You Hit My Heart by Kylie Stanford

Luther held her tightly. "I didn't want to hide it from you. There's no point in keeping it from you. | just haven't confirmed it yet. The

person | just talked to was Dr. Jocelyn. Yes, it seems like my sense of taste is having sissues."

"What kind of issues exactly?" Joyce looked up from his embrace, a hint of nervousness in her eyes. "Has your sense of taste

disappeared?"

"It hasn't completely disappeared, | can still taste a bit," Luther explained. "It didn't happen overnight, it has been fading slowly for

a few days. Until today, it suddenly diminished a lot. | suspect it might completely disappear in a couple of days."

"Why though? Did Dr. Jocelyn explain?" Joyce bit her lip, feeling at a loss.

Luther shook his head. "She mentioned that from the last tshe drew my blood, although the toxins seemed to have been

cleared on the surface, they are actually striking back. The loss of taste is one of the side effects."

"Does she have a solution?" Joyce's eyes welled up. Just now she held hope, now she was beginning to feel despair little by little.

"There's no good solution for now, we can only take it step by step," Luther shook his head, trying to console her. "Talking out here

will raise the children's suspicions. Let's go inside. This situation is as it is now, it's not something we can control. It's better to wait

for the results."

His hand slipped up, holding her waist. Trying to lead her inside.

Joyce couldn't hold back her tears, a crystal droplet slid from her eye.

"Don't. If I go inside like this now, I'll be easily found out by them. Lethave a moment."

She took a deep breath, lifted her head, trying desperately to stop her tears from falling.

"Don't cry," Luther raised a hand, gently brushing away the glistening tears from her eyes. "In my heart, you will always be so

strong, even without me, you can..."

Joyce hastily covered his thin lips with her hand.

"What do you mean? Did Dr. Jocelyn say there's no hope? | don't want to hear you say such things."

Luther didn't speak, just furrowed his brows.

Joyce let go of his hand. "I can't be without you. The children can't be without their father. If something happens to you, | will never

forgive you in this life or the next."

A pang struck Luther's heart, her words filled with sorrow and anger infected him.

"Dr. Jocelyn didn't say it's hopeless, only if we find the original code of the microbe. That's the only way to detoxify," he tried to

sound light-hearted. "I wanted to say what | just said earlier, you didn't letfinish. | wanted to say, even without me, you are the

most radiant presence in this world. | will love you forever."

Joyce tightened her grip on his arms, exerting more force.

She gritted her teeth, "I understand. We rejoiced too soon before. Fortunately, | haven't given up on finding the original code of the

microbe. I've been searching all this time, everything left behind related to Otis and the military research team. We still have time.

I will find a way."

All of this, the poison he was afflicted with, was all because of her. She couldn't give up, and shouldn't blhim. She absolutely

must find a solution. Even if the sky were to fall, it wouldn't crush her.

"For now, | believe in you," Luther managed a smile.

Joyce looked up, wiped away the tears from her cheeks.

"Let's go inside. Standing out here too long will raise suspicions. Especially since the children have no idea about this. I'll continue

searching now."

With that, she took Luther's hand and walked towards the living room.

Just as they entered the living room.

Alisha caught sight of them holding hands, she pouted, "Dad and Mom are so old but still want to hold hands. So shy."

Anderson tapped Alisha, "Mind your own business."

Alisha wasn't angry, instead, she hugged Anderson, "Big brother, let's hug."

Anderson pushed away Alisha's octopus-like grasp forcefully, "I said it's fine at home, but at school tomorrow you can't do this."

Alisha asked in dissatisfaction, "Why? | want to hug with my big brother."

"It's different at school, everyone at school has to be mindful of their own words and actions. Especially girls, don't get too close to

other boys. And don't let other boys touch you casually," Anderson said seriously.

Luther chuckled, "Don't scare her, Anderson. They are just kids."

"Who says!" Anderson jumped up, "Kids these days are smart. Don't use your old thoughts from back then to measure today's kids.

They intentionally try to take advantage."

He pointed at Alisha, "Listen, you absolutely cannot let any boy touch any part of your body. Got it?"

Luther, "..."

"Okay," Alisha nodded, then ran to Joyce's side and hugged her, "Mommy, will you play with me?"

Though still feeling heavy-hearted, Joyce concealed her emotions.

She caressed Alisha's back, "Alisha, be good. Will Dad play with you? Mommy still has sthings to take care of. It will be late, so

you both have to go to sleep on your own, okay?"

"Okay!" Alisha clapped happily, "But mommy, | wanted to check if everything for tomorrow is prepared. Can you helplook?"

At this moment, Luther took Alisha away, "Dad will help you look. Mom has things to do, let her be."

"Alright." Alisha agreed and then threw herself into Luther's arms, "Dad, will you play with me?"

"Sure." Luther lifted Alisha into his arms, holding her close. A feeling of cherishing arose naturally. He dared not say it out loud after

all, Dr. Jocelyn confessed he had less than a month left. If it was true, he had to cherish every minute and second left now.

Joyce took a glance at the harmonious scene of her family behind her.

Suddenly, she turned around, unable to look anymore. Although he didn't say it directly, she could feel that twas running out.

She quickly sped back to the study in front of her computer. Even if there was only 1% hope, she would give 100% effort.

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