I open my eyes lazily, blinking away the haze of sleep. But the moment my gaze lands on Jennifer's beautiful face, a tangible smile stretches across my lips. It only grows wider as my left hand instinctively reaches out, stroking a few strands of her long hair that have fallen onto my arm—an arm that has willingly been her pillow all night.
To wake up like this every morning… it feels like Heaven.
Not to mention… I stretch my right hand, moving slowly, carefully, to rub Jennifer's belly.
Yup. Definitely Heaven.
It's been almost a month since I gave up being an assassin. A few days after making the decision, I moved into Jennifer's apartment. Financially, it was an absurd move—I had just rented a new place while still holding on to my old apartment, and now, both were abandoned.
But I didn't want to put Jennifer through the trouble of moving, not in her condition. Besides, her apartment was slightly bigger and more suited to welcome a baby than mine.
After settling in, I broke the news to Thief and Andy.
I had expected Thief to put up a fight. She practically idolized my job, believing it to be a better justice system than the one society had. But to my surprise, she took it well. She simply said I'd made the right choice—choosing my child over my career.
She had grown wiser.
Andy, on the other hand, lost his mind.
He was completely in shock, instantly furious. He said I was being irrational, letting my emotions cloud my judgment. I assured him—repeatedly—that my decision was final. But he called me crazy and hung up.
It took a long, exhausting back-and-forth of messages before he finally gave in. His last words were, "I hope you won't regret this someday."
If Andy weren't my best friend, I'd think he was threatening me.
When I asked him, "Why would I regret it?"
He only replied with a single word: Nothing.
Beep-beep-beep.
Jennifer's phone alarm breaks through my thoughts.
Her eyes flutter open instantly, a soft yawn escaping her lips.
"Morning, Beautiful," I greet her, my smile never fading.
"Morning, Handsome," she murmurs, stretching before turning to face me. She leans in and pecks my lips, then suddenly jerks back.
"Aaa! Your lips are hot!" she exclaims in shock.
"My lips are always hot for you, Baby," I tease, smirking.
"No… I mean hot, like fever-hot," she argues, and before I can say another word, she presses her palm against my forehead.
Her frown deepens instantly. "Scott… you're burning up! You have a fever!"
I catch her wrist, bringing her hand to my lips. "It's nothing. Just a slight fever," I try to reassure her.
"No! It's not nothing!" she scolds. The worry on her face is painfully clear. "How long have you had it?"
I sigh. No use hiding it now. "Since last night."
Jennifer immediately throws the sheets off and rushes to the bathroom. Less than a minute later, she returns, shoving a thermometer into my mouth. I comply without protest, sitting still while she anxiously watches the device.
When the thermometer beeps, she pulls it out and—
"Oh my God!! 101?!" she yells in shock.
I flinch, squeezing my eyes shut as my headache flares up from her volume. Damn, woman. If she knew this was actually a lower temperature than it was a few hours ago before I took medicine, she'd probably lose her mind.
"Babe…" I start, trying to calm her down.
"We need to go to the ER. Now!" she insists.
"No, Baby—"
"We must!"
"No, Baby. It's no use."
"You don't know that! We have to try everything!"
"And what exactly am I supposed to tell them? That my body is sabotaging itself?!"
"I don't care!" she shouts, her voice breaking. "I don't want to lose you, damn it!"
She bursts into tears.
I pull her into my arms instantly, wrapping her up in the tightest embrace I can manage. As her sobs soak into my chest, I kiss the top of her head, rubbing her back soothingly.
"You won't lose me, okay? I promise."
"Then fight for it."
"I am, Baby. I am fighting it."
"Maybe the doctors can help you," she pleads, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. Her face is a mess of tears. "You can't fight this alone."
"I have help. Han has been working with me, meditating with me. That's the only reason I've even been able to sleep despite the pain." I cup her face, brushing away a stray tear. "And you—" I kiss her forehead. "You are my greatest help. My greatest strength."
"But it's not enough, is it?" she whispers.
I hesitate.
"Please, Baby…" she begs, her voice raw with emotion. "Please go to the hospital. For me… please?"
-
I stare blankly as the nurse pulls the thermometer from my armpit. After Jennifer's relentless pleading, I finally gave in. Now I understand what people mean when they say even the most powerful men turn into obedient dogs in front of their wives.
I could stand my ground, argue with Jennifer all day long, but the moment she looked at me with teary eyes, her voice breaking with emotion—my heart just couldn't bear it.
"A hundred," the nurse says solemnly.
Jennifer sighs, her worry deepening as she looks at me. I gently rub her hand, trying to reassure her.
"It's okay," I mouth to her, but she just narrows her eyes in disapproval. Before she can unleash another rebuke, the doctor enters the room, his face as expressionless as ever.
"This is the last dose of the injection I can give him," he announces.
"Is there really nothing else you can do, Doctor?" Jennifer asks, barely waiting for him to finish his sentence.
"We have to wait for the test results before proceeding further, ma'am," he replies calmly. Without another word, he injects me for the third time today.
"How much longer until we get the results?" Jennifer demands, her patience thinning.
The doctor glances at his watch. "After 1 PM, most likely."
Jennifer sighs again, pressing her lips together to contain her irritation.
"Relax, Baby," I whisper, squeezing her fingers.
She shoots me a sharp, dagger-like glare, making me chuckle weakly.
When my results finally come in, the doctor's frown deepens. It's exactly as I expected—nothing is physically wrong with me. My body is completely healthy, in fact, healthier than most people.
This pain… this agony… it's my body's way of protesting my decision.
Ever since I chose to give up being an assassin, my body has been waging war against me. The initial symptoms—stiff muscles and prickling skin—were just the beginning. When I ignored them, the pain escalated. Squeezing sensations deep inside my organs, constant nausea, an unbearable sensitivity to light, noise, and taste that triggered relentless headaches.
That's when I sought out Master Long.
But he had been in Mainland, unreachable. In his absence, Han had been helping me with meditation techniques, teaching me how to push the pain to the back of my mind. It worked—to a degree. It helped me sleep, helped me function. But it didn't stop my body from fighting back.
"There's some trouble at the office. I have to go, Babe," Jennifer says, reluctance thick in her voice.
"Hey, that's okay, Babe. Don't worry about me. I have a whole team of paramedics taking care of me here, right?" I joke lightly, trying to ease her concern.
Despite the clean test results, both Jennifer and the doctor insist I stay for further observation. I could have easily ignored the doctor's orders, but Jennifer? How the hell was I supposed to argue with her?
"You, on the other hand," I continue, bringing her hand to my lips. "You need to take care of yourself. Don't forget—you're carrying our little one."
Jennifer smiles softly, her fingers brushing against mine. "Of course."
"You should rest at home after work. No need to come back here. Or else…"
She narrows her eyes, sensing trouble. Before she can cut me off, I lean in and whisper, "I'll come home with you and punish you until you're screaming in pleasure all night long."
Her face turns bright red. "You…!" she hisses, scandalized, smacking my arm. "How can you even think of something like that in this condition?!"
I laugh heartily. It's been a while. The hell my body is putting me through has also made me incapable of performing well.
Jennifer has never complained. But I will make it up to you, Babe, I vow silently.
Once she's gone, I finally close my eyes. My body feels like it's burning from the inside out, heat radiating from my core. I wasn't pretending to be strong—but having Jennifer around gave me strength.
Now, without her, I feel the weight of my own suffering again.
The heat increases. It's like a hot air blower is aimed directly at my face. I try to meditate, to push the sensation away, focusing only on my breathing. I inhale deeply, exhale slowly. I repeat the cycle for over five minutes, ignoring the scalding breath leaving my lips, the sweat rolling down my temple.
But the pressure in my skull grows heavier.
And then—
BZZZT.
A long vibration rattles my phone.
I try to ignore it, but whoever is calling is persistent. With a sigh, I force my eyes open and answer.
"Mr. Bennet."
"Yes, Han." Even though the number is unknown, I recognize his voice instantly.
"Master has arrived. He says you must come to the temple immediately."
"I can't—I'm in the hospital."
"That's exactly why he insists you come right now."
I don't hesitate. "I'll find a way."
"You must. Now."
Han hangs up, leaving me staring at my phone.
Despite the splitting headache, my spirit lifts. Finally.
Master Long is here. I had been waiting anxiously for his return. Han had tried to reach him since the first day I came to the temple, but Master Long had been in the middle of an urgent mission in Mainland. Only later would I learn that he had sensed something was wrong here and had rushed back immediately.
I push through the searing pain, forcing myself out of bed. Being here won't help me. The hospital has done nothing. They ran every test, poked and prodded me, only to confirm what I already knew—my body was rebelling against me.
Dressed and ready, I open my hospital room door.
Luck is on my side.
Something is happening in the ER—doctors and nurses are rushing toward it, leaving their posts unattended.
Holding onto the wall for support, I move as fast as I can. My head spins, my vision swims, but I push forward.
Halfway through the hall, my back is already drenched in cold sweat.
I might have turned back, might have given in, if I didn't suddenly feel something pop inside my stomach.
My entire body freezes.
The sensation is unmistakable—like a tiny balloon bursting inside me.
Less than a second later, something begins oozing from within.
What the hell?!
Did my internal organ just rupture?
But… there's no pain. If something exploded inside me, shouldn't it be agonizing?
I swallow the bile rising in my throat, pushing forward.
My legs tremble beneath me, my strength fading fast.
Whatever is happening, it's not normal.
This hospital can't fix it.
I have to reach Master Long.
I stagger through the entrance, barely catching a taxi that just dropped off a passenger.
I practically collapse into the back seat, slamming the door shut.
"Dragon Temple. Hurry," I rasp, my voice barely a whisper.
The driver glances at me. "You okay, man?"
I don't answer. I can't. My body is shutting down.
Without another word, he speeds off.
I lean back, trying to steady my breathing, but when I glance down at my hands—
My fingers.
Their tips are no longer pale.
They've turned bluish-black.
My body jolts violently as the taxi runs over a speed bump. The sudden impact sends a wave of nausea crashing over me—
And before I can stop it, I vomit.
My eyes widen in horror.
My vomit isn't yellow. It isn't white. It isn't even red.
It's black.