Chapter 437

The moment the incubation period ended, the infected would begin coughing up blood relentlessly. Their immune systems would collapse at an alarming rate—cancer patients would deteriorate rapidly, metabolism would spiral out of control, and blood cell counts would plummet. Within a year, death was inevitable.

Nathan let out a bitter chuckle. "So, how long do I have?"

Edmund frowned. "Given your current condition... three, maybe four years."

Evelyn arrived at the hospital with dinner she had prepared herself. When she stepped into the room, she found Nathan staring blankly out the window, Edmund already gone.

"Nathan, I brought you food." She moved to his bedside and set the container down.

He turned to her with a faint smile. "Good. I want you to feed me."

She didn’t argue. Opening the container, she sat beside him, carefully spooning food into his mouth. Between bites, she asked, "Has Uncle Edmund left already?"

"Yeah. He had something to take care of."

Evelyn continued feeding him, her lips curving slightly. "How does it taste?"

Nathan lowered his gaze, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Do I even dare say it’s bad when you made it?"

She pouted.

Once he finished, she set the container aside. "I’m staying with you tonight."

Nathan’s gaze lingered on her before he simply murmured, "Mm."

She requested an extra bed from the nurse, fluffed the pillow, and settled in. Nathan shifted onto his side, watching her. "Zoe."

"Hmm?" She turned to face him. "What is it?"

His dark eyes held something unreadable. "If... I ever keep something from you in the future, would you be angry?"

Evelyn hesitated, then shook her head. "No. If you hide something, I’ll assume it’s for my own good."

Nathan’s smile deepened, but he said nothing more.

Evelyn slept soundly through the night. Nathan, however, didn’t sleep at all. He spent the hours drinking in the sight of her peaceful face, memorizing every detail, before finally turning away, his expression swallowed by shadows.

The next morning—

Evelyn woke to an empty bed. She asked a nurse, who informed her Nathan had gone for tests.

She folded the extra bed neatly, then noticed the water pitcher was empty. She grabbed it and headed out.

On her way back, she spotted Oliver standing outside the room. Before she could greet him, Theodore’s sharp voice cut through the air.

"You want to be discharged now? Have you lost your mind?"

Discharged? Evelyn froze. Nathan wants to leave?

Inside, Nathan sat on the edge of the bed, looking far better than a man in a hospital gown should. "It’s just a gunshot wound. No reason to waste time lying here. I have work."

"You reckless brat!" Theodore’s voice rose. "Do you even value your life? I ought to shoot you myself and be done with it!"

Nathan smirked. "It’s not like I have much time left anyway."

"You—!" Theodore started, then noticed Evelyn standing in the doorway, kettle in hand. He scoffed. "You’d throw your life away for a woman? Is she worth it?"

Evelyn knew Theodore blamed her for Nathan’s injury. And why wouldn’t he? Nathan had gotten hurt because of her.

She pressed her lips together, setting the kettle down. "You’re leaving the hospital?"