He Stole My Sixty Years Of Hard Won Lifespan Chapter 02

He Stole My Sixty Years Of Hard Won Lifespan Chapter 02

Cold sweat broke out across my skin.

Even breathing hurt.

Evan frowned and reached for me, his voice carrying that familiar note of helpless patience.

“Your wounds acting up again? I told you not to move around so much after getting out of the hospital…”

“Evan…”

Lena’s weak voice cut through the room.

“I feel dizzy.”

The second she spoke, Evan turned and rushed back to her side.

He pressed a hand to her forehead, worry written all over his face.

“What’s wrong? Do you need a doctor?”

She shook her head.

“No. Just stay with me.”

Lena tugged on his sleeve and leaned into his chest.

“I don’t want you guys fighting because of me.”

“Don’t be silly.”

Evan wrapped an arm around her.

“We’re not fighting.”

Then he scooped her up into his arms.

As he passed me, he spoke in the same tone someone would use to calm a stubborn child.

“Mira, sit down and have some hot water.”

“When she falls asleep, we’ll talk.”

Mrs. Pierce followed behind them.

As she walked past me, she rolled her eyes.

“So petty.”

“Pretending to be sick. Aren’t you embarrassed?”

The pain in my chest kept getting worse.

I doubled over.

My gaze dropped to the lifespan display on my wrist.

The sixty years I’d spent eight years earning were gone.

In their place was a flashing red countdown.

*****

“Ms. Shaw, the situation isn’t looking good.”

At the hospital, Dr. Hartley slid a report across the desk.

“The High-Risk Tasks you’ve completed granted more than lifespan. They came with powerful passive healing and protection boosts.”

“Those sixty years acted like armor.”

“They’ve been suppressing and repairing the injuries you’ve accumulated over the years.”

He tapped the report.

“Now that armor has been stripped away, the hundred-plus injuries scattered throughout your body have all lost that protection.”

“They’re all flaring up at once.”

The report was covered in red markers.

“The worst damage comes from the cliff fall three years ago.”

“There are still hairline fractures in your spine and multiple bones.”

“Now they’re deteriorating rapidly.”

My fingers turned cold.

I stared at the report.

“How long do I have left?”

Dr. Hartley was silent for a long moment.

When he finally spoke, his voice was heavy.

“If you don’t get your lifespan back…”

“With your body’s natural condition, two weeks. At most.”

My throat tightened.

“Isn’t there any other way?”

“There is.”

He looked directly at me.

“You need to recover at least ten years of High-Risk Task lifespan as soon as possible.”

“That’s the minimum needed to stop your body from breaking down.”

“Otherwise, nobody can save you.”

*****

By the time I left the hospital, it was already dark.

My body felt heavier with every step.

I dragged myself back to the house I’d shared with Evan for five years.

The lights were on.

Evan was waiting on the couch.

The moment he saw me, he picked up an elegant gift box and handed it over.

“Still mad?”

“I bought that limited-edition designer bag you’ve been wanting.”

“Consider it my apology.”

I really had wanted it once.

Now it just felt like a joke.

“I don’t want a bag.”

I pushed it away.

Then I looked him straight in the eye.

“Evan.”

“Give me my lifespan back.”

He frowned.

Then he laughed softly and reached for my hair.

“Still upset?”

“I should’ve told you beforehand yesterday—”

“I’m not upset.”

I stepped away from his hand.

Pain made my voice shake.

“The doctor said my old injuries are rebounding.”

“I’ve got two weeks left.”

Evan looked at me as if I’d told him the world’s worst joke.

Then he sighed and shook his head.

“Mira.”

“You survived being buried alive for three days.”

“You don’t have to say something like that just because you’re mad at me.”