“I can't leave." Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at Horace. Her voice was a whisper carrying the weight of her distress.

“What happened to him? Is it serious?"

Before Horace could reply, she pressed on, desperation lacing her words.

“Why was he taking that medicine? You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"

Horace opened his mouth to respond, but the words seemed to elude him.

However, before the silence stretched too thin, the doctor emerged from the emergency room.

Ariana rushed up to him, her voice trembling with barely restrained emotion.

"Doctor, how is he?" Her heart pounded in her chest as she steeled herself for the answer.

In an unexpected turn of events, the doctor merely waved his hand dismissively.

“It‘s nothing serious. He's just severely fatigued. He needs to rest for a few days, and he'll be fine."

Caught off guard, Ariana stared at the doctor, her mind racing to process the words.

“He's... He's okay?" she asked, her voice a mere echo of disbelief.

The doctor simply nodded.

Realizing that Theodore was indeed okay left Ariana suspended between relief and incredulity.

The doctor then said, “There is some paperwork to be completed."

“I can do it!" Ariana volunteered, already preparing to leave. But Horace gently stopped her.

"Go rest, Mrs. Anderson. I'll handle the paperwork.”

Trusting that Horace was more experienced in such matters and sensing her own exhaustion, Ariana nodded, then headed back to her hospital room.

After Ariana's departure, Horace and the doctor moved to the examination room where Aldus was already waiting. Having heard the earlier commotion, Aldus had rushed over and requested the doctor to assure Ariana that Theodore was fine.

With only the three of them present now, the doctor's face adopted a grave expression. Turning to Aldus, he said, "Mr. Fredrick, given the patient's current state, an urgent surgery is necessary. If we don't act soon, his life will be in danger."