Chapter 4

• "Handle it, or don't bother coming back."
• The estate's steel gates slid open, revealing a tall male figure with crimson eyes and short white hair. The man, appearing to be in his late 40s, wore a white coat that gleamed under the afternoon sun.
• A pair of muscular men, dressed in black suits, stood by his sides, standing upright. At a glance, anyone could tell this was no ordinary persona.
• A black jeep, with a neat and polished exterior, pulled up in front of him. He slowly picked out a pack of cigarettes from his coat's pocket, picking one with an elegant swing, and lit it.
• He took a long drag, the smoke curling from his lips as he exhaled heavily.
• The serene atmosphere was broken by the insistent ringing of his phone which he found annoying.
• He furrowed his brow, "This better be something relevant, or else..." As he took a glance at the screen, he recognized the caller and murmured, "I guess they must have taken care of that."
• "Albert?" He spoke into the receiver.
• "Uhm... Sir... , I just deemed it necessary to bring it to your awareness that—"
• "Just cut to the point Albert," he interrupted, his voice carrying a bit of irritation.
• "He's awake, sir," The voice on the other end of the line informed him.
• As these words sunk into his mind, the man's eyes widened, and the cigarette slipped from his mouth.
• Without a word, he hung up, exhaled heavily once more, and muttered, "Some people are just too stubborn to die."
• He stubbed out the cigarette beneath his shoe, ensuring the embers were extinguished. Straightening up, he scoffed, "So when it comes to death, he becomes a cockroach."
• ***
• Back at the hospital, the sudden change in Riley's demeanor left the group stunned and questioning the reality of the situation.
• The boy who was in a state of panic earlier desperately seeking escape from them like a prey trying to escape the clutches of its predator now stood before them, his mood calm and composed.
• Without giving their evident confused state attention, Riley walked past them, seemingly unflustered.
• "What the hell is up with him?" Sarah said under her breath as she looked at her brother with disdain.
• Riley paused briefly, casting a glance over his shoulder. "Are you guys just going to stand there or follow me?"
• The doctor, still adjusting the situation, stammered a response. "Oh... Y... Yes," he said, adjusting his coat, and straightening himself as he followed Alexander, a sense of unease settling in.
• "Oh Lord, what kinda bad luck streak am I on..."
• The others were equally perplexed as they trailed behind the doctor.
• Upon reaching the room, Riley stepped inside, his back still turned to the group.
• "Uhm... The doctor's the only one I want to see," he stated in a gentle and carefree tone. Yet, they couldn't shake off the unease they were feeling, like something was breathing down their necks.
• "The rest of you can wait outside." Riley concluded.
• Exchanging glances, they struggled to process his request.
• Before anyone else could respond, Sarah scoffed unable to mask her irritation, "Just get it over with," She stormed out.
• "You heard him, Albert!" She added, referring to the butler.
• "I'm right behind you Miss Sarah," Albert said before departing.
• Left alone with the doctor, Alexander waited as the man hesitantly stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.
• "I'm just going to run some minor checks to confirm the results from earlier," the doctor said, as he prepared to examine Riley.
• "Sure sure, do your thing doc," Riley responded, his attention drifting elsewhere.
• Fragments of memories kept trickling into his head as the doctor proceeded with his examination—memories belonging to Alexander Sinclair. He saw different scenes;scenes where Sarah insulted him and bullied others at school.
• A bitter laugh escaped his lips. “So this is Sarah’s true nature. I really was blind, wasn’t I?”
• The doctor paused, eyeing Riley cautiously before continuing with his task. “What was that?”
• “Nothing,” Riley replied with a faint smile, his attention drifting back to the visions swirling in his mind.
• After checking Riley's heartbeat, he concluded, "That's a wrap."
• "We'll need you to stay here for some days, just to monitor your recovery process before releasing you."
• "Just... Try not to do anything crazy," he laughed, tapping Riley gently on the shoulder. Maybe this was his way of being cautious, not to offend the son of Mr Sinclair.
• Ignoring the doctor's remarks, Riley inquired, "What year is it, doctor?"
• The doctor gave him a confused look, "2013..." He responded.
• "So I was taken 11 years back..." Riley whispered to himself.
• The doctor looked at him weirdly, "okayyy?"
• The doctor felt more at ease now that he was done handling the boy in front of him. At least he could work more freely with other patients.
• "I'll come check up on you later, okay?"
• As the doctor turned to leave, another question from Riley froze him in his tracks.
• "They asked you not to do anything, didn't they?" Riley lowered his voice.
• The doctor's feet became heavy, shock evident on his face.
• In Alexander's body, Riley possessed not only his own memories but also Alexander's. As a result, he remembered the real reason why Alexander was hospitalized in the first place.
• He had suffered from a sudden heart attack the previous night and was rushed to the hospital; his father, however, had instructed the doctor not to intervene, effectively letting him die.
• Thanks to this access, Riley was also aware of one information none of his medical attendants knew. The cause of the heart attack.
• It was no coincidence, but it was orchestrated by the very people who were supposed to care for him. The heart attack was a result of a poison mixed with his food, by his sister.
• To everyone who was now aware, of him being awake, Alexander Sinclair miraculously survived. However the only miracle which took place was Riley Smith's rebirth.
• He observed the doctor's reaction. "I assume your shocked silence means I'm right," he staged calmly
• The doctor, trying to maintain his composure, laughed nervously. "What are you talking about, why would they—"
• Riley persisted, "There's no need to pretend, doctor." He continued, clearing his throat, "'Our lives are saved'—is what you said earlier, correct me if I'm wrong."
• With a gentle smile, Riley added, "Add that to the nurse's shock earlier when she saw me awake, and the equation becomes balanced."
• "You were all scared because if I died, it would damage your careers greatly..."
• "A professional being unable to save the son of the famous Mr. Sinclair from a mere heart attack.... Your career would be in shambles."
• The doctor's fists tightened, as sweat gathered on his forehead. Whether he denied it or not, he knew the child in front of him had already figured everything out.
• But rather than playing it cautious like he had been doing, the bottle of frustration he had been keeping inside him burst open. "Look, I don't know what messed up internal freaking conflict is going on in your family, or what fucked up mindset you all have, but please, I just want to be left the fuck out of it!"
• As if receiving a sudden shock reminding his mouth of who he was ranting to, his hands rushed to cover his mouth.
• Riley, amazed by the doctor's sudden gutsy outburst, began to laugh. The doctor on the other hand felt ridiculed with this display.
• "I've heard rumors of what he's capable of. Please... I just want to continue my peaceful career." The doctor pleaded.
• Riley exhaled heavily, bringing a pause to his laughter, "There's no need to eat yourself up, doc. I just wanted to confirm what I had in mind, that's all," he assured him.
• As he finished speaking, Riley noticed a shadow beneath the entrance of the room. A smirk crept onto his face as he remarked,
• "Looks like he's here."
• "What?" The doctor asked, following Riley's gaze to the room's entrance, his stomach sinking as the door creaked open.
• A man wearing a white coat entered, closing the door on two muscular men in black suits outside.
• Recognizing the figure in front of him, the doctor hastily moved aside and stood up straight, stammering, "I... I wasn't aware you were coming, sir."
• He bowed respectfully, "W... Welcome," but the man paid him no attention, his gaze fixated solely on Riley.
• Smiling, Riley addressed the newcomer, "I'm surprised you had the time to come..."
• "Father..."
• Note: From the next chapter, Alexander Sinclair would be referred to as Riley in the story's narration.