"Goodnight, Shuyin," he murmured into the darkness.
She didn't answer, already lost in dreams of ancient seas and forgotten kingdoms.
Lu Yuze closed his eyes, one arm wrapped around his unusual wife, and let himself drift into sleep.
Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, demanding family members, complicated business dealings, and questions about his sudden marriage.
But tonight, there was only this: the warmth of the woman in his arms, the knowledge that the children were safe and happy down the hallway, and the quiet contentment of a house that finally felt like a home.
— — — — — —
The deterioration accelerated after midnight.
Dr. Chen made his rounds at 1 AM and found Lu Zeyan sitting up in bed, staring at his hands with the fascinated confusion of someone seeing them for the first time.
"Mr. Lu?" The doctor approached cautiously. "How are you feeling?"
Lu Zeyan looked up at him. His eyes were unfocused, vacant in a way they hadn't been hours before. His mouth opened.
