Sonia's meaning was clear to Tom. She believed the carrier was still alive and was unsure how long he would live. On the other hand, Toby was on the point of death, and she feared he would not make it till the carrier died.
"Don't be concerned, Miss Reed. The carrier is already ill and has to be hospitalized. It is an incurable disease with a life expectancy of only a few months. Several months have passed. I called yesterday and discovered that the carrier only had two days left. When he dies, the heart will be immediately sent here so that President Fuller can obtain it," he elaborated.
Tim's glasses were reflected as he stared at Tom.
Similarly, he cast a glance at Tim as well. "So, kindly schedule an operation for President Fuller and take a few days off. We need you to operate on him when the time comes."
Tim grinned when he heard that. "Understood. I see you've accepted my advice last night."
Tom kept his head down and remained silent.
Sonia did not know what they were doing nor understood Tim's remarks. All she knew was that Toby was going to be saved. This is fantastic news.
"That's great," she said, smiling. "Can surgery be done in a matter of days?"
"A physical examination is essential because Toby's physical fitness must meet the surgical requirement," Tim answered as he pushed his glasses up his nose.
She quickly nodded in response. "He will satisfy the criterion since he exercises regularly. Aside from his heart, he is in good physical shape."
"It should be alright," he replied.
Despite Toby's unfortunate circumstances, Sonia felt much better knowing that he had located his heart and would have surgery soon. However, her mood remained bleak.
He would be saved, but he was still in the intensive care unit. She could not relax until he could stand before her in one piece. Furthermore, she was the one who caused him agony and brought him down.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Brown," she apologized abruptly.
"Miss Reed, why the sudden apology?" Tom inquired while looking at her. He could not quite figure her out.
She took a long breath and replied softly, "Toby is nearly dead due to my actions. According to Rita, Asher was the one who started the fire. He holds a grudge against me and is upset with me since Paradigm took away his rights. It's no wonder that after disliking me for so long, Asher will do something crazy like to kill me. However, he bears no ill will against Toby. I hurt Toby! He wouldn't be in ICU if I didn't take him to the factory."
Tom sighed after staring at her for a time. "Please, Miss Reed, don't do this. You didn't injure President Fuller because you made him go to the factory. It was his request. We're all aware of how much he adores and cares about you. Please don't blame yourself because he will never let you go alone. I don't think President Fuller will blame you either."
A subordinate like me couldn't do it if President Fuller didn't blame her.
"I see what you're saying, but I can't let it go." Sonia smiled wryly.
He remained motionless for a moment before saying, "If you can't let it go, you should take care of your body right now. President Fuller will require months of recuperation. You must look for him to make amends for him throughout this time."
Miss Reed should feel better in this scenario.
"Could the heart injury be caused by jumping down the cliff at that time?" she murmured before tensing up.
"That's accurate," Tom verified her suspicion. "President Fuller's heart was broken the last time he plunged from the cliff. He did, however, ask us not to say anything, especially to you and Old Mrs. Fuller. That's why we kept it hidden from you."
"I see. I see…" She then ridiculed, "That's why I've always suspected him of harboring a secret from me. Why does he choose to keep such an important truth from me? I'm the one that caused him pain. Yes, it's all my fault from the start. Whether it was last time or this time, it's my fault!" She hammered her wounded heart, feeling guilty and sorrowful.
Seeing her demeanor, Tom hurriedly stated, "Miss Reed, please don't do this. President Fuller was keeping it from you because he knows how much you will blame yourself. Although he jumped to save you at the time, he had always done so voluntarily, whether then or now. You did not request that he do so. Even if you were wrong, you only bear some blame. Furthermore, he conceals it from you for a reason other than to keep you from feeling guilty and remorseful."
"What exactly is it?" Her voice was as hoarse as it had been since she had awoken. The only difference was that the emotions disguised in the voice were far more complex, intermingled with various levels of despair and self-blame.
"You and President Fuller had not reconciled at the time. If you knew he broke his heart to save you, it was pretty likely that you would reconcile with him to repay his compassion, but he didn't want that. What he desired was your willingness to return to him, not your willingness to stay with him for atonement," Tom elaborated.
Rita, like Sonia, covered her lips in amazement when these words were spoken. "President Fuller… He's such a nice person."
Sonia's scarlet lips shook just a little. That's right. The honest Toby is such a nice guy who thinks about others. Unfortunately, Tina kept the real him hidden for six years. As a result, I had to deal with the false Toby for six years.
"I owe him far too much favor. I'm at a loss on how to compensate him…" she whispered as she hunched over on the bed.
Toby had made too many sacrifices for me, and I couldn't keep track of it any longer. I'll never be able to repay him!
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