Chapter 148: Bad Condition
"After I met you again and after you left me a week ago, I realised something..." Daisy’s voice was steady, but her fingers twisted the blanket in her lap. She drew in a shaky breath before continuing. "I realised my feeling for you is deeper and no matter how much I hate you... it couldn’t suppress the feeling..."
Theo didn’t move. He sat at the edge of the bed, shoulders tense, his hands clasped tightly together. For once, he forced himself into silence. Listening. He owed her that much, more than that, really. All the words he could have said felt cheap, so he chose none.
Daisy’s eyes softened, but not without pain. "You know... sometimes I wish I could just stop. Stop loving you, stop hating you, stop feeling all of it. But I can’t. It’s like no matter what you do, or how badly you hurt me, my heart just..." she paused, pressing a hand to her chest as if the weight of it were too much, "...keeps choosing you."
Her honesty cut through the quiet, raw and unguarded.
Theo’s throat tightened, but he kept still, every word lodging itself inside him like a blade. He wanted to reach for her, to tell her he felt the same, but guilt held him back.
Daisy sighed weakly, looking at him, "So... hmm... even if I am so mad at you because you put away ’trust’ in our relationship, I don’t think I can live longer without you by my side..."
Daisy’s words hung between them, fragile and fierce all at once. Theo’s hands loosened until they unclenched, as if the motion alone could let some air back into his chest.
He swallowed. The room felt too small for everything he wanted to say and too big for the shame that kept him silent. Finally, he breathed, his voice rough and honest.
"I don’t deserve you," he admitted. "I left when you needed me most. I was too caught up in my own emotions, selfish... and I hurt you. I’m sorry. God, Daisy, I’m so sorry."
She watched him, and though her smile was soft, it was still laced with pain. "Sorry is a start," she said quietly. "But just a heads up... I’m a petty person. It’ll be hard for me to forget something this big, so I’ll need time. And when my emotions or hormones act up, I might..." she paused, biting her lip before continuing, "I might bring this up over and over again."
Theo’s chest tightened, but this time it wasn’t from shame—it was relief. His lips curved into the faintest, shaky smile.
"I’ll take it all," he said, voice low but steady. "Every complaint, every time you throw it back in my face. I’ll take it. Just... don’t shut me out again."
Daisy blinked at him, a little stunned by how serious he looked. Then she huffed, a small laugh breaking through despite herself. "You say that now, but wait until I bring it up while you’re half-asleep at two in the morning."
"I’ll still take it," Theo shot back quickly, though his ears burned red. "Might grumble... but I’ll take it."
Her lips curved, the pain still there but softened by something warmer. For the first time in a long while, the weight between them didn’t feel impossible to carry.
Their moment was suddenly interrupted by a knock at the door. A few seconds later, it slid open.
"Mr. and Mrs. Kingsley," the doctor greeted politely, stepping inside with a clipboard in hand. "If you’re both feeling stable, I’d like to brief you on your conditions."
Theo straightened his posture, his protective instinct kicking back in. Daisy shifted slightly against the pillows, her fingers brushing the blanket nervously as they both turned their attention toward the doctor.
"Sure..." Theo rose, moving to stand beside the bed.
"Have a seat too, Mr. Kingsley," the doctor said, his tone measured, his expression carrying a seriousness that immediately set the air heavier. "We’ll be discussing your condition first."
Theo hesitated, glancing at Daisy before lowering himself into the chair. Both of them exchanged a small frown, silently bracing themselves.
The doctor adjusted his glasses, flipping through the chart in his hands. "You’ve both been under significant stress and physical strain. But Mr. Kingsley..." his gaze lifted to Theo, steady and direct, "your test results show something concerning."
The doctor’s tone softened, though the seriousness in his eyes didn’t waver. "Your results show extreme fatigue, bordering on burnout. High stress levels, poor sleep, and malnutrition... it’s taking a toll on your body, Mr. Kingsley. If you keep pushing like this, it won’t just be fevers you’re dealing with."
Theo exhaled through his nose, jaw tightening as if he’d expected worse but still didn’t like hearing it.
"So what does that mean exactly?" Daisy asked quickly, her brows knitted in concern.
"It means rest is no longer optional," the doctor replied firmly. "Proper meals, proper sleep, and a reduction in stress. Otherwise... your body will force you to stop in ways that are much less forgiving."
Daisy glanced at Theo, her worry plain, but Theo leaned back slightly, his tone even, almost too casual. "It’s nothing new. Happens all the time when I overwork or stress too much."
He spoke like it was a simple fact, not a complaint, not even a concern, just the way things were.
"Ouch!" Theo winced, flinching as Daisy’s hand smacked his shoulder.
"Nothing new? Seriously?" Her eyes narrowed, her tone sharp with disbelief. "You’ve got a high fever, end up in a hospital bed, and you say it’s nothing new? Do you even hear yourself?"
Theo rubbed the spot she’d hit, his lips twitching despite the sting. "Well... I’ve handled worse. Just part of life, I guess."
"Is this your way of protecting me?" Daisy’s eyes furrowed as she looked slightly angry and Theo immediately understood the meaning behind her question.
Theo blinked, his expression faltering as her words sank in. He rubbed the back of his neck, a slow, uneasy breath escaping him.
"Ah... I... I’m sorry," he murmured, his voice quiet, almost vulnerable. "I... I didn’t think... I guess I never realized... if I can’t even take care of myself, how could I ever protect you?"
Daisy’s eyes softened slightly, the sharp edge of her worry giving way to a trace of relief. "Exactly," she said gently. "Protect and take good care of yourself first, then you can take care and protect the people around you..."
The doctor who had been standing awkwardly there, suddenly cleared his throat, "I’m sorry to interrupt but can I continue?" He smiled, but obviously looked awkward.
Theo nodded, "Go on..."
"So, Mr. Kingsley...it’s important you take this seriously. You need proper rest, balanced meals, and to avoid overexertion. Stress management isn’t optional... your body won’t wait for you to catch up." He glanced at Daisy before continuing.
"For you, Mrs. Kingsley, the concern is the sleep deprivation and its effect on your recovery. Your body needs uninterrupted rest. I’ve prescribed a mild regimen to help regulate your sleep and reduce anxiety episodes. Additionally, maintain a steady diet and avoid overexertion physically and emotionally."
Just as the doctor was explaining the necessary steps, the hospital room door slid open harshly, rattling against the frame. The sudden noise made both Theo and Daisy flinch, their attention snapping toward the intrusion.
"Daisy... we need to talk..."
All heads turned to the door, and Daisy’s eyes widened as she saw the person she hadn’t met in a long while.