Zachary curled his lip, unconcerned. "Isn't she just some online acquaintance? Why are you so worked up?"
"She's not just an online acquaintance!" Lucas shot back, chin raised. "We're friends. Kindred spirits. Something you wouldn't understand!"
No way was he going to admit she was just some random contact from the internet—especially not when it came to his precious Rye. That sounded far too distant.
They understood each other.
Like two people cut from the same cloth.
Zachary rolled his eyes and leaned toward Adrian, muttering, "There's definitely something wrong with his brain."
At 9:50 p.m., there was a knock on the door.
Derek stepped in. "Sir, the doctor has arrived."
A flicker passed through Adrian's eyes. "Let her in."
Derek stepped aside, revealing the woman behind him.
"Rye!" Lucas lit up, rushing forward to take her medical bag. "You finally made it! Today I was at Imperial—"
"Cough." Riley shot him a warning look, signaling him to shut up.
Two "Ryes," both at Imperial University… was he trying to expose me?
Lucas didn't think that far.
If she doesn't want me talking, fine—I wouldn't.
Riley stepped forward calmly. "You must be Mr Yates. Hello, I'm your attending physician. You can call me Sheena."
She extended her hand.
Adrian's gaze flicked over her briefly—but he didn't take it.
He was a married man now.
He couldn't casually touch another woman.
That was his reasoning.
But the other two clearly didn't share it.
Lucas frowned. "What's wrong with you? That's rude! She's offering a handshake!"
Even Zachary added, "Yeah, that's a bit much. Where's your manners?"
Meanwhile, Riley quietly exhaled in relief.
Good.
The less contact, the fewer chances to slip up.
But Adrian's next words nearly made her choke.
His expression remained calm. "If I touch another woman, the little fool at home will get upset."
Three stunned faces stared back in silence.
Zachary and Lucas stared at him in disbelief. This didn't sound like the composed, self-disciplined Adrian they knew.
Riley puffed her cheeks, equally stunned.
He actually cares about my feelings?
Weird.
And yet…
Hearing him say it stirred something strange in my chest.
She quickly composed herself, introduced herself properly, and began reviewing the medical records Derek handed over.
Years of treatments.
Symptoms.
Progression.
Once she finished, she examined Adrian in person.
Her expression grew serious.
The virus inside Adrian's body had already begun spreading toward his heart.
The episodes would only become more frequent.
So it's true…
He won't make it past twenty-five.
"Rye… how is he?" Lucas asked, his voice tight with worry.
Riley stood still for a long moment, silent.
Zachary and Lucas were on edge.
But the patient himself remained calm.
Adrian spoke evenly, "How much time do I have left?"
He knew his own body.
The loss of control was happening more often. His body was failing him piece by piece.
He needed to start arranging what came next.
"Can you buy me another six months?" he asked.
"Adrian!"
"Bro!"
Both Lucas and Zachary's eyes reddened.
Adrian raised a hand, stopping them.
Riley's expression was complicated, touched with something close to grief.
She nodded.
"Yes."
"I'll do everything I can."