Love through it all

Chapter 6: Broken Ethics

Mark had always been the one to keep his worries to himself. It wasn’t just a habit. It was a survival tactic. Growing up with James, his childhood best friend, had shaped him that way. Their bond was so deep that their parents often joked they were more like brothers than friends. Born on the same day, minutes apart, Mark was always the older one, the more responsible one; something that irked James to no end. James, in his younger years, had tried everything to flip the script, even going so far as to sabotage Mark to appear more responsible in their parents' eyes. The most memorable of those stunts had landed Mark in trouble with the law. It was a moment that could have cost him dearly, but James, true to his nature, had taken the fall, claiming it was all his fault, not wanting to see Mark face consequences.

As they grew older, Mark had learned to shield his emotions. It became second nature to him. He always kept his troubles hidden, never wanting to burden James. He couldn’t let his friend see him vulnerable, especially when James had his own set of issues. But that night, something had shifted.

The image of the woman who had fallen into his arms kept replaying in his mind. Her face, her hazel-blue eyes. There was a sadness there that Mark couldn't ignore. Her lips had been so close, and for a moment, he’d been tempted to lean in, but her eyes stopped him. There was too much pain in them, a depth that made him pull back. But, for a fleeting second, he’d sworn there had been something else, something softer. Love, maybe? Or was it just his own emotions running wild, stirred by the intensity of the moment?

Saturday nights had always been for letting loose. Mark and James had a tradition, talking about everything and nothing, drinking, laughing, sharing stories of their lives, their wives, the girls at the club. They’d never talked about work, not once. That had been the one unspoken rule between them. But tonight, was different.

Mark raised an eyebrow, noticing James’ worry. His friend’s frustration had been growing over the last few weeks, but tonight it had finally boiled over. “Oh dear, what did she do now?” Mark asked, a hint of humour in his voice, but it was laced with concern.

James slammed his glass down on the table, his face contorted with irritation. “Her medical bills are escalating. She doesn't have a job, doesn’t want to listen, just... doesn’t want to do anything with her life!”

Mark paused, his own drink halfway to his lips. “Is Stella, okay?” he asked quickly, sensing the sharpness in James’ tone.

James quickly corrected himself, realizing he had spoken too loudly about his patient. He tried to steer the conversation elsewhere, but it was too late. Mark, always perceptive, could see the cracks in his friend’s facade. James, the man who never spoke about work outside of the office, was breaking his own rule. That alone was enough to make Mark pay closer attention.

“So, who’s this patient?” Mark asked, his curiosity piqued.

“She’s twenty-five,” James started, rubbing his forehead as if trying to push the words out. “She lost her parents when she was six. Had a stillborn baby a few months ago. Quit her job to mourn, but... she’s stuck. Doesn’t want to move forward.”

Mark felt a pang of sympathy for her, though he couldn’t quite grasp why. There was something in James’ voice, a mix of anger and worry, that made the woman’s story resonate. But it was more than that. Mark’s mind flashed back to the moment they’d crossed paths; when she’d bumped into him in the hallway. He remembered the sadness in her eyes, the way she’d looked almost lost in the world.

“That’s... that’s terrible,” Mark murmured, his mind spinning with more questions than answers.

James continued; his voice tinged with concern. “She has no one. No family, no friends, no support system. She’s alone in the world, or so she says.”

And then James’ words hit Mark like a brick. “Remember the lady you bumped into? That’s her. Bella Jones.”

Mark froze; he tried asking James about her that day, but he reminded him of the client-patient policy. The name echoed in his mind, and everything clicked into place. That was the woman. The one he couldn’t stop thinking about. The one whose sadness had dug its way under his skin. He didn’t know why, but he felt an overwhelming urge to help her, to take away that pain, even if he didn’t understand it himself.

“Bella…” Mark murmured. Her name felt foreign on his tongue, but it also felt strangely right.

James noticed the change in his expression. “You’re thinking of her, aren’t you?”

Mark didn’t answer immediately. He was too busy processing the rush of emotions. It didn’t make sense. He barely knew her, yet here he was, feeling this strange connection, this need to protect her, to make things right for her. He had never felt this way before, not even about the women he’d been involved with in the past. He had never felt this—this overwhelming need to be there for someone, especially not someone like Bella, someone he barely knew.

"Maybe I'm crazy," Mark thought, his mind racing. He couldn't stop thinking about her. He had to see her again. He had to make sure she was okay. There was no rational explanation for it, but something inside him was pulling him toward her. Something in those haunted eyes called to him, and he couldn’t ignore it any longer.

If he was honest with himself, he didn’t care whether he was crazy. All that mattered now was finding her, and maybe—just maybe—he could be the one to help her heal.