Chapter 4

Sure enough, a few days later, Adrian called again.

Only this time, his voice carried obvious panic.

"Victoria, my mother's sick. It's really strange—she has a fever that won't break, and she's covered in rashes." "I haven't been able to eat or sleep these past few days either. My whole body aches."

I suppressed my amusement and deliberately offered gentle comfort: "It's gotten colder lately. It's probably the flu or some viral infection." "Here's what we'll do—you take care of my mother first, and I'll buy a ticket home as soon as I'm done here. Whatever medication you need, I'll get it from the hospital when I get back."

"Okay, please hurry..."

On the other end, Adrian's voice was noticeably weak.

After hanging up, I immediately booked my next travel destination.

I let it drag on for several days.

During that time, Adrian's calls never stopped.

Finding them annoying, I simply blocked him.

Finally, one day, Adrian's assistant called me, voice panicked: "Mrs. Harris, Mr. Harris suddenly collapsed during a board meeting today and was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment!" "The old Mrs. Harris was admitted to the ICU yesterday. The doctor says she has multiple organ failure and might not last more than a few days."

Hearing this news, I realized the time was right.

I booked the earliest flight and flew back overnight.

When I arrived at the hospital, the attending physician called me into his office alone, his expression grave as he handed me a stack of reports.

"Ms. Harris, as the patient's family member, it would be more appropriate for you to inform your husband about these matters."

He hesitated, seeming to look at me with sympathy.

"Mr. Harris and his mother's blood test results are back. The situation is very complex." "Currently, they've been infected with up to twenty different infectious pathogens, including HIV and syphilis spirochetes. I strongly recommend you get tested as well."

I nodded, my expression unchanged as I accepted the reports: "I understand. Thank you."

After putting on protective gear, a mask, and goggles, fully suited up, I walked into Adrian's isolation room.

He lay in the hospital bed, his face ashen.

An IV was inserted in the back of his hand, and he was hooked up to monitoring equipment.

Seeing me dressed like this, confusion first appeared in his clouded eyes, followed by a trace of fear: "Honey, what disease do I have? Is it serious? The doctor wouldn't tell me anything..." "Have you seen my mother? How is she?"

I said nothing, quietly sitting by the bed and pulling out the test report.

Seeing the densely packed list of conditions on the report, Adrian stared for a long time.

Then he laughed absurdly: "Honey, you're still joking with me at a time like this? How could I possibly be infected with so many viruses at once?" "Syphilis, AIDS, and hepatitis B... This is absolutely ridiculous!"

I feigned concern as I looked at him: "Honey, I thought the hospital made a mistake at first too, but..."

Adrian started: "But what?"

I sighed: "But my mother has the same thing. Besides AIDS and syphilis, she has almost every virus that can be transmitted through saliva."

He froze on the spot, then desperately shook his head in denial: "That's impossible! My mother and I have always been careful about hygiene, and we always eat at home. How could this happen?"

As he spoke, Adrian suddenly went rigid, as if realizing something.

His voice trembling, his face deathly pale as he looked at me: "Is it... Vivian?"

I nodded.

"Honey, I had someone investigate Vivian. She used to work as a hostess at a nightclub. Her private life was a complete mess. This disease was probably transmitted to you and my mother by her."

Learning this news, Adrian looked utterly shocked, but still clung to hope: "There must be a mistake. This can't be true! Vivian has always been so innocent. How could she work that kind of shameless job!"

He struggled to get up, insisting on going to the ICU to see his mother.

I quickly stopped him: "Honey, my mother isn't in the ICU anymore."

Hearing this, Adrian immediately relaxed, a relieved smile appearing on his face: "See, I knew it. The hospital must have made a mistake. If my mother's fine now, it means it wasn't anything serious..."

But my next words plunged Adrian into an icy abyss.

"Honey, please accept my condolences."

Watching that trace of relief on Adrian's face freeze and shatter, finally turning to complete devastation, I added one more sentence: "My mother... has already been sent to the morgue."