Chapter 604
At that moment, a realization seemed to dawn on Phoebe. She gently patted Jacob’s head and said, “If you’re planning to return home tonight, you better tell us Bryan’s current condition. What drug was he injected with?”
Jacob burst into tears, clinging to Phoebe’s leg, quickly dampening her clothes.
Between sobs, he said, “I’ll tell you everything; just please, don’t hurt me! Bryan was injected with a very potent drug.”
Phoebe was at a loss for words.
Eileen massaged her forehead, her voice steady as she asked, “Could this drug be lethal?”
“It won’t kill his brain, but it’s deadly to the rest of his body!” Jacob replied, his body trembling as he sat upright. “Are you familiar with what a vegetative state is? He will be in a worse condition than someone in a vegetative state. Although he could hear and comprehend everything around him, he would be unable to open his eyes or speak, completely paralyzed, trapped in his own body.”
The spacious room, which could easily accommodate dozens, suddenly felt uncomfortably small as Jacob’s words lingered. Eileen’s breathing grew shallow.
Her gaze remained fixed on Jacob, unblinking.
Jacob, noticeably drunk, continued, “His brain will be the only part that still works. That monster, Coen, claims it’s the coziest way to exist, lying in bed all day without eating or drinking, free from physical pain. What a cruel joke! It’s a fate worse than death!”
Once Bryan’s condition reached that point, he would be doomed to a life sustained by nutritional injections at the hospital.
Eileen struggled to comprehend the sheer magnitude of Bryan’s suffering. Slowly, the realization of his determination began to sink in. He would only be able to feel emotions, unable to act on them. That was torture.
How could he continue to love her under those circumstances? He could only love her in his mind, unable to communicate or share any closeness, while she would face the overwhelming responsibility of caring for him alone.
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“Eileen.” Phoebe’s voice cracked as she noticed Eileen sitting frozen on the couch. “No wonder Bryan wanted to keep this from you. This is bad.”
“I’m fine,” Eileen murmured, her voice shaking as she clutched the couch. Her gaze was distant and hollow.
Silence filled the room for a moment before Eileen lowered her head, pressing her palms to her temples. Her hair fell over her shoulders, partially veiling her face but unable to hide the sorrow that weighed heavily on her.
Jacob’s incessant mumbling made it harder for Phoebe to comfort Eileen. In a burst of irritation, Phoebe lashed out with a sharp kick that sent Jacob tumbling.
Moving closer to Eileen, Phoebe softened her tone. “Eileen, hold on. Jacob said earlier that it’s still uncertain whether the drug will have the intended effect. There’s still a chance.”
“I know there’s hope, but your reassurances don’t ease the pain right now. I need some space to gather myself,” Eileen responded without looking up.
Phoebe watched as a single tear fell from Eileen’s eye, silently tracing its path down her cheek and disappearing onto the floor.
“Let’s go home,” Phoebe said, summoning a waiter to help the inebriated Jacob to his feet. They left together.
Eileen was left alone in the private room, leaning against the sofa, staring at the ceiling as tears streamed down her face.
It hurt.