, wrote down an address, and handed it to him. Theo glanced at it briefly. It was a small village on the outskirts of the state.
Without asking any questions, he folded the paper, "I'll have the car brought around immediately, sir”
A few minutes later, the sleek black SUV rolled to a stop in front of the private apartment. Marcus slid into the back seat while Theo took the driver's seat. Without another word, the vehicle pulled away from the estate.
The journey lasted for more than an hour.
As the towering skyscrapers disappeared behind them, wide expressways gradually gave way to narrower roads lined with scattered houses and farmlands.
Marcus remained silent throughout the drive, his eyes fixed on the passing scenery.
Theo glanced at him through the rear-view mirror but wisely chose not to interrupt. Eventually, the SUV turned onto a rough village road.
"We're almost there, sir," Theo said.
Marcus gave a slight nod. As they approached the end of the road, his gaze landed on a white luxury sedan parked a short distance ahead.
His heartbeat quickened, because he recognized the vehicle immediately.
Theo slowed the SUV, "There isn't enough space ahead, sir"
"Park beside it"
Theo maneuvered the vehicle into the only available space, stopping right next to Reginald's car.
Marcus stepped out and walked toward the ruins, with Theo following a few steps behind.
The moment his eyes fell on Reginald, his expression hardened. Beside him were two locksmiths carrying toolboxes and a pair of laborers already clearing away pieces of the collapsed structure.
He smirked, "What are you doing here?" he asked, his voice calm but cold.
Reginald turned around, caught off guard. The surprise lasted only a moment before he forced a smile.
"Oh... Ethan? What brings you to a remote village like this?"
"I believe I asked you first," Marcus replied, ignoring the smile.
