Chapter 1809:


    “Those are King’s rules. If anyone else had found out, King would have refused to operate, and Gillian would have died,” she replied, her voice even and matter-of-fact.


    “I’m sorry. I was so panicked that I forgot how King operates,” Alban said at once. He knew better than anyone that King’s involvement had been the only thing capable of changing the oue. King was the only surgeon willing to take on the cases and procedures that other doctors wouldn’t touch. Without that intervention, Gillian would not have survived. He couldn’t bring himself to follow that thought to its end — the idea of losing her made something cold clench in his chest. Outside of his own family, he had never been this afraid of losing someone.


    When Bain arrived and spotted Christina, he took her by the arm and looked her over carefully.


    “Bain, stop fussing. I’m fine — I was just following King’s instructions,” Christina said with a small, tired smile.


    Bain exhaled slowly once he had satisfied himself that she was unharmed. “I’m just relieved you’re safe,” he said.


    “Did you actually see King?” Alban asked suddenly.


    Christina shook her head. “No. I fainted. By the time I came to, I was already here at the hospital.”


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    “Hardly anyone ever sees King anyway,” Alban murmured. Then, more urgently: “Where is Gillian now?”


    “I’ll take you to her.” Christina nced at her brother. “Bain, you should head home.”


    “Alright,” Bain answered, watching the two of them disappear through the hospital doors.


    In a VIP ward, Alban drew a chair close to Gillian’s bed and sat down. Seeing her lying there so still, so pale against the white of the sheets, sent a sharp ache through him.


    “When will she wake up?” he asked quietly.


    “I’m not certain,” Christina replied. “It could bete tonight, or it might not be until tomorrow.”


    “Did King leave any specific instructions for her care?” The fear of doing something wrong, of somehow making things worse, pressed heavily on him.


    “Nothing beyond the standard. If you’re concerned, speak with the doctors here — they’ll give you a list of dietary restrictions,” Christina said.


    “Thank you. Truly,” Alban replied, and he meant it.


    “I need to leave soon, so I’m entrusting this to you. You should arrange security for this room, just to be safe,” Christina suggested.


    “Understood. I’ll take care of everything. Let me arrange a car for you.”


    She shook her head. “That’s alright. Bain will send someone.”


    “Of course.” Alban said nothing more after that. His entire focus had already narrowed down to the woman in the bed before him.


    He lifted her hand and held it gently against his cheek. “Gillian, please wake up,” he whispered. “We made ns to take Adide out. She can’t lose you — soe back. Wake up, and get strong again.”


    The following morning, as pale light crept through the window, Gillian slowly surfaced from sleep. Her eyes opened to a blurred, unfamiliar ceiling, and for a moment she couldn’t ce herself.


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