The Yakuza’s Mute Bride novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66

Chapter 66

The doctor approached cautiously, clutching a folder so tightly that the edges bent under his fingers.

His eyes flickered between me and Tadashi, and I could see the calculation behind them-how to deliver news that mattered to a girl who could not speak without pain, while the most dangerous man in London hovered two breaths away.

“Miss Hunter,” he began, bowing slightly. “We have your full results.”

Tadashi’s hand tightened around mine.

The room fell completely silent.

Even Yukito and Ota who normally stood like statues shifted subtly closer, as though the words about to leave the doctor’s mouth were as fragile-and as explosive-as glass set over fire.

The doctor cleared his throat.

“The surgery went well. Very well, in fact. The damage done years ago was less severe than we initially feared. We were able to reconstruct the scar tissue and improve the vocal fold vibration pathway. However-”

Tadashi stiffened.

The doctor swallowed. “Your recovery will be delicate. Very delicate.”

He opened the folder with trembling fingers and continued in a measured tone.

“Recovery time after vocal cord surgery varies, depending on the severity of the initial injury and patient compliance.” His gaze flickered toward Tadashi, as if silently begging the man to help ensure I obey the instructions.

Tadashi nodded once, sharply.

The doctor exhaled and continued. “Phase one: Complete voice rest.”

He raised one finger.

“For three to fourteen days, you must not use your voice at all. No talking. No whispering. No humming. Nothing. It is the most critical period for preventing scarring.”

Tadashi turned to me immediately, cupping my cheek as if the doctor had given him a holy command carved into stone.

“You will rest,” he said firmly. “I mean it, Naomi.”

I nodded, already feeling my throat throb in agreement.

“Phase two: Early tissue healing. Two to four weeks,” the doctor continued. “The surgical site will begin to heal. You may feel hoarseness or weakness in your voice when you attempt small sounds. This is normal.”

I nodded slowly, absorbing each detail.

“Phase three: Functional recovery with therapy. Four to eight weeks after surgery, you will begin voice therapy. Carefully guided sessions with a specialist. Your voice will gradually gain strength again.”

I blinked. It felt surreal-having a future where my voice might not hurt.

“Phase four: Near-full recovery. Two to three months is typical for surgeries like yours. Many patients regain normal speaking ability within that period.”

Mon,

Chapter 66

My breath hitched.

Normal. Speaking normally. A life I had never imagined.

Tadashi’s thumb traced the line of my knuckles, slowly, reverently.

“And lastly-complex recovery cases.”

The doctor hesitated here.

61

165 vouch THE

“If scarring was deeper than expected or if therapy is inconsistent, it may take three to six months to regain full strength. But in your case-” he smiled gently “-we believe your recovery will fall within the earlier timeline.”

“Twelve weeks,” Tadashi murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. “Twelve weeks until she can speak without pain.”

The doctor nodded.

“If all goes well.”

Tadashi nodded once in return, decisive and absolute-like a general accepting terms of battle.

“Everything will go well,” he said. “I will make sure of it.”

The doctor bowed deeply and stepped back, clearly relieved the news had been received without bloodshed.

Yukito, who had entered quietly earlier, exchanged a look with Ota-both men exhaled softly. They knew Tadashi would take every instruction as law carved into steel. And they also knew that I would now be guarded even more fiercely.

The doctor adjusted the pain drip at my bedside and repeated the post-operative instructions one final time, directing them more toward Tadashi, Ai, and Yuka than to me.

“Do not allow her to strain her voice. Not even whispers. She must avoid coughing as much as possible. Hydration is essential. Minimal movement until the dizziness fades.”

Yuka nodded seriously as she scribbled notes on a pad.

Ai clasped her hands, visibly emotional, as though she had been waiting her entire life for someone to care about me this deeply.

When the doctor finally left, Tadashi sat beside me again, taking my hand into his warm grasp.

For a moment, he said nothing.

He simply looked at me.

His eyes were softer now, filled with something infinitely tender, something that spread through the room like sunlight breaking through clouds.

He brushed his thumb across my cheek and whispered, “You will speak without pain again. You will laugh freely. You will

my name with your own voice. I will wait for that day.”

call

His voice trembled.

His forehead lowered to my palm.

And for the first time, I saw Tadashi Masayoshi allow himself to be vulnerable-not from fear, not from anger, but from overwhelming relief.

He placed a kiss on my forehead, lingering just enough for my heart to tighten.

12:55 Mon, Jan 12

Chapter 66

“I will bring your tea,” he whispered.

I opened my mouth instinctively, forgetting the restriction, and he gently placed a finger on my lips.

“No,” he murmured. “Three days. No voice. You will not risk undoing what you fought for.”

I nodded slowly.

His gaze softened once more before he stood, smoothing my hair with a tenderness that made my chest ache.

61

I rested my head back on the silk pillows, swallowing gingerly as the last of the pain medication eased the sharpest edge of discomfort.

The room smelled of warm linen, faint lavender, and Tadashi’s cologne-soothing in a way nothing else could be.

My body felt heavy, exhausted, but safe.

Truly safe.

Yuka checked the monitor and adjusted the humidifier beside the bed.

“Please relax, Naomi-san,” she said gently. “Everything has gone well. You will be yourself again soon. Tadashi-sama has already arranged the best therapist in the country to work with you when the time is right.”

Ai set a glass of water by my bedside and smiled warmly. “We will take care of everything. All you need to do is rest and recover.”

I nodded with gratitude.

As I shifted slightly under the blanket, a distant door opened, and I heard Tadashi’s steps returning-steady, strong, unmistakable.

My heart fluttered.

Because even after all the pain, all the danger, all the chaos… I knew one truth more deeply than anything else: I was not alone anymore.

I believed my voice-my future-might truly belong to me.

AD

Comment

Send gift

No Ads

12:55 Mon, Jan 12