Meanwhile—In Eleanor's Room
Rei had told the nurse that his mother had woken up. The news spread quickly. A doctor arrived soon after and examined Eleanor thoroughly.
She was still weak—far too weak—but for the first time in weeks, she could sit up in bed. She even managed to drink water on her own. For the medical team, it was a miracle. Hope flickered again.
The nurse rushed out to find Ethan, her heart full of relief. She reached the lab door, but outside it stood another doctor, arms folded, eyes firm, leaning against the wall.
"I need to speak with Mr. Davis," the nurse said gently. "I have important news."
"I'm sorry," the man said. "He's... in the middle of something serious. Please, wait."
She nodded, unsure, and returned down the hallway.
Back in the Lab
On the screen, Olivia continued.
"I transferred the funds you needed. It's already in your bank account—more than enough to create the chemical... and extras. Enough to stabilize her. Enough to save your family."
Ethan leaned forward, his eyes widening.
"I gave you everything, Ethan," Olivia said, smiling faintly. "My life savings."
His breath caught in his chest.
"I also used what I had left to buy the advanced nutrient packs—more than you've ever been able to afford. Enough to sustain a city... Enough to keep Eleanor energized for a few days at least."
He stared at the screen, stunned, silent.
Her voice cracked. "But... I also gave her something else."
Ethan's eyes widened in horror. "No... no..." he whispered.
"I gave her my heart," Olivia said softly. "The one that was meant for you, long ago." her voice trembled. "I know you forgave me... but I never forgave myself. For what I did. For how I hurt you. I've carried it every day. I didn't want to die with that weight."
Ethan stood frozen, shaking, eyes brimming with tears.
"I gave her my heart... because I still love you."
"Damn it..." Ethan whispered, clenching his jaw. He looked away. His fists slammed against the table.
"I wanted you to live the life I never could. I want you to be happy. I want to keep the people alive that deserve to live...unlike me"
The screen flickered slightly. Olivia looked down, then smiled again, softly, painfully.
"Tell your wife I never regretted loving you. And I'll always be in her heart—now, literally."
She placed her hand over the camera. "Goodbye, Ethan... I love you."
The video ended.
The room went still.
Ethan stood in front of the dark screen, chest rising and falling with ragged breaths. His hands trembled at his sides. The silence was deafening.
He couldn't move. Couldn't think. Couldn't breathe.
Olivia's words still echoed in his mind, circling endlessly, digging into his chest like splinters: "I gave her my heart... The one that was meant for you."
He clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.
Anger. Guilt. Grief. All of it rushed through him at once.
He stood there, trembling, alone in the sterile glow of the lab.
Meanwhile—In Eleanor's Room
A doctor stood by Eleanor's bedside, clipboard in hand, checking her vitals.
Rei watched silently from the desk.
Trying to keep his breathing steady.
"You're showing some improvement," the doctor said with practiced calm. "You can move more than before."
Eleanor listened, still pale, her breaths shallow but steady.
"It won't last long," the doctor continued. "Only for today, maybe. The nutrient package your husband acquired was significantly larger than the usual dose. It's bought you some time."
Her eyes widened a little.
"If the baby's condition doesn't worsen, you'll be able to stay conscious—at least for today."
Eleanor nodded slowly, processing everything. She turned her head toward Rei.
The boy sat still, hiding his tears behind a practiced expression. His small hands were buried deep in the pockets of his hoodie, clenched tightly around the piece of folded paper inside.