Chapter 2

[Host, if you give up now, you will die in the world you originated from as well. There is a chance you won’t be revived again.]

Suddenly, a faint trace of urgency crept into the system’s mechanical voice, sounding almost humane.

Jaime leaned against the doorframe with bloodstains still on his fingers. He spoke with utter indifference, “Can I in any way survive without the heart transplant?”

The system remained silent for a long time before finally answering him.

[No, your heart and lung failure had reached a terminal stage. Without a suitable candidate for a heart transplant, you will not last more than five days.]

Jaime chuckled softly, “In that case, what difference does it make?”

There was a weary look in his eyes.

“Whether I give up or not, it all ends in failure anyway. It’s just a matter of whether I die in this world or in the original world.”

He had protected Eden for many years and did everything he could to steer her away from the original plot. Even after all that, he could not defy the fate ordained for him.

Now that he was afflicted with a terminal illness and had his final option for survival stripped away, the mission had become pointless to him.

[The mission has been abandoned. The system will no longer alter the plot. The host has five days left to live.]

After the system's voice trailed off in Jaime’s head, everything fell silent.

He dropped to the cold, hard floor with his back slumped against the door.

He could not sleep the rest of the night.

Eden did not return either. This was the first time she stayed out all night.

Even when she was out drinking with her clients or discussing business deals in other cities, she would rush home one way or another. She would do it just to sit quietly outside Jaime’s room for ten minutes to prevent him from overthinking in her absence.

By the time Jaime heard the sound of the door opening, it was already morning. He was already seated at the dining table with a warm bowl of oatmeal.

When Eden pushed the door open, the smell of hospital disinfectant along with the chilly morning breeze wafted into the house. Her eyes were bloodshot. There were dark circles under her eyes, and she seemed exhausted.

The moment she saw Jaime, a flicker of guilt flashed across her eyes.

“There was an emergency at work last night, so I had to work late. I decided to just sleep in the office lounge.”

There was something coy about the way she said it. It was as if she was trying to stay in Jaime’s good graces.

She had always had a way of coaxing him with sweet assurances. However, the evasive look in her eyes this time made her explanation seem especially sheepish.

Jaime eyed her for a moment before setting down his spoon and gently wiping his lips with a tissue.

“How is Jericho?”

Eden flinched. A look of panic flashed across her eyes while she stammered, “I can explain, his condition became critical last night. I had no choice…”

“It’s alright, I understand.” Jaime interrupted her, “It’s a matter of life and death, after all. Anyone would have done the same thing.”

His calm demeanor had the opposite effect of settling Eden’s feelings of guilt and unease. She felt like she was getting the breath choked out of her.

She would have much preferred Jaime lashing out at her rather than having his present calmness.

She wanted to come up with another explanation to rid herself of her guilt. Just as her lips parted in an attempt to speak, Jaime continued, “Make sure you take good care of him. Since he has the same condition as me, he won’t be able to handle cold food or anything raw. Make sure you don’t overstimulate him either.”

Jaime's voice maintained its relaxed cadence as he went on, “The specially imported medicine the doctor prescribed for me is still in the cabinet on the left side in my study. You can let him have it. If he needs more, tell the assistant to order more. You don’t have to ask for my permission.

“Also, you can let him stay on in the hillside villa if he wants to. It’s in a nice, serene area and is close to the hospital, which is perfect for his recovery.”

Jaime barely even frowned as he spoke. It sounded as if he was talking about something completely ordinary, something unrelated to himself.

Eden gulped. She wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat.

Just a little while ago, the very same subject had been the cause of Jaime’s violent breakdown. He had flown into a rage, tearing apart the living room and threatening Jericho.

But now, he had become completely indifferent.

A bizarre feeling threatened to overtake Eden until she reasoned that Jaime had always been someone who was very clear about what he wanted. Since he was never the type to suppress what he truly felt, his current reaction must imply that he was truly over it.

Besides, he had plenty more houses, so it was no skin off his back at all.

With that, the guilt inside her deflated. After heaving a sigh of relief, she remarked as if to vindicate herself again, “I just feel sorry for him, that's all, since he is suffering from such a serious illness and doesn’t have anyone in the city to look after him. I figured I could help him out where I can.”

Then, she cast a look at Jaime before solemnly assuring him, “Just wait a little longer, alright? I have already contacted all the hospitals in the country and used all the connections I have. We’re going to find you a heart transplant before you know it. I promise you I won't let anything happen to you.”

Looking at the fixed look in her eyes along with her resolute expression, Jaime chuckled softly to himself.

Rather than asking her to elaborate, all he did was ask candidly, “When is Jericho’s transplantation surgery?”

Eden paused for a moment before answering, “The doctors had it scheduled for five days from now. All the preliminary examinations are done, and there shouldn’t be any hiccups since they confirmed that the organ is a perfect match.”

There was a subtle hint of relief in her voice when she spoke.

Five days.

Jaime nodded faintly without adding any further comment.

That happened to be the day he was to leave this world.