By then, Lian’s doctor had entered. Cassius immediately stepped aside but remained glued to Kendrick’s bedside, watching every movement with hawk-like focus. Reynold did the same on Zephany’s side, not even blinking as the doctor worked.

The doctor first examined Kendrick, checking his vitals, pupils, breathing, and responses. His brows furrowed for a moment, then gradually relaxed. He then moved to Zephany and conducted the same thorough examination.

Both Cassius and Reynold held their breath.

Finally, the doctor straightened, exhaling softly.

"They’re doing well for now," he announced. "Their conditions look good. But to be sure, I’ll still conduct more tests later."

Reynold immediately nodded. "Anything, just do what you need to."

Cassius nodded as well, though his relief wasn’t enough to calm the dread twisting inside him. The doctor soon excused himself and left the room.

The moment he stepped out, Cassius followed.

"Doctor," he called sharply.

The doctor paused and turned.

Cassius glanced around the hallway first, ensuring no one was nearby.

"Follow me."

There was no hesitation. The doctor complied.

They walked deeper into the facility until they entered another room. Unlike the previous recovery areas, this one looked like the heart of the laboratory. Advanced devices surrounded them, screens glowing with complex data. The faint humming of high-powered machines filled the air.

The doctor couldn’t help but marvel. "This place..." he breathed softly, eyes brightening in awe. "This is... incredible."

Cassius didn’t share the admiration. He was far from calm.

"Mr. Varen, what do you need me for?" the doctor finally asked.

Cassius turned to face him fully. His expression was serious, almost sharp.

"Tell me the truth," he said quietly. "What exactly is going on with those two?"

The doctor stopped looking around. He met Cassius’s gaze. For a moment, he hesitated. Then he said firmly,

"They’re really fine. Out of danger."

Cassius’s brows furrowed, suspicion lingering. "Is that true? Don’t tell me just to comfort me. I want to believe it... but I need to be sure."

The doctor nodded, his expression solemn.

"It’s true. I don’t know how it happened, but the pathogens... they’re gone. Completely gone. I checked Lian’s condition too, and the blood samples you gave me earlier. There’s something different now. Their blood is clean. It’s as if they were never injected with the Helix serum at all."

Cassius’s breath hitched.

Gone?

Completely gone?

Relief washed through him—but confusion soon followed. How? Why now? What changed?

The doctor noticed his bewildered expression and sighed lightly.

"Do you remember what I told you before?" he asked carefully. "When I mentioned another possible... miraculous probability? When the two... well... unite as one."

Cassius blinked.

Then it hit him.

That theory.

The one he had kept tucked away in the back of his mind. The one he had used as one of the justifications for pushing that contract marriage.

Kendrick’s body carried something unknown. Zephany’s carried something else. Separately, they could only slow the pathogen. But combined—

Cassius’s eye twitched.

So they really...?

He honestly didn’t know whether to laugh or choke on air. When? And how did he not know?

Then again, he never monitored their personal lives closely. No matter how desperately he wanted to protect his son, there were boundaries he refused to cross. Privacy was one of them.

The realization finally sank in fully.

They were safe.

Truly safe.

Cassius slowly exhaled, his shoulders dropping as the tension bled out of him. After what felt like forever, his chest finally felt lighter.

"...So miracles still exist after all," he murmured.

A faint, relieved smile tugged at his lips. He thanked the doctor quietly before heading back to the recovery room.

Reynold was no longer there, probably having gone out to arrange something. Cassius approached the door, hand resting on the handle. But before he could push it open, he paused.

Through the glass panel, he saw Kendrick and Zephany inside—quiet, close, their presence filling the room with a silent warmth. The atmosphere felt different. Softer. Personal.

Cassius lingered for a moment.

Then he slowly withdrew his hand.

They deserved this moment.

Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving the two of them to the privacy they finally, rightfully earned.

Inside the recovery room, the atmosphere felt quieter than it had been in hours. The hum of monitors and the soft rustle of curtains were the only sounds filling the space.

Kendrick and Zephany sat side by side on one of the beds, shoulders gently touching, both staring at each other with warm, adoring eyes.

It was the kind of silence that did not feel awkward at all. Instead, it was comforting, gentle, almost sacred.

Earlier, when they first woke up, they had desperately wanted to rush to each other, to hold on to the reassurance that the other was alive and breathing. But with Cassius hovering beside Kendrick and Reynold practically glued to Zephany’s side, they could do nothing more than steal quick, longing glances.

Reynold, especially, refused to leave. He kept questioning Zephany nonstop. Are you dizzy? Are you hurting anywhere? Can you move your hands? Do you feel weak? Do you need something? Do you want water? Should I call the doctor again?

Zephany almost lost her patience, but she endured it, answering questions she did not even need to answer. The only way to make him leave was to keep talking until he eventually surrendered.

After what felt like an eternity, she managed to persuade him to step out for a while and buy what she needed. And now, finally, peace.

The very moment Reynold left and the door clicked shut, Kendrick immediately shifted closer and sat beside her.

"Wife, how are you feeling? Are you hurt anywhere?" His voice was full of concern as he instinctively started checking her arms and face, his brows tightly furrowed.

Zephany sighed and shook her head with a faint smile. "Oh come on. My brother finally stopped and now you’re the one acting like him." She gave him a playful glare. "Do you want to leave too?"

Kendrick blinked, then quickly raised both hands in surrender. "Okay, I won’t." He tried to look serious but ended up pouting like a scolded puppy.