Chapter 144: Lies, Loyalty, and Looming Threats

The weight of silence hung heavy in the sterile confines of Mariana's room. The rhythmic hum of the medical equipment served as a constant reminder of her fragility, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy she usually exuded. Tiago, a sentinel by her bedside, couldn't tear his gaze away from the peaceful rise and fall of her chest. Each shallow breath seemed to echo in the room, a testament to the battle raging within her. He turned towards Conrad, his voice barely a whisper, "Is there anything else we can do?" The question hung in the air, laced with a desperate hope for a solution that didn't exist. "Can't we… can't we remove the rest of the drug from her system somehow?" Conrad, ever the pragmatist, met his gaze with a solemn expression. "Unfortunately, no, Tiago. Not at this stage. The drug is designed for a controlled release. The word felt like a bitter pill on his tongue. "What about the long-term effects? What happens when it wears off completely?" Conrad sighed, a deep r