Ch. 301: Mr. Edwards’ Unraveled Life chapter 301

Chapter 301

The only person living next door to Norah must have had something to do with her situation.

Kevin couldn’t stand by any longer as he watched Norah grow thinner and weaker.

“You stay here and keep an eye on her. I need to go somewhere,” Kevin said abruptly, already heading out of the room.

Cody, unsure of where Kevin was going, simply nodded. “Alright.”

What was clear was that Norah’s kidnapping had caused her immense harm.

To have identified her poisoning so quickly and even alleviated some of its effects, the person next door couldn’t be ordinary.

Kevin couldn’t let go of even the slimmest hope.

He returned to the apartment and stood in front of the door next to Norah’s. Without hesitation, he knocked firmly.

In under a minute, the door opened.

Jace, who had been home all along, appeared as though he’d expected Kevin. There was no surprise in his expression. Instead, he simply stepped aside and said, “Come in.”

Kevin immediately noticed Jace’s pale complexion and frail demeanor. “Did you put that string of beads on Norah?”

Jace poured Kevin a glass of water before replying, “That string of beads was hers to begin with.”

Kevin’s sharp eyes darkened as he asked, “I’ve never seen you among Norah’s friends. Who are you?”

A faint smirk tugged at Jace’s lips. “I’m not a friend. I’m someone who can’t be seen in the light.”

Jace’s words revealed his reality—he existed in the shadows. For years, he’d had no need for friends. But Norah was different. She held a unique place in his heart.

Kevin quickly noticed the injuries on Jace’s body, including a cut on his wrist that seemed to have bled heavily.

“Why haven’t you gone to the hospital?” Kevin asked.

“I’m a doctor,” Jace replied flatly, sitting down across from Kevin. “No one knows my body better than I do.”

Kevin’s gaze sharpened. “So, you knew Norah was poisoned. The string of beads was to keep her alive.”

Jace took a sip of water, his parched lips drinking deeply as though he were a dying man finding relief in the desert. Setting the glass down, he met Kevin’s eyes. “Yes, she was poisoned. And the worst part is, I can’t cure her. All I can do is keep her alive for now.”

Hearing this, Kevin’s chest tightened. This wasn’t an ordinary poison.

“How long can you sustain her?” Jace touched his wrist, his voice void of emotion. “I don’t know. Maybe when the last drop of my blood is gone, her time will run out too.”

Jace didn’t seem afraid. He had lived this long with only one purpose: to find Norah. His entire existence revolved around her.

“You’re a medicine man. Your blood is invaluable. Is she worth it?” Kevin pressed.

“Saving her is the only thing that makes me feel truly free,” Jace admitted. His voice carried a mix of helplessness and resignation. “People like us… we don’t have freedom.”

Obligations and orders defined their lives, leaving no room for autonomy—not even over their own bodies.

“This poison—what is it?” Kevin asked.

“K48,” Jace answered evenly. “I haven’t found the antidote yet. What I do know is that the early stages show bruising on the body. In the middle stages, the victim becomes weak all over. And in the final stage, the body ulcerates until it succumbs.”

Kevin’s brow furrowed. “Who created it?”

“Pharaoh,” Jace said, locking eyes with Kevin. “You’ve heard of him—the leader of that criminal organization.”

Kevin’s jaw tightened. During his time in the military, he had heard Pharaoh’s name, but no one had ever been able to track him down.

“You’ve never seen him?” Kevin asked.

Jace shook his head. “He’s incredibly elusive. He never reveals his true identity. What I do know is that he’s a brilliant virologist and a skilled fighter.”

The mention of this criminal organization escalated the seriousness of the situation.

It also explained Norah’s mysterious disappearance during a summer vacation in high school, around the same time authorities cracked down on a criminal gang. Many had been arrested or killed, but some, like Pharaoh, had evaded capture.

Kevin studied Jace closely. “Aren’t you afraid of retaliation from your organization for telling me all this?”

Jace smiled faintly. “I’ve already told you—my life is for her. As a medicine man, I’m too valuable for them to kill. It takes immense resources to create someone like me.”

Jace’s unwavering dedication to Norah left Kevin surprised—and slightly unsettled. Their connection was undeniable, and Kevin couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy.

“Is she unconscious now?” Jace asked.

“She suddenly fainted,” Kevin replied.

Jace’s brow furrowed in concern.

Kevin made a decision. “You’ve helped Norah. I’ll do everything I can to help you gain your freedom. But first, we need to find the antidote.”

Jace considered this for a moment. “The antidote… maybe she has it.”

Kevin leaned forward. “Who?”

...

Norah slept for an entire day and night.

Kevin stayed by her side the whole time, unwilling to leave or rest.

When Norah finally opened her eyes, it was noon. Her body still felt heavy with exhaustion, but she noticed someone holding her hand.

She turned her head and saw Kevin.

Her voice was hoarse as she asked, “What’s wrong with me? And why do you look so worn out?”

Kevin’s eyes were bloodshot, and his unshaven face showed his fatigue. She had never seen him like this before.

A relieved smile spread across his face. “You’re awake. That’s all that matters. I promise I’ll never make you upset again, okay?”

“Upset?” Norah frowned, trying to recall. “Oh, right. You told me not to provoke Bianca for her sake. That really annoyed me. But… what happened after that? How did I fall asleep?”

Her memory was hazy, but something felt off.

Kevin adjusted her pillow and helped her sit up. “You were exhausted. The doctor said you needed rest.”

“Really?” Norah was skeptical. “Then why do you look so worried? I thought I had some terminal illness or something.”

“Don’t say that.” Kevin’s voice softened. “You’ll live a long, healthy life.”

“How long was I asleep?”

“An entire day and night.”

“That long?” Norah was surprised. “I’ve never slept that much before.”

Kevin pulled her into his arms. “It’s different when you’re pregnant.”

He tried to sound casual, but his red eyes betrayed his lingering fear. He had been terrified that Norah might not make it.