The city was alive outside, but Aiden sat in silence in the penthouse suite.
He had always been good at hiding weakness.
In boardrooms.
On stages.
In the media.
But he couldn't hide it from his own reflection.
He stood shirtless in front of the mirror. The faint scar along his chest from the recent procedure peeked out.
The weight in his chest wasn't only emotional.
It was physical.
It reminded him every day — this life might give him a second chance…
…but not enough time.
---
There was a knock at the door.
"Come in," Aiden said.
Yuuto stepped inside with a tray.
His smile was polite, but a little softer today.
"I brought you your lunch, sir," he said.
Aiden looked at him, noticing the slight tremble in Yuuto's fingers.
"Are you okay?" Aiden asked.
Yuuto blinked. "Me? I'm fine."
Then he paused. "Actually… can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Yuuto hesitated, then said, "Have we met before?"
The question hung in the air.
Aiden looked into his eyes, heart pounding.
"I don't think so," he said quietly. "But… it feels like we have."
Yuuto smiled faintly. "Yeah. That's what I thought too."
Their eyes lingered longer than usual.
Aiden wanted to tell him everything.
But he couldn't.
Not yet.
---
As Yuuto turned to leave, Aiden suddenly staggered, gripping the edge of the table.
"Sir—!" Yuuto rushed to his side, steadying him.
"I'm fine," Aiden muttered, forcing a breath. "Just stood up too fast."
But Yuuto wasn't convinced.
"Are you… sick?"
Aiden didn't answer. He looked away.
Yuuto watched him for a moment, then placed a hand gently on his arm.
"Whatever it is… don't face it alone."
Aiden looked up, surprised.
Even without his memories, Yuuto still cared.
That broke him a little.
Yuuto stepped back and gave a small bow before exiting.
---
In the hotel's private security room…
The hotel owner watched the whole thing from the screen.
He saw Yuuto catch Aiden.
He saw Aiden's weakness.
He saw everything.
And he leaned back slowly in his chair, smiling.
> "So… the heart is failing again."
His eyes darkened with quiet jealousy.
> "How long do you have this time, Aiden?"
Then he looked at Yuuto on the screen.
> "Will you run to him again?"
He turned off the screen.
> "Let's see."