They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System

Chapter 565: It Can’t Wait!

The sound echoed in the grand room. She froze, mortified. She had just thrown a tantrum like a child.

“Fine, fine, I’m the silly one,” Carl rasped, his lips twitching into the faintest smile. “But seriously… get over here and help me up.”

Nnenna blinked, frowning. Help him up? Her heart lurched. “What’s going on?” she asked, worry spiking as she jogged to his side.

“I’m sick, silly girl,” Carl replied with a short laugh, only to immediately wince and clutch his side.

Nnenna’s chest tightened. “It’s this serious? You should lie back down, don’t sit up,” she scolded, already guiding him back against the pillows with more strength than her slim arms seemed to have.

“I can sit up, don’t worry—”

“I’m not asking,” Nnenna cut in sharply, pressing his shoulder down with surprising authority. She tucked the blankets around him like a stubborn nurse. “You’ll rest properly.”

Carl huffed, both amused and a little touched.

“What happened?” she demanded, eyes darting to the door. “I’ll go ask someone to call a doctor—”

“I am a doctor, silly. Or did you forget?” Carl said, his voice dry but warm, even as pain shadowed his features. “And you’re a fourth year medical student yourself.”

Nnenna froze mid step, cheeks heating. “Oh.”

Carl chuckled again, then immediately hissed in pain. “You’ve got to stop making me laugh,” he muttered, but there was no bite in his words, only the faintest trace of fondness.

“Sorry,” Nnenna murmured, guilt heavy in her chest. Her eyes softened as she leaned closer. “…So? What’s the diagnosis?”

off, amused that

breaking into a sharp cough. His body jolted, shuddering as if every breath carved pain into his chest. His hand pressed

toward him, but he caught

panic,” he said, voice strained yet

ignore what she was seeing. His skin was unnaturally pale,

temperature. His breathing wasn’t shallow, but

mind raced. Cyanosis… hypoxia… some sort of

she whispered, the words slipping out

But you’re not quite there yet.” Even now, his tone wasn’t dismissive, it carried a faint pride, though buried beneath pain. He forced

Nnenna pressed,

a patient. His gaze was sharp, detached, but

ever classified. Cyanosis without pulmonary obstruction. Paralysis creeping faster than a neurotoxin, yet not as direct. The pain—” he

Tetrodotoxin? None fit perfectly. She bit

“You’re sharp, but still rushing the connections,” he murmured, voice softer now. “That’s the difference between textbook brilliance and experience in the field. Don’t

pride at his words and terror for his condition. “Then… how do

he were discussing a difficult case instead of his own failing body. “Not yet. But I’ve found ways to slow it down. Intervals of deep oxygen therapy,

filled with a dark amber liquid. “It doesn’t cure me. But it keeps time

Nnenna. If even I can’t name it, then whoever created it meant for it to

ran

I can—” Nnenna started, but before

“Nnenna.”

stomach dropped. Not now. Not now! she rebuked mentally, though her face

wait,” the