Seven; Ixora Meeting The Caveman

COR DEXTRAS HOSPITAL, NEW YORK.

"Doctor Jake?"

Jake Brown sat in his office, lost in thought, his mind perpetually dwelling on the same painful subject for months now. People often spoke of the emotional pain of heartbreak in relationships, but they rarely mentioned the agony of losing a brother and attempting to move forward.

Nothing felt the same anymore, not for him and certainly not for his family. If only Jerald were still alive.

"Doctor Jake?"

The voice, slightly more insistent, broke through his reverie. Jake lifted his head to find Mara standing before him, her expression etched with concern.

Mara was a highly competent nurse who had joined his hospital ten years ago, shortly after it was accredited and commissioned. At twenty-seven, she appeared youthful and beautiful. She had gotten married three years ago and was now the mother of a lovely two-year-old daughter named Ciara.

Over time, Mara had grown close to Jake after learning the reason he had left the arm