The Yakuza’s Mute Bride novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Chapter 72

The doctor spoke calmly, professionally, as though he were explaining an ordinary case rather than the shattered remains of my entire world.

Doctor Rui stood at the foot of Tadashi’s bed, his hands folded loosely in front of him, his tone measured and cautious. He explained the trajectory of each bullet with careful precision, yet throughout the entire explanation, Tadashi’s eyes never once left me.

Not even when the doctor described the shots.

Not even when pain flickered across his face.

Not even when the weight of his injuries was laid bare.

“Three gunshot wounds,” Doctor Rui said. “One round grazed the upper side of his head. It did not penetrate the skull, only caused a deep laceration, but the real damage came from the fall.”

My breath caught.

“He was descending the aircraft stairs when he was hit,” the doctor continued. “The impact caused him to lose balance. He fell several meters onto the tarmac.”

I could still see it in my mind even though I had not been there. His body striking the ground. The force. The helplessness of gravity. The violence of it.

“There was a significant blow to the head,” Doctor Rui added. “Combined with the shock of the shooting, it likely caused a temporary neurological disruption.”

Temporary.

I clung to that word like a lifeline.

“The second bullet lodged near the abdominal area,” he went on. “It narrowly missed vital organs, though there was internal bleeding that required immediate intervention.”

My fingers curled tightly into my palm.

“The third struck his left leg,” the doctor finished. “The damage was severe enough to immobilize him temporarily. However, Tadashi-sama is physically strong and otherwise healthy. With proper recovery, he should regain mobility.”

Should.

Every word felt like it balanced on the edge of a blade.

Doctor Rui hesitated then, something unspoken flickering in his eyes before he continued.

“Regarding his memory…” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “There is a possibility that the fall caused a concussion significant enough to impact recall. We will need to conduct further imaging to determine the extent of any trauma to the

brain.”

I stared at Tadashi.

I could not look away.

Because through all of it, through the explanation of bullets and blood and broken flesh, his gaze remained locked onto me.

Cold.

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Chapter 72

Evaluating.

As if I were a stranger who had wandered too close to something that belonged to him.

It hurt more than anything the doctor said.

More than the bullets.

More than the blood.

Please, God.

For everything you have taken from me and everything you have given me…

Please do not let him forget me.

1 M your nurs

Doctor Rui finished his explanation and bowed slightly, excusing himself with professional discretion. The door closed softly behind him, leaving only the steady beep of the monitor and the unbearable silence that followed.

The room now held only us.

Ota stood near the wall with Gio, his weight supported by his crutch, his expression strained but attentive. Ai hovered close, her hands clenched together in front of her chest. Yukito stood rigid near the door, his posture tense, ready for anything.

And Tadashi-

Tadashi shifted slightly in the bed, discomfort etched across his features, before letting out a slow, irritated breath.

“So,” he said, his voice low and rough. “Tell me again.”

My heart stuttered.

“Who is this woman?”

The question fell like a blade.

Before I could reach for my phone, before I could steady my trembling hands, Yukito spoke.

“Naomi,” he said firmly. “She is your woman, Tadashi-sama.”

The temperature in the room dropped instantly.

Tadashi’s gaze snapped to Yukito with frightening speed.

“Did I give you permission to speak?” he asked coldly. “Or have you decided to become her voice?”

I had never heard him speak like that.

Not to Yukito.

Not to anyone.

My chest tightened painfully as I hurriedly unlocked my phone, my fingers shaking as I typed.

“I am mute, Tadashi,” the device spoke softly. “That is why Yukito spoke for me.”

He turned his gaze back to me slowly.

Disgust flashed across his face.

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Chapter 72

“Mute?” he repeated, the word dripping with disbelief. “How could I claim a mute woman as mine?”

The words struck deep.

Deeper than the elders’ insults.

Deeper than Reiko’s venom.

“Are you a witch?” he continued, his voice sharp, suspicious. “Did you enchant me somehow?”

I felt something tear inside my chest.

I wanted to cry.

I wanted to scream.

But I did neither.

Because this-

This was not him.

This was not the Tadashi who had held my hands like something sacred.

This was not the man who had begged me to wait for him.

This was not the man who had loved me.

“Tadashi-sama,” Ai whispered urgently, stepping forward.

Ota moved at the same time, his expression dark. “That is enough-”

Tadashi raised his hand sharply.

“Enough,” he ordered. “Leave.”

The command rang through the room with finality.

No one moved at first.

Then slowly, reluctantly, Ota turned toward the door. Gio followed without a word. Ai hesitated, tears shining in her eyes, before bowing and stepping back.

Only she and Yukito remained.

Tadashi’s eyes flicked between them.

“And why are you still here?” he demanded. “Leave.”

Ai bowed deeply and retreated, unable to hold herself together any longer.

Yukito did not move.

“You have something to say?” Tadashi sneered. “Or have you forgotten your place too?”

Yukito met his gaze without flinching.

“I only hope,” he said evenly, “that you do not say something you will regret, Tadashi-sama,”

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Chapter 72

Shock flickered across Tadashi’s face.

“You speak to me like this,” he said slowly, dangerously, “because of her?”

Yukito nodded once.

“You were the one who gave the order,” he replied. “You commanded me to protect her at all costs. Even from yourself. I am only obeying you.”

The air between them grew thick with tension.

Neither spoke.

Neither looked away.

I reached out gently and touched Yukito’s arm.

He turned to me, surprise softening his expression.

I smiled at him.

A small, grateful smile.

He exhaled slowly, as though releasing something he had been holding too tightly, then bowed his head and turned toward the door.

As he left, the room fell silent once more.

Only Tadashi and I remained.

And though his body was there, though his heart still beat steadily beneath the machines, the man I loved was farther away than he had ever been.

I stood there, alone with him, holding onto hope with bleeding hands.

Because even if he had forgotten me-I had not forgotten him.

And I would not give up. Not now. Not ever.

AD

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12:56 Mon, Jan 12 TOG