Jade was lying weakly on his bed, his breaths shallow and uneven, as if each one required tremendous effort.
His mother sat beside him, her hands trembling slightly while she continuously wiped his forehead with a damp cloth.
Her worry was almost palpable, filling the entire room like a suffocating fog.
Nearby, General Frank stood stiffly, arms crossed, yet the deep crease between his brows betrayed his calm façade.
He, too, was terrified...terrified that his only son might slip away at any moment. Jade's condition made him look as though he was already standing on the threshold between life and death.
Jade's gaze moved slowly to his parents. His deep blue hair shimmered faintly under the sunlight that filtered through the curtains, making him appear even more fragile.
Despite the weakness weighing down every part of his body, he managed a faint, reassuring smile.
"I'm not going to die anytime soon. You don't need to worry," he murmured.
