Lazily Yours.

Obviously, Gabi was unaware of the ruckus that her upcoming arrival caused in Xu Country. Right now, she was lying on the surgical bed, waiting for Aden to start the process. Aden told her that the process can be very painful but she had to stay awake. Since this is the first time that a nanotube will be used to patch up a heart, they weren't sure what would happen if she fell asleep.

As long as she persevered, then the nanoparticles could successfully latch into her heart. After that, she will be sedated for the next twenty-four hours, where they will observe the beating of her heart. Aside from the nanocarbon that will be used, Aden wasn't planning on using anything else.

Which was currently almost impossible, according to Gabi's research.

Still, Aden assured her that he had been studying this topic since he was a child.

Gabi recalled that conversation with him. At that time, Aden told her a story.

"When I was a child… I was saved by someone." Aden said, his gaze melancholic. "She died," he added. "She had a problem in her heart. She couldn't run long distances or run that fast. She looked really pale, like a small little fragile doll."

"I'm so sorry to hear that," Gabi said.

He shrugged. "Life is like that. Anyway, because of that incident, I started studying stuff that could heal someone's heart. It is a really complicated process, but I did it."

She wanted to ask how that little girl saved him, but thought that maybe Aden didn't want to be reminded of the things from the past. So, she chose to keep her silence.

"The possibility is high that once we succeeded, your memories will become sharper, your body would naturally undergo some changes too." Aden stopped talking about his past and soon started talking about specifics.

At that time, Gabi thought she wouldn't be nervous at all. He sounded too intelligent, too confident. And at some point, his confidence seemed to affect her. But lying on the surgical table is a different thing.

She couldn't stop her heart from racing. Good thing she already told Aden about the letter in her bag. In case she won't wake up, she asked him to read the letter. It contained everything about Alfons. Of course, her last will and testament have been prepared. It was her priority.

After all, she wouldn't want her wealth to fall into Alfons' hands. While thinking about this, Gabi didn't notice the gas that was released near her head. The moment she inhaled it, her breathing turned steady, calm. It didn't take too long before her gaze turned hazy.

This was the state that Aden was waiting for. Gabi wasn't really asleep or completely awake. While she was in this state, her senses weren't dulled. Meaning, she could still feel and hear everything around her.

It didn't take too long for Gabi to feel a little tingle in her left arm.

Then the pain started.

Just as Aden said, the pain was almost unbearable. It reminded her of when Alfons slowly removed her nails. She gritted her teeth and sweat started to drench her back. She thought she heard Aden's voice telling her to persevere.

She grunted and cursed inwardly as memories of the past swirled in her head. It gave her another set of motivation to survive.

She would never die.

She survived under Alfons' torture. She survived when Alfons remove her nails. She survived when he asked his people to use a handsaw to cut her toes. She survived.

Why would she die now?

No…

She would fight.

She would never allow this pain to win.

Yet, there were no signs of the pain going away. In fact, it multiplied, it intensified. It felt like every bone in her body is breaking. From her toes to her head, everything inside her felt like it had been lit on fire. She could feel hear muscles tear and get healed. The pain exploded in her head.

Gabi wanted to shout, yell. But she couldn't. Even her throat felt like a knife was lodged inside her mouth, preventing her from saying anything. Memories of the past once again filled her brain. Memories of the pain. Memories of her genuine happiness. Memories of Luca.

His smiling face, his voice, his giggles.

The way he called her mommy.

The way he used to watch the stars from the small telescope that she bought for him.

He was her Luca.

Soon, she felt her body vibrate. But it wasn't from the pain of the particles inside her body. It was from the memory of Luca's death.

Who would want to watch their own blood killed in front of them?

Not her.

Definitely not her.

"No," she mumbled. The memories of her son keep on coming inside her head. It was as if she was watching him die over and over and over again. She tried to reach out, move her arms and touch Luca, but her body wasn't listening to her. A searing pain shot through her spine. Beads of tears and sweat were apparent on her face. "No!" she yelled. "Not him!" She could save Luca. The memories were so clear, it looked like it was happening all over again. It was as if she had gone back in time.

[She is undergoing shock. Proceed to Emergency Protocol]

[Her heart is getting weaker. Emergency Protocol level three starting in… three… two… one…]

[Vitals are erratic.]

[Permission to stop the treatment?]

"No." Aden frowned. "She was fighting a battle." It wasn't the Nanoparticles. It was a battle inside her head. "Continue the treatment." Years ago, when Gabi saved him. She fainted, her heart stopped. She was lucky, Aden knew CPR and knew some basic first aides. Because of this, he was able to save little Gabrielle. However, when she woke up, she already lost that memory of him. Her gaze was blank, she felt like a blank canvas. The doctor said this must be because of her traumatic experience before she found him.

Until now, Aden didn't know what happened that day. He didn't know why would someone her age would suddenly walk into a forest. And until now, he didn't know what happened before they found each other in that place. There is a possibility that the memory that suddenly resurfaced while she was in pain was the same memory that traumatized her years ago. "Only she can fight this battle. Complete the treatment!" he added.