Jaylen asked Daryl to take the children to another room. He braced himself and watched them leave.

As soon as the children were gone, Jaylen dashed to the bathroom and vomited a mouthful of bright red blood. He gripped the sink. His heavy eyelids drooped, his appearance deathly. "Dr. Chatterly, Ms. Reese's temperature changed again," Evan's voice came from outside the door.

Jaylen didn't reply. The metallic taste of blood lingered in his throat; it was sticky, making his head feel heavy. His body felt light, as if he were about to faint.

However, he couldn't collapse now.

Jaylen wiped the blood from his mouth and took a pill from his pocket, swallowing it down.

After all, he wasn't made of steel. He could only resort to unconventional methods to maintain his energy and avoid delaying the development of the antidote.

A few minutes later, Eric urged him again.

Jaylen washed his hands and hurried out. "I'll be right there."

Three days later, in the ward on the top floor of First Hospital.

Maeve's legs were weak when she stood, perhaps from lying in bed too long. As she swayed, Jaylen caught her.

"You haven't fully recovered. There's no rush. Take it easy," Jaylen said, supporting her arm and guiding her on a short walk.

Maeve noticed the shadows under his eyes. "You haven't slept well, have you? You didn't heed my advice, did you?"

Jaylen smiled wryly. "I've slept well. If you don't believe me, ask Daryl. See if I've coughed up blood recently."

Maeve didn't doubt him. She assumed Rudolf's medicine had helped him recover.

She walked around the ward until exhausted, then sat back on the bed, sweat pouring from her forehead.

"I've only been bedridden for two weeks, and I feel crippled," she said self-deprecatingly.

A pang of heartache crossed Jaylen's eyes. "How can the infection be cured so quickly? You're lucky. It's just temporary immobility. Someone else…" Jaylen stopped abruptly.

Maeve noticed his unfinished sentence. "What happened to the other patient here?"

Jaylen pursed his lips. "His condition is worse. He hasn't woken up yet."

"Even after the antidote?" Maeve asked.

Jaylen sighed. "The antidote only kills the virus. It can't reverse the damage. There's no shortcut but slow recovery."

"I see," Maeve said, rubbing her sore knees. Fear still lingered. "This virus is terrifying. If it flares up again, I might not survive."

Xasia's case, in comparison, was mild.

Jaylen frowned. "It's strange you were infected. It doesn't make sense that the virus only mutated in your body."

It was as if someone had deliberately infected Maeve with the mutated variant.

If he had been slower, if his experiment hadn't reached its final stage, if Byron hadn't tested the drug—having the same blood type as Maeve—she might have… The thought filled Jaylen with fear.

"You mean my infection wasn't accidental?" Maeve frowned.

Jaylen shook his head. "Most likely not. Have you offended anyone? Especially from Erancia?"

Maeve thought. "I don't think so. But perhaps someone here."

The Reese family, for instance. But they posed no threat in prison.

The closest person was Faye. But Maeve doubted Faye had access to the virus.

Jaylen touched her head. "It doesn't matter. Stop thinking about it. Your children are here. Leave it to them."

"To be honest, I feel…" Maeve closed her eyes.

"What?"

"I think I've started relying on my children prematurely," Maeve said self-critically.

Jaylen chuckled. "I think they're happy to support you. They're even worried you won't rely on them."

His children were so thoughtful, almost feeding her every bite.

Their care had lifted Maeve's depression. However, they were uneasy because their mother hadn't mentioned their father since the first day she woke up. Whenever they mentioned him, Maeve changed the subject. The children felt, correctly, that their mother was gradually distancing herself from their father.

Maeve might have initially held out hope for Byron, but her patience had worn thin. Why hope for a man who never responded? It only added to her worry.

Theo pulled Will aside, whispering, "It can't be like this. Mommy won't like Daddy anymore."

Will's face showed a mature worry. "But Daddy's in a coma. It's normal for Mommy to feel sad and not mention him."

"Do you have Daddy's phone?" Theo asked.

"I asked Archer for it. Why?" Will tilted his head.

Theo didn't answer. He told Maeve they were going for a walk, then pulled Will away.

The two hid in a corner and used Byron's phone to message Maeve.

"What should I say? You know Daddy better. You go first," Theo said, handing the phone to Will.

Will blinked hesitantly. "Is this okay?"

Theo patted his head. "Hey, is there anything worse than a broken relationship between Mommy and Daddy?"

Considering the consequences, Will trembled and quickly typed.

In the ward, Maeve felt her phone vibrate. She looked and was stunned for a few seconds. Her eyes shone.

Byron: [Today's breakfast was tasteless. Even the coffee was awful.] Byron: [I kept turning around while walking. Then I remembered you weren't there.] Byron: [The bedroom is so big and empty, as is the bed.] Byron: [I said all this because I miss you.]

Maeve pursed her lips. The defenses she'd built seemed to crumble. But when she scrolled up and saw her message from a few days ago, her heart turned cold again.

[Byron, I'm sick. Can you see me?]