Chapter Eighteen
RONAN
Present Day
NEW YORK CITY
Owning General Wellness hospital meant lives were in my hands—lives that required more than good intentions.
My family’s wealth helped build it, but that legacy came with a duty to heal.
When I took over at twenty-seven, the hospital was on the verge of collapse, with neglected patients and overstretched staff.
Driven by my family’s suffering in a place like this, I pooled some money from my inheritance and invested heavily to restore its integrity and purpose.
As the youngest to take on such a monumental task, I held a medical degree from NYU Grossman, all while completing my oncology residency and fellowship.
This was my first time in the media spotlight, not only for my age, but for the radical changes I implemented.
I introduced advanced diagnostic equipment, electronic health records, and state-of-the-art surgical technologies, significantly improving patient outcomes and recovery times.
The hospital transformed from near bankruptcy to regional acclaim by prioritizing staff well-being, improving infrastructure, and fostering empathy and excellence.
Collaborations with top medical schools, expanded community outreach, specialized care units, and the addition of a mental health department reinforced our commitment to holistic care.
“Dr. Romano?” Nurse Maria’s voice was gentle yet insistent.
“Come in,” I called, setting aside the papers.
She stepped in, her expression serious. “It’s time for your appointment with a new patient.”
I nodded, gathering my notes and slipping my stethoscope around my neck. As I stood, Maria paused at the door, concern on her face.
“There’s one problem,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper.
I paused, my heart sinking slightly. “What is it?”
“This patient… they can’t afford the necessary treatment.”
I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling a familiar pang in my chest. In this line of work, there were few things more heartbreaking than the intersection of illness and poverty.
“How bad is her state?” I asked, dreading the answer.
Her eyes met mine, a silent plea in them. “You’ll see for yourself.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steel myself for what was to come. “Alright. Let’s go.”
We walked down the sterile, gleaming corridors, the hum of activity around us a stark contrast to the turmoil I felt inside. Each step echoed the gravity of the situation, the knowledge that someone’s life hung in the balance.
When we reached the patient’s room, I paused outside the door, gathering my thoughts.
Inside, a beautiful figure, older in age, lay on the bed, her eyes reflecting both hope and fear.
“Good morning, Ms.,” I grabbed her file, my eyes stuck on the name, “Leann.”
This name sounded oddly familiar, and I had no idea why.
I introduced myself and felt a deep ache in my chest. This was someone who needed our help, someone who was facing a battle without the means to fight it.
“How are you feeling today?”
Her voice was barely a whisper. “Scared.”
I nodded, taking a seat. “I understand. We’ll do everything we can to help you. I promise.”
We delved into the conversation, and by the looks of it, she found out about her illness six months too late when she did a Plasma thermogram and an HPV test.
“And you were transferred here, correct?”
She nodded, her full head of hair bouncing. “That’s correct.”
The signs of cervical cancer were clear, and that reminded me of my mother and all the sorrow that came with it.
“Are you here alone?”
“I am,” she sorrowfully admitted. “I haven’t told my daughter yet.”
“Why not?” I pried.
“I’m all she has. I don’t know how to tell her her mother is dying.”
There it was. The single sentence that caused a single tear to slip down my cheek. The love of a mother for their child knew no bounds, and I didn’t know much now, but all I knew was I’d do everything to help her.
I cleared my throat and began speaking, “I’m going to have you do a full blood count test as well as some diagnostic imagery to make sure what I have here is up to date with what’s going on in your body.”
“Thank you, do—” Her phone rang, and she answered it, and before I could step out, I heard a name: Azzaria, and then my mind went to Dillon.
Shit.
There was no fucking way.
His girlfriend’s mother had cancer?
She ended the call, apologized, and we resumed our conversation. I kept stumbling over my words, stunned. She felt familiar, and I realized why. She was an exact carbon copy of Azzaria.
“As it relates to the payment metho—”
“I won’t waste your time here, Doc,” she started, “My jobs can barely hold up the cost for treatment. My health c—”
“Ms. Leann, do not worry about that. Once your results are back, I will have you started on treatment immediately, one that isn’t too harsh on your body.”
She stared at me in amazement, as if she was stunned by my reaction. “I can’t possib—”
“My parents and sister died from cancer. My grandparents died from failed kidneys. I witnessed firsthand the agony my mother endured, discovering too late that it had already ravaged her body. You are someone’s mother, Ms. Leann, and believe me, nothing prepares a child for the loss of their parent.
So, yes, I will do everything in my power to ensure you receive the treatment you need, to give you a chance to live a little longer. ”
Her eyes filled with emotion, breaking my heart. I vowed to ensure they got the help they needed, knowing I had the money and assets to make it a reality.
“I cannot begin to thank you enough,” she expressed.
I handed her the referral X-ray and blood work form, and then informed Rachel to have the lab technicians prepare for her arrival in ten minutes.
“Do me a favor, Ms. Leann?”
She looked up at me, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
“Fight,” I urged, my voice breaking. “Fight as hard as you can, for as long as you can, and I promise I’ll take care of the rest.”
To my surprise, she stood up, eyes shining with hope, and hugged me gently yet desperately, her frail body trembling against mine.
It reminded me of my mother’s embraces. Though my mind and soul were heavy after the visit, I had to press on.
I would tell Dillon once the test results were in, but auditors would likely criticize the patient payments, a rule I found pointless.
Afterward, I oversaw my interns, checking vital signs and preparing three patients for chemotherapy. Once everything was in order, I headed to my office at Romano Enterprises on Central Avenue for a critical meeting with my team.
The building was a striking mix of antique elegance and modern sophistication, its ornate facade softened by sleek contemporary accents.
Romano Enterprises was the center of everything I’d built: medical practices, luxury real estate around the world, high-end restaurants and bars, boutique hotels, and stakes in publicly traded companies.
My investments stretched across the stock market, emerging tech startups, and profitable franchises.
Upon arriving at my office, I was immediately surrounded by paparazzi, their cameras flashing.
“Ronan! Any comments on the latest venture?”
“How do you juggle so many successful enterprises while being a doctor?”
With a polite smile and brief replies, I navigated through the crowd, “Thank you for your interest. I’m focused on the work and my incredible team.”
Inside, the atmosphere shifted to calm professionalism. The lobby featured a grand staircase and a mix of vintage and contemporary art.
“Good, you’re here,” Rachel said, relieved, holding her iPad. “We’ve got a two-hour-long meeting.”
“Two hours?” I groaned. “What are we discussing for that long?”
“A lot. Payments, upcoming trips, and remember your session with Dr. Saad. Then you’re free for the rest of the day.”
I groaned again, already frustrated, and entered the meeting room. The space was sleek, with a long oak table, ergonomic chairs, and large windows offering a city view.
“Good morning, everyone,” I greeted chirpily. “Let’s get to it, shall we?”
As the meeting commenced, the conversation quickly turned to my numerous ventures.
“The new menu at your bar in SoHo has been a tremendous hit,” one department head remarked. “We’re seeing a significant uptick in reservations.”
“Great,” I responded. “There is a health department visit upcoming. How are we on that?”
“As good as always. Our last score was a hundred, spot on.”
I smiled, pleased, and moved on to the next topic, “And what about the Solar Seasons Hotel? How are the renovations coming along, as well as upkeep and staff?”
Another head replied, “The renovations are on schedule, and we’ve already booked several high-profile events for the grand reopening.
The upkeep is great, and we sent you the documents of our newly hired staff a week in advance.
The only glitch thus far was a land issue, but we contacted Mr. Reyes for the contract, and it was sorted. ”
“Excellent. Our projects in Europe, Africa, and Asia?” I asked, looking around the table.
“Progress is steady,” the international operations manager said. “We’ve established strong partnerships and are seeing promising returns.”
“Thank you for the reminder,” I said. “As of now, Mr. Reyes is our official lawyer, all transport goes through Elite Rides, and our European and Asian ventures are set for expansion.”
The room buzzed with polite agreement as everyone made their notes.
“Rachel will hand out personalized folders with the updated terms and our goals. Understood?”
“Yes, sir,” came the unified response. We moved on to discuss managerial training, language courses, customer service, and finances. As some members excused themselves, I spoke with the finance and operations managers.
These meetings were held tri-monthly to ensure everything was running smoothly.
At the end, I nodded, satisfied. “Let’s keep this momentum going. We’re on the right track.” Once the room emptied, Rachel placed a stack of papers in front of me, and I got to work.