The Heiress He Underestimated novel Chapter 116

The Heiress He Underestimated

Finished

Chapter 116 Progress

“It’s my medical suite now. I’m the doctor. That makes it mine.”

“Fair point.” He watched her check his vitals, his eyes following her movements. “You look exhausted.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re a terrible liar when it comes to your own wellbeing. You can lie about everything else, but not that.”

“Pot, meet kettle.”

“Touché.” He caught her hand as she adjusted his IV line. “Seriously, though. When’s the last time you slept?”

“I slept in your bed last night. Well, this morning. Technically.”

“For maybe four hours. That’s not enough.”

“It’ll have to be enough. I need to monitor you constantly for the next forty–eight hours. Sleep can wait.”

“Then I’m not sleeping either. If you’re awake, I’m awake. Solidarity.”

Elera stared at him. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. You need rest to heal. That’s the whole point.”

“And you need rest to function. So we’re at an impasse.” His grip on her hand tightened slightly. “How about this? You set up a cot or a chair in here, close enough to monitor me, and then you rest. Even if it’s just closing your eyes for an hour. Deal?”

“That’s still you trying to take care of me when you’re the patient.”

“Yes, well, I’m contrary like that. It’s part of my charm.”

“You don’t have charm. You have money and cheekbones,”

“I have some charm,” he protested. “I charmed you into marrying me.”

“You blackmailed me into marrying you with a medical mystery I couldn’t resist. That’s not charm, that’s strategy.”

“Semantics.”

Despite her exhaustion and worry, Elera smiled. This was what she needed. This stupid, easy banter that reminded her why she was fighting so hard to save him. He wasn’t just a patient or a case study or a genetic puzzle. He was Drakonius. Her husband. Her partner. Her friend.

The person who made terrible action movies bearable and forced her to take care of herself even when he was the one who needed caring for.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll have Simon bring in a recliner. But I’m not really sleeping. Just resting with my eyes closed while still being completely alert to any changes in your condition.”

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11:53 am

Chapter 116 Progress

“Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

Finished

Simon did bring in a recliner, a really comfortable one from somewhere in the house. He also brought blankets, pillows, and another sandwich for Elera that she ate without knowing how it tasted.

The afternoon soon turn into evening. Elera administered the second dose of the modified protocol at six PM exactly. This time Drakonius was ready for the fizzing sensation, but he reported a new symptom.

“My ears feel hot,” he said. “Like really hot. Is that normal?”

Elera checked the data. “The enzymes are targeting the neural pathways in your head now. Hot ears are a harmless side effect. They’ll cool down in about twenty minutes.”

“Good to know I’m not spontaneously combusting from the inside out.”

“If you were combusting, your ears would be the least of your worries.”

“Also a good point.”

They fell into a rhythm. Elera would work in the lab for a few hours, analyzing data and preparing the next dose. Then she’d come sit with Drakonius for a while, checking vitals and making sure he was comfortable. Clara would pop in occasionally with food or entertainment or just to make sure Elera was still conscious.

Around ten PM, Anya came in with the latest test results. “The inflammatory markers are down another five percent. White blood cell count is stabilizing. It’s working, Elera. Not fast, but it’s working.”

Relief flooded through her so strong it made her dizzy. “That’s good. That’s really good. What about the cellular regeneration?”

“Still showing some degradation, but the rate has slowed. I think once we get the inflammation completely under control, the regeneration will bounce back.”

After Anya left, Elera just sat in her recliner and breathed. They were going to make it. He was going to be okay.

“Hey,” Drakonius said softly. “You okay over there?”

“Yeah. Just processing. We’re making progress. You’re responding to the modified protocol. You’re going to

live.”

“Was there ever any doubt?”

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