The phone rang late in the morning, cutting through the quiet of Dominic's study. He stared at the ringing device for a moment, the world outside his villa glowing in sunlight, serene and oblivious to the turmoil that had engulfed his mind for the past week.
Dominic had spent the last few days wrestling with his thoughts—contemplating his life, choices, and what lay ahead. The sensation of time slipping away had been overwhelming. He had made decisions rooted in the assumption of mortality, believing he had only a limited time to amend the mistakes of his past. This urgency pushed him to make choices that felt decisive yet somehow never completely right. Regardless, the fear of the end motivated him onward, leaving no space for reconsideration.
His fingers hovered over the phone, and briefly, he considered allowing it to go to voicemail. But curiosity prevailed, and he answered.
"Yes?" Dominic's voice was steady, though there was an unmistakable hint of anticipation.
"Monsieur Leoni, this is Dr. Dupont," the doctor replied, sounding more hesitant than usual.
Something about his tone caused Dominic to sit up straighter. He had steeled himself for any news, convinced he already knew the truth. He had come to terms with his limited time. Yet now, an unusual tightness gripped his chest as he awaited Dupont's explanation.
"What's going on?" Dominic asked, maintaining a calm voice but tinged with tension.
"I owe you an apology, Monsieur Leoni. There has been a mistake regarding the test results."
Dominic paused, feeling his heartbeat quicken slightly. "What sort of mistake?" His thoughts immediately raced to the worst scenarios.
"A lab error, Monsieur. The test results you received actually belonged to another patient. I am terribly sorry to inform you that you do not have Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease."
The words hit Dominic like a wave crashing onto the shore—sudden, overwhelming, and disorienting. He didn't respond right away. His mind scrambled to understand what he was hearing. It couldn't be true. He had spent the past week preparing for an unavoidable end. Hadn't he already accepted that reality?
"Are you certain?" Dominic asked, his voice steady but loaded with disbelief.
"Yes. After a thorough review, I can confirm your scans were incorrectly matched with someone else's records. Those results are not yours. You are in good health, Monsieur. You do not have any terminal illness."
The shock didn't wash over him right away. For a moment, there was just silence, as if time itself had frozen. Then, the floodgates opened, and a wave of relief washed over him—so intense and immediate that it left him momentarily breathless. He had been burdened with the anticipation of death for the past week, making decisions under the crushing weight of limited time. But now, it felt as if time had ceased its relentless ticking.
"You mean I'm not dying?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief, as if hearing it aloud would somehow validate it.
"No, Monsieur. You are not terminally ill." Dupont's voice softened with sincerity. "I can't express how deeply sorry I am for this error. I truly regret the distress this has caused."
Dominic leaned back in his chair, the gravity of the news settling in slowly. He wasn't dying. He had time. A mix of emotions flooded him—yes, relief, but also a strange sense of bewilderment. He had believed the end was imminent, convinced that his choices were leading him to a final chapter, and now, the ground had shifted beneath his feet.
The phone call ended with more apologies and reassurances from Dr. Dupont, but Dominic hardly registered them. His mind raced, overwhelmed with the implications of what this revelation meant for him. His decisions, his plans, had all rested on the belief that his time was running out.
Reflecting on Near-Misses
As the call concluded, Dominic sat in silence. The tranquil view of the southern French countryside spread out before him, the vastness contrasting starkly with the smallness he had felt just days ago. The clock—that had seemed so menacing, counting down his days—had been an illusion, a deceptive belief.
Dominic reclined in his chair, staring at the ceiling, a wave of gratitude washing over him despite the chaos in his head. It felt strange—how could he feel such relief yet also so lost? He wasn't sure how to handle this newfound second chance. What was he meant to do with the time that had felt so scarce just moments ago?
His thoughts wandered to the decisions he had nearly made—the extreme choices he had been poised to act upon, but at the last minute, something had pulled him back.
The first decision that came to mind was his intention to liquidate his businesses, to sell everything he had built under the name of Antonio Leoni. He had been prepared—he even reached out to Marcello Russo, ready to sever ties with his former criminal empire. He believed that stepping away from the wealth and power he had amassed would bring him peace or perhaps redemption.
Now, he realized—he had almost surrendered everything for a life that was still his to lead. The weight of that near decision threatened to crush him. He had been on the verge of selling his legitimate investments—the hotels, the energy companies, the tech startups—everything that symbolized his escape from the underworld. The life he had constructed under his alias, one he thought he could never reclaim, remained within his grasp.
What would have happened if he had followed through? Would he have regretted it? Would he have lost more than he understood in his haste to walk away?
The second decision that surfaced was his near-fatal choice to distance himself from Isabella. He had been ready to cut her off—afraid that revealing his truth would drive her away, terrified that she would be tarnished by his past. He had contemplated telling her, thinking it better to leave than risk entangling her in his web of lies. However, even in his darkest hours, something held him back. The prospect of losing her felt worse than any repercussions from his past.
And now, after that phone call, after the startling realization that he had more time than he ever imagined, Dominic felt immense gratitude for resisting those decisions. He was thankful he hadn't forfeited his future in a moment of fear. And he was grateful he hadn't deserted the one person who had grown to mean so much to him in such a short period.
A New Beginning
Dominic rose and walked to the window, gazing out at the countryside, the golden horizon extending infinitely before him. The relief that had washed over him now felt like a heavy, quiet presence he couldn't shake. He wasn't dying. He had more time. The choice he had once believed was unavoidable, the one he had already accepted, was now a misconception.
His gaze lingered on the winding road below, and the thought of Isabella brought a faint smile to his lips. He had more time to spend with her, more time to genuinely discern what he wanted from life, from their relationship. He hadn't revealed the truth to her yet, but now, perhaps, he had the opportunity to do so with the clarity he hadn't allowed himself before. There was no longer a rush to his actions. He could take things slow—build rather than destroy. Rebuild what had been lost.
For the first time, hope flickered within him once more. The future lay before him, not as a fleeting moment but as something he could actively shape.
With a steady hand, Dominic picked up his phone again and sent a message to Marcello:
"Hold on. Let's keep the businesses for now. I need more time to figure things out."
Relief seeped through those words. Dominic recognized he had made the right choice. It wasn't merely about surviving anymore—it was about living and learning how to thrive with what he had created.
As he placed the phone down, a new sense of possibility expanded before him.
He was ready to start anew.
A New Perspective
The call from Dr. Dupont left Dominic overwhelmed with emotions. The previous week had been filled with anxiety, fear, and the preparation for an end he believed was unavoidable. The mix-up in his diagnosis—the news that he wasn't facing a terminal illness—was shocking, yet it also brought an unexpected wave of relief. The choices he had made in the past few days were suddenly seen in a different light. His life, his future—he realized it was no longer dictated by the shadow of impending death. He had more time than he had assumed, and with that realization came the daunting task of determining how to use it wisely.
Despite feeling relieved, Dominic couldn't help but think about the choices he had nearly made in his haste to resolve matters. He had come close to liquidating his businesses—everything he had worked tirelessly for—thinking his time was running short. He had even considered distancing himself from Isabella, fearing that his past would harm her and believing it might be easier to sever ties than risk complicating their relationship. But, much to his astonishment, none of those actions had taken place.
He hadn't followed through with any of it.
He hadn't sold off his assets. He hadn't isolated himself from Isabella. Instead, he had taken small steps toward healing—toward confronting his past and embracing life. And now, with the gift of more time, he felt grateful for the decisions he had made and for those he had reconsidered at the last moment. It was clear to him that if he had acted impulsively, he would have been left with greater regret than redemption.
The Doctor's Advice
Even though the relief from Dr. Dupont's announcement was sinking in, Dominic was aware that his physical health had suffered over the last few weeks. The persistent headaches served as a harsh reminder of the toll stress had taken on him. He had never been one to prioritize his physical well-being—his focus had always revolved around his mind, his business, and his ambition. But now, with this unexpected break from thoughts of mortality, it was time to pay heed to his body, which had been silently signaling its distress.
Dr. Dupont had recommended that he consult a chiropractor to manage the physical strain he had endured. The stress had not only impacted his emotions but had also taken a toll on his musculoskeletal system—tightness from built-up tension in his neck and upper back, which had worsened his headaches over time. Dr. Dupont reassured him that this reaction was common for someone under intense pressure, but now was the right moment to seek appropriate treatment.
Dominic understood he could no longer ignore the pain. He had always prided himself on being able to handle anything, but now, with a promising future ahead, he realized that self-care—both mental and physical—was essential.
He scheduled an appointment with the chiropractor. Although he was unfamiliar with chiropractic care, he was open to trying anything that might help him reclaim his sense of self.
The Chiropractic Session
The following afternoon, Dominic walked into the chiropractor's office, his feelings a mix of skepticism and curiosity. He wasn't certain what to expect, but he recognized that the persistent tension in his neck and shoulders could not be overlooked. The continuous migraines, stiff muscles, and overwhelming physical and emotional pressure felt like a burden, which had only grown heavier since his diagnosis.
Marie, the chiropractor, greeted him with professionalism and warmth. She guided him to a private room and began asking about his symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history. Although Dominic wasn't inclined towards small talk, Marie's soothing demeanor helped put him at ease as she outlined what the treatment would entail. Her focus would be on correcting his posture and alignment, addressing the misalignment in his spine while working on the tense and fatigued muscles.
After a brief assessment, Marie commenced the session. She began by gently stretching his neck, then moved to his back, applying pressure and making adjustments to his spine. Dominic experienced some discomfort, but it wasn't painful—more like something within him being gently nudged back into position.
"I can feel the tension here," Marie remarked, pressing on the muscles in his upper back. "It's common for individuals managing high levels of stress. You've likely held your muscles in this contracted state for some time."
Dominic didn't immediately respond, but he recognized her words were accurate. He felt the tightness, the knots that had accumulated over weeks, if not months. He had ignored them, concentrating on other pressing matters in his life, but now that things were settling down, he had no option but to heed his body's signals.
After a few more adjustments, Marie explained the exercises Dominic would need to perform independently—simple stretches to relieve tension and strengthen the overworked muscles. She assured him that, with time, his migraines would become less frequent and the tension would subside.
As he left the chiropractor's office, Dominic felt an unusual sense of accomplishment. The session hadn't provided an immediate cure, but he felt lighter. The weight of his stress no longer bore down on him as before. He could breathe a little easier. For the first time in a long time, Dominic understood that he had taken a step toward embracing something he had neglected for too long—self-care.
Relief and Reflection
The next few days were a blend of rest and contemplation. Dominic diligently followed the prescribed exercises, and gradually, the relief from his chiropractic sessions deepened. His headaches became less frequent, the tightness in his shoulders eased, and he began to feel more centered within himself.
As his physical state improved, his mind grew clearer. He had the opportunity to reflect—not on the shadow of his supposed mortality, but on what genuinely mattered. The relief was almost cathartic. For the first time in weeks, he felt he could truly breathe without the heavy blanket of fear pressing down on him.
Dominic found himself reevaluating his relationships. He contemplated Isabella and the bond they had formed. He hadn't distanced himself from her; rather, he had remained present. Even amidst the fear of death that loomed over him, he had opened up, allowed himself to be vulnerable, and let their relationship flourish. Now, free from the overshadowing fear of mortality, he realized just how deeply he cared for her.
He hadn't pulled away from Clara either. He had attempted to connect, to mend their relationship, and to demonstrate that he was not the man she thought he was. He was uncertain whether she would ever fully accept him, yet he recognized that simply trying was the only path forward.
Moving Forward
Dominic's physical relief sparked something deeper within him. The clarity he had long sought—regarding not only his health but his life—began to take shape. He no longer needed to flee. There was no need to hide from his past decisions. He had the time to make things right.
With the burden of his health alleviated, Dominic understood that drastic changes regarding his future were unnecessary. He had once felt ready to abandon everything, but now he realized it wasn't necessary. Instead, he could focus on rebuilding.
The chiropractic care had accomplished more than just easing his physical discomfort. It had helped him see that his life was far from over, not yet. He had more time to live, to love, and to mend what was broken. For that, he felt a sense of gratitude. For the first time, he could look ahead with hope.
He reached out to Isabella, sending her a message to arrange a meeting. There were things he needed to express, conversations he had been postponing.
Dominic was prepared to embrace his future, unburdened by the fear of past mistakes and with the assurance that his life was meant for living, not merely surviving.