Chapter 4

As the car drove into the city, my phone lit up again.

It was a message from Keith.

"Where are you?"

I stared at the two words for a long time before replying.

"On my way."

"I don't feel good."

"The doctor is seeing to it."

He was probably really unsettled.

Whenever he'd been sick before, I was always there, by his bedside.

Giving him water, medicine, staying awake all night.

He was used to me always being there.

But this time, he could only reach me through a screen.

I didn't reply again.

The hospital's disinfectant smell was heavy.

Ryan waited for me at the entrance, his face looking worse than I'd imagined.

"Mrs. Hayes," he whispered. "The doctor has done a preliminary check on Mr. Hayes and suggested... further specialized testing."

I nodded. "I know."

When I pushed open the door to his room, Keith was propped against the headboard, receiving an IV drip.

He'd lost a bit of weight, and his complexion was terrible.

The moment he saw me, he clearly froze, then visibly relaxed.

In that instant, the reliance in his eyes was almost primal.

I walked over and placed my bag aside.

"What's wrong with you?"

"I feel weak all over," he frowned. "My head hurts too. The doctor said it might be an infection."

He said it so casually as if he were talking about a common cold.

I tucked the blanket around him, my movements as gentle as always.

"Don't worry," I said softly. "You'll be alright."

He looked at me, then suddenly reached out and grabbed my wrist.

"Amelia," his voice was a little hoarse. "This whole time... thank you for everything."

I looked down at the hand holding mine.

His fingers were long and slender, hands that had countless times led me through crowds.

"We're married," I said.

Only then did he seem to relax, his eyes slowly closing.

Not long after, the doctor entered and asked to speak with me outside.

He met my gaze briefly before extending the report.

"Amelia, the results are back."

I took it. My eyes went straight to the decisive line.

Confirmed Infection.

I was perfectly calm.

So calm, it even surprised me a little.

"Does he know yet?" I asked.

"Not yet," the doctor said. "In cases like this, we recommend a family member informs them."

I nodded.

"I'll do it."

When I returned to the room, Keith was still asleep.

Sunlight lay across his peacefully innocent face, frozen in a moment before it all began.

I sat by his bedside and watched him for a long while.

Then, I softly called his name.

"Keith."

He opened his eyes. "Hmm?"

I looked at him, my voice as gentle as it had ever been.

"The doctor says you're quite ill."

He froze.

"Ill? With what?"

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I simply laid the report on the sheets before him.