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?”

alright,” Carl laughed it off, amused that she hadn’t realized

jolted, shuddering as if every breath carved pain into his chest. His

Nnenna’s heart lurched. She bent toward him, but

said, voice strained yet

seeing. His skin was unnaturally pale,

His breathing wasn’t shallow, but uneven, jagged, like his lungs were fighting against

mind raced. Cyanosis… hypoxia… some sort

poisoned,” she whispered, the words slipping out before she could hold

“Smart girl. But you’re not quite there yet.” Even now, his tone wasn’t dismissive, it carried a faint pride,

is it then?” Nnenna pressed,

condition, like a surgeon examining a patient. His gaze was sharp, detached, but the furrow in his brow

neurotoxin, yet not as direct. The pain—” he paused as his hand shook, “—is

mind worked furiously. Ricin? Botulinum? Tetrodotoxin? None fit perfectly. She bit her

the connections,” he murmured, voice softer now. “That’s the difference between textbook brilliance and experience in the field.

torn between pride at his words and terror for

instead of his own failing body. “Not yet. But I’ve found ways to slow it down. Intervals

a dark amber

in weakness. “Remember this, Nnenna. If even I can’t name

chill ran

you need me to do? I can—” Nnenna started, but before she could finish, a

“Nnenna.”

stomach dropped. Not now. Not now! she rebuked

the Love System