Rebirth: A Second chance at life-Chapter 25: He is still here.

An inexplicable closeness tugged at Aurora’s heart, a bond that transcended the moment. Memories stirred, unbidden but vivid, of her past life as Luna—a time when she had dedicated herself to saving children from the darkness she had once endured. She had known their pain intimately, having suffered the same grievances as a child. That pain had shaped her, forged her into someone who refused to let others endure what she had.

She had saved many children in that life, some of whom grew under her care and later stood by her side, loyal and strong. But as she looked at Jenny—at the fragile yet fierce will glowing in the child’s eyes, at the quiet courage battling against the weight of disease—Aurora was struck by a haunting familiarity. Jenny’s resolve reminded her of her own as a child, a time when survival was a battle fought alone.

In Jenny’s strength, Aurora saw a reflection of her past, and in that reflection, she found her purpose rekindled.

Snapping back from her thoughts, Aurora’s expression hardened with resolve. She met Jenny’s gaze, her voice steady and unwavering, as if failure wasn’t even an option. "But I’ll need your help," she said softly, the weight of the moment hanging in the air. "You have to promise me something, alright?"

Jenny blinked up at her, her red-rimmed eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope. "What promise?"

"You’ll have to follow everything I say, take the medicine I give you, and don’t eat anything from outside," Aurora said, her tone gentle but unyielding, as if every word carried the weight of her promise. "No skipping steps, no complaints, and above all, you must believe in yourself. If you do that, I’ll make sure you get better."

She leaned in a little closer, her eyes locking with Jenny’s, willing the child to understand the gravity of her words. "Trust me," she added, her voice softening with a warmth that was almost a plea. "Together, we’ll fight this."

Jenny nodded her little head vigorously, a tear slipping down her cheek as she tightened her grip on Aurora’s hand. "I promise," she said, her voice trembling but determined.

Aurora smiled warmly at her, brushing a strand of hair away from the girl’s face. "Good girl.

Sebastian, still processing what had just unfolded, watched in silence. For the first time in years, he saw a flicker of life in his sister’s eyes—a fragile hope sparked by Aurora.

Can she really save her? The question echoed in Sebastian’s mind, persistent and relentless. His gaze lingered on Aurora, searching for cracks in her calm facade. The more he thought about her, the more the pieces didn’t quite fit.

Her past was an open book—unremarkable, even mundane. She hadn’t graduated, hadn’t achieved anything that would mark her as extraordinary. And yet, she is claimed to be the legendary "godly doctor," the one whispered about in hushed tones, known for saving lives others had written off as lost.

It doesn’t make sense, he thought, his jaw tightening. He had dug into her background, chasing every lead, verifying every story, and somehow, it all connected. Every source pointed to her. But something felt off, like a puzzle with a single piece forced into place.

For four years, no one had been able to diagnose the poison that was killing Jenny. Experts, specialists, the best minds in the field—all had failed. And now, out of nowhere, this woman had not only identified it but claimed she could cure it. Is she bluffing? His doubt twisted like a knife in his gut. Or is she truly as extraordinary as they say?

He looked at Jenny, her small form curled on the chair, her eyes brighter now than they had been in months. That fragile spark of hope was enough to break his resolve. He couldn’t let it fade.

I’ll take anything, he thought bitterly. A shaman, a miracle worker, or even this enigmatic woman. Anything to save her.

Jenny doesn’t deserve this, he thought, his chest tightening. Not the pain, not the helplessness, not the stolen innocence of her childhood.

The thought drew him back, unbidden, to a distant memory. It unfurled in his mind like an old photograph, vivid yet painfully out of reach. Then his memory wandered to a distant scene of past.

He snapped back to reality at the sound of his sister’s soft giggles, a sound so rare it momentarily caught him off guard. For the first time in four years, he saw her smiling, her face alight with a joy he thought he might never see again.

His eyes returned to Aurora, her confidence unshaken despite the weight of his skepticism. There was no hesitation in her, no sign that she doubted her ability to pull Jenny back from the edge.

Sebastian’s expression remained guarded, but there was a flicker of relief in his eyes. "Doctor, when can you begin the treatment?" he asked, his deep voice tinged with urgency.

Aurora didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she retrieved a small ceramic bottle from her bag and placed it gently on the table in front of him. Her tone was calm yet authoritative as she explained, "Start with this. Give her one pill every morning. These will help stabilize her condition while we prepare for the main treatment."

Sebastian picked up the bottle, examining it with a skeptical eye. He opened his mouth to speak, but Aurora cut him off with a steady gaze.

"I’ll also send you a detailed diet plan and a list of herbs that will be critical for her recovery," she continued. "Additionally, I strongly recommend that you make some immediate changes to her environment. Replace your household staff, and if possible, move to a new residence. Her current surroundings are likely contributing to her condition. Until her treatment begins, Jenny needs to be completely insulated from potential triggers—people or otherwise."

Sebastian’s brow furrowed as he listened. "You want me to isolate her entirely?"

Aurora nodded, her voice unwavering. "Yes. The poison in her system didn’t just appear; it’s likely been administered over time. This means someone close to her has had access to her for years. If you want her to recover, you’ll need to cut ties with anyone who could pose a threat."

Sebastian’s jaw tightened, his mind clearly racing. After a moment, he nodded curtly. "Understood. And when will the full treatment begin?"

Aurora’s gaze softened slightly as she replied, "Next week. It will be a traditional treatment regimen to start—deliberate and methodical. Her recovery won’t be quick, but it will be thorough."

Without another word, she pulled out a notepad, quickly jotting down a list of instructions and necessary supplies. She handed the paper to Sebastian, her expression resolute. "Follow this to the letter. Any deviation could jeopardize her recovery."

As the conversation came to an end, Sebastian picked up the menu and handed it to Aurora with a nod. "Doctor, please, order whatever you like," he said, his tone polite yet measured. Then, shifting his focus to Jenny, his expression softened. He crouched slightly, his voice gentler now. "And you, Jenny? What sounds good to you?"

Aurora scanned the familiar menu, her gaze lingering on dishes she had once loved. Without hesitation, she ordered her signature favorites. The food arrived swiftly, and to her surprise, Jenny was now clinging to Aurora with a newfound hope, began serving her with a smile.

Aurora’s heart softened as she accepted each dish Jenny placed before her, a small smile playing on her lips. She savored every bite, her thoughts wandering briefly. So, he’s still here...

Meanwhile, Sebastian and Liam watched in astonishment. Jenny, who had been aloof, irritable, and withdrawn for as long as they could remember, was now sitting beside Aurora, smiling shyly as she tried to please her.

"Is this really Jenny?" Liam muttered under his breath, earning a subtle nod from Sebastian, who remained silent, his mind racing.

Aurora, for her part, felt a pang of sadness beneath her composed demeanor. Jenny’s sweetness and quiet charm tugged at her heartstrings, reminding her of why she had once dedicated herself to healing others. The little girl was enduring unimaginable torment, yet she still managed to smile.

This child deserves a chance to live, Aurora thought, determination hardening her resolve. I won’t fail her.

As they continued their meal, the atmosphere lightened slightly, though an unspoken weight lingered. It was a quiet promise, shared silently between Aurora and the girl who now looked to her as a beacon of hope.