The color drained from his face as dread and panic rose in his heart.

Could it be that he had become paralyzed?

He wasn't worried about being unable to move his body earlier as he had just woken up from what seemed to be a coma. So, he thought he just needed some time to regain complete control of his body.

However, now that he had been awake for some time, he could only move his head. So, he couldn't help but fear that he was paralyzed.

Toby immediately twisted his head and stared at Tim with bloodshot eyes. "Tell me. What's wrong with me? Why can't I move?"

On the other hand, Tim wasn't fazed by the panic in Toby's eyes as he languidly readjusted his glasses before calmly answering, "You just had a heart transplant. So, I gave you a lidocaine injection so you wouldn't be able to move from the neck down for the time being. I did that to prevent you from moving unnecessarily to avoid complications like pulling your stitches. Don't worry. The injection isn't an anesthetic. So, you don't need to worry about any possible side effects."

"So, I'm not paralyzed?" Toby's eyes never left Tim's face as he desperately asked the question that needed answering.

Tim snickered, "Why would you be? It's not like you got into an accident or fell off a building."

Toby let out a sigh of relief after hearing Tim's affirmation. Thank God I'm not crippled. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

He had always been a prideful man, and he wouldn't be able to accept that he had become paraplegic or worse. How could he continue to love his partner properly if that ever came to pass?

Toby turned back to look at Sonia standing on the other side of the window. Confusion was written all over her face as she didn't understand what was up with him.

Toby blinked at her, using his expression and gaze to assure her that he was fine and that she didn't need to worry. Then, he directed his attention to Tim and said, "You said I just had a heart transplant?"

"Yes." Tim nodded impassively.

Toby pursed his lips before cautiously inquiring. "My previous heart couldn't be used anymore?"

"It's practically riddled with holes. How could you ask me that? It could barely sustain you being rescued from the fire until you were sent here. It was already at its last legs by the time you arrived So, you needed to undergo a heart transplant effectively immediately. If you hadn't had a heart ready, your life expectancy was a week at most. So, be grateful to your assistant. He decided to end the carrier's life before his time. Otherwise, you'd be looking at your body from the heavens right now." Tim told him.

Toby's eyes dilated at that shocking news as he murmured in disbelief, "The carrier… is dead?"

"Of course. How else would you have a heart just in time for the surgery?" Tim flipped open the medical record folder and scribbled on it as he replied dispassionately.

Toby's already pallid complexion turned a shade of gray after learning about the carrier's demise.

On the other hand, Tim shut the medical record folder and returned to business. "Alright. The examination shows no signs of rejection, and it doesn't look like you'll be showing any symptoms of adverse reactions. Still, keep a look out for the possibility for these few days. You should be able to transfer the patient to the general ward after a few days of observation."

The doctors and nurses standing behind him all nodded obediently as they mentally noted down Tim's orders.

"Prescribe his medicine," Tim instructed. "Since he's awake, he'll need to take his medicine. Don't forget his immunosuppressive drug. Even though there doesn't seem to be a problem now, it might show up later. So, you can't omit the immunosuppressive drug until he's out of observation."

"Yes, Director Lancaster," a doctor replied professionally.

Tim hummed in reply and thought of something as he glanced at Sonia, who was standing outside and staring at Toby. "Another thing. Open up the ICU ward for visitors. Only two visitors per day, each of them only gets 10 minutes."

"Yes, sir." Another nurse nodded in response.

Tim glanced at Toby and said, "Sonia will be able to come in to see you in a bit. You can talk to her, but you only have 10 minutes. So, use it wisely and don't waste your time. Also, avoid emotional triggers during your chat… That is unless you want to tour the operating room one more time. Have I made myself clear?"

Toby looked at him as if he was a moron. Who wouldn't be able to remember something so obvious?

Tim acted like he didn't see the ridicule in Toby's gaze and flounced out of the room. Soon, the other doctors and nurses also exited the room after completing their tasks.

Meanwhile, Tim took the opportunity to speak to Sonia. She was elated and utterly gratified to learn that she could enter Toby's ward daily for 10 minutes.

Tim snapped his fingers and got the attention of one of the nurses who had just left Toby's ward. Then, he instructed the nurse on the terms the ICU patient's visitors had to obey before directing Sonia to follow her to change into a sterile gown before even thinking about going anywhere near Toby. She was also sternly warned that she could only enter the ICU ward if she had that on. Else, she was not allowed in as Toby's health was still rather fragile at the moment.

So, Sonia obediently followed the nurse and didn't push the nurse to go faster despite her impatience. After she was done, she rushed to open the ward's door and dashed in. As she neared Toby, her eyes felt hot, and her cheeks were soon wet with tears.

Toby's heart constricted as he watched her cry without a sound. He yearned to lift his hands and wipe away her tears, but he couldn't. Due to the injection that Tim had given him, he couldn't move a single muscle from the neck down.

"Don't cry," Toby gently comforted her. "My heart aches whenever you cry. I just had surgery. This wouldn't help me recover, wouldn't it?"

Only then did Sonia realize that her reactions would easily influence his emotions. Thus, she quickly took a deep breath and roughly rubbed her eyes to stop herself from crying.

After some time, she finally managed to calm herself down and stopped crying. Then, she forced a smile on her face. "Sorry. I forgot."

"Sit." He gestured to her with his eyes toward the hospital bed.

She hastily followed his request as she sat on the bed sideways as it was easier to see him like that.

"How long have I been unconscious?" Toby asked.

Sonia tilted her head as she counted the days. "Six days."

He was surprised. "I was out that long?"

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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