After the examination, the reason for his headache was determined to be intracranial pressure caused by an unhealed brain injury, requiring long-term medication for recovery.
Mark Reed lay lifelessly on the hospital bed, hooked up to an IV, breathing heavily, and looking utterly worn out.
An exhausted Valentine Teller sat by the bedside, quietly accompanying him. Nian Nian was already curled up on the caregiver's bed, sound asleep, with dried tear marks on his face.
The room was so quiet that only the sound of the air conditioning could be heard.
Valentine occasionally took a cotton swab to moisten Mark Reed's chapped lips.
He seemed to be having a nightmare, his brow furrowed, expression grave, eyes darting beneath his eyelids.
Sounds escaped his throat, and Valentine had to lean in close to hear clearly—he was calling out, "Valentine... Valentine..."
"I'm here." She nestled close to him, cheek to cheek, murmuring softly, "Mark, I'm here..."
