Beyond The Fine Line

Chapter XL - Expected and Unexpected Confrontation

The rain had ceased, leaving droplets clinging to the floor-to-ceiling windows and creating a dream-like view of the city. The river below mirrored the lights from the skyscrapers, creating a mosaic of colours that flickered and shifted. It was breathtaking. Yet, inside, the living room was shrouded in a tense stillness. Even its sophisticated elegance felt oppressive, as if the beauty outside only served to highlight the charged silence within.

Even Win couldn't find a way to disperse the tension and couldn't be more relieved when the doctor arrived. He met him several times while visiting Tay and always found his presence comforting. But this time, as soon as the doctor looked at Sean, his expression grew stern.

"When did you say he got injured?"

"Over three hours ago," Fort replied, understanding his concern. "Shortly after, he was exposed to... heavily polluted water."

The doctor removed the wound dressing, and his frown deepened. "It needs stitches, but that doesn't explain the rapid onset of fever. He should be in the hospital."

Win and Fort exchanged worried glances, realising hit them that the injury and polluted water were just the tipping points. Sean had been running himself ragged for weeks, juggling an internship, a night job at Wong's, and their group's activities.

"He's been exhausted for a while now," Jay explained so calmly that Win felt a nasty chill running down his back. "Barely sleeping, constantly on the move, stressed."

The doctor shook his head with resignation. "I won't ask for your reasons to keep this private, but I must insist on taking him to the hospital with me. Prolonged stress and exhaustion have severely compromised his immune system, which is why the infection set in so quickly. At this point, it's impossible to predict how it may escalate."

Win paled, knowing how out of their means even one night at Bumrungrad Hospital was. It was simply impossible, and forcing it on Jay was beyond low. But mostly, he couldn't bear to see another friend in a hospital bed because of their missions. It was so easy to talk about taking risks, but now? None of this was easy. They should have never ignored how tired Sean looked recently or the concern in Jay's eyes... the same eyes that were so indifferent now, it scared him.

"Can you arrange a private room and keep details under wraps?"

The doctor nodded at Jay. "We will take the same precautions as with your brother to ensure his safety. You have nothing to worry about."

Win wanted to say something, but Fort gently squeezed his shoulder and stopped him, feeling like they had already meddled too much. Besides, Sean was safe with Jay.

The room was dim, lit only by the soft light of the floor lamp in the corner beside the armchair, positioned just a few feet from the bed. Jay was sitting with his laptop open but untouched as his eyes were fixated on Sean, whose breathing was steady yet shallow.

Jay's usual emotional detachment was slipping through his fingers. The professional façade he wore like armour couldn't shield him from the raw, aching fear that gripped him. He tried to focus on work, to lose himself in the familiar tasks that usually brought him comfort, but it seemed meaningless in the face of gnawing fear of losing Sean. The pain that followed was too sharp to ignore, cutting through his usual calm.

It was the first time he truly understood the depth of his feelings for Sean. This wasn't just about being angry or betrayed – it was about a profound, almost unbearable love that had taken root and grown in ways he hadn't fully realised until now. The thought of losing Sean was excruciating. It wasn't just fear but a visceral realisation that he couldn't bear to live without him.