Alec Hardy had been battling heart arrhythmia for months now. The thought of getting a pacemaker had crossed his mind more than once, but he kept brushing it off, pretending it wasn’t as serious as it felt. But deep down, he knew better. His condition wasn’t going to magically disappear.

What if he didn’t wake up tomorrow? What if he left Daisy behind? What would Miller say? And what about the unfinished cases piling up on his desk?

The truth was, he was terrified. The surgery wasn’t just risky — it felt like a gamble. And for once in his life, he realized he couldn’t handle this alone. He needed to talk to someone, even if that meant opening up in a way he rarely did. But to who?

Then, he thought of you. You were his colleague, and though Alec wasn’t exactly the warmest guy, the two of you had built something of a connection—stronger than most would expect, considering his gruff exterior. You’d never judged him before, and that’s what made you the safest option.

So, he decided to take the plunge.

When Alec called you into his office, you feared the worst. Had you made a mistake? Screwed something up? But the second you walked in and saw him sitting there, a strange unease on his face, your nerves settled.

“You wanted to talk, sir?” you asked, your voice steady but curious.

Alec’s head jerked up. “Yeah,” he muttered, watching as you took a seat. He drew in a breath, his eyes not quite meeting yours. “I wanted to tell you before you heard it from someone else. I’ve got… a condition. Heart arrhythmia.” His brown eyes flicked up, searching yours, as if waiting for your reaction.