The Boy Who Save Billionaire's infant son

Chapter 5: The Life He Refused to Give

Augustus Carter did not look like a man who wanted to live.

He looked like a man who believed he was entitled to continue.

His body lay under tubes, wires, braces, and machines. His skin was thin, his face hollow, but his eyes were sharp and hungry.

The glass door opened when Ethan placed his palm against the scanner.

Walter whispered, "Marina's blood is not your key."

Augustus smiled. "Blood has always been the first key."

William held Noah close. Celeste stood near the door, finally seeing the monster she had helped protect.

Ethan stepped into the room.

"You hurt my mother," he said.

"I studied her," Augustus replied.

"You killed her."

"I extended her usefulness."

Ethan looked at the machines. "You want me to bring you back."

"Not back. Forward. My mind is intact. My body is failing. You can correct that."

Walter said, "He cannot. And he will not."

Augustus ignored him. "You collect bottles. You sleep under a leaking roof. I can give you everything."

For one second, Ethan imagined warmth, food, medicine, and safety.

Then he looked at Noah.

Noah had not asked to be saved. He had simply been slipping away.

Augustus was different.

He was dragging others toward death to keep himself alive.

"No," Ethan said.

Celeste moved to the control panel. "William, if we cut the private network, outside security can get through."

Augustus snapped, "Celeste."

She trembled, but continued. "You would have used Noah. You would use anyone."

The system rejected William's passcode.

Then Ethan felt Augustus's heartbeat through the machines. Old. Tired. Forced to continue.

He placed his hand on the bed.

Walter grabbed him. "Ethan, don't."

"I am not saving him," Ethan whispered.

He closed his eyes.

When he had called Noah back, he had offered warmth. This time, he simply stopped the machines from pulling Augustus away from death.

The monitors screamed.

Augustus stared at him. "What are you doing?"

"Letting go."

The machines failed.

Augustus whispered, "Marina would have saved me."

Ethan swayed. "No. She would have tried."

Augustus's eyes closed.

This time, no one called him back.

Afterward, Celeste was arrested after giving a full statement about the Horizon Ward and Marina Reed. Carter Foundation records were opened. Families came forward.

William shut down the research divisions and funded independent clinics.

Walter and Ethan accepted a small house near a public park, with a roof that did not leak.

Ethan visited Noah once a month.

He never used his gift in public again.

And William never asked him to.