Read Novel Full Chapter 417: Jay’s Fear
Chapter 417: Chapter 417: Jay’s Fear
Ember looked at Jay quietly, waiting for him to continue. The dim light in the room cast faint shadows across his face, making his already pale expression look even more strained.
Jay swallowed and took a slow breath. "It wasn’t exactly an antidote," he admitted. "It was something between poison and cure. More like... a test."
Ember’s brows knit together.
"My body was being tested," Jay continued, his voice steady but low. "It was checking whether I was fit to resist the virus. The moment I touched it, my cells started multiplying... cells that could fight the infection."
He clenched his fingers unconsciously.
"At the same time, the virus tried to take over. For a while, it was a stalemate. Then... my cells adapted. They stabilized and multiplied faster than the virus."
Ember listened intently, her chest tightening.
"But the virus hasn’t completely disappeared," Jay added softly. "It still surfaced on my skin, like those blotches. Almost as if my body was... testing the waters. If it wins this time, maybe next time it can handle the zombie virus even better."
He lifted his eyes to her. "I’m already better now."
Ember stared at him for a moment, confusion flickering in her gaze before fear overwhelmed it. Her voice turned sharp, trembling with restrained anger.
"Even if that’s true," she said firmly, "it doesn’t give you the right to put your body in danger like this."
Jay flinched slightly.
"You need to promise me," Ember continued, her fists clenched tightly, "that you won’t put yourself in danger again. Ever."
Jay heard the tremor in her voice. He knew she was genuinely terrified. He nodded immediately.
"I promise," he said without hesitation.
Only then did Ember relax a little. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him carefully.
"If you dare break that promise," she whispered, "I’ll personally take care of you."
Jay let out a quiet laugh and hugged her back. "I’ve been waiting for you to take care of me."
She pulled back slightly, her expression suddenly serious. "Jay... I want to get married."
The words hit him like a shockwave. He froze. "W-Why now?" he blurted out. "But I haven’t..."
Ember cut him off, her eyes blazing. "I just want a ring," she said stubbornly. "I want to fulfill my wish. You promised you’d take care of me, and now you’re backing out?"
Her voice wavered. "Do you have no shame, or did you find someone better than me?"
Jay immediately pulled her into his arms. "There’s no one else," he swore urgently. "There will never be anyone else."
Ember looked up at him. "If you ever decide you can like someone else," she said quietly, "then I’ll find someone else too."
Jay hugged her tighter. "I swear. I swear it’s only you."
Only then did Ember finally relax.
Jay hesitated, then spoke again. "But I made some promises to Ivy..."
"I know," Ember interrupted softly. "She already told me everything."
Jay blinked, stunned.
Ember lowered her gaze. "If you really turn into a zombie someday... then I think I’ll have the right to follow you."
The words pierced Jay’s heart. He remembered how, when his family gained power in the past, they had forced Ember away from him.
Even now, she wasn’t thinking of abandoning him. She was thinking of staying.
’What good deed did I do in my past life?’ he wondered bitterly. ’To deserve someone like her?’
He hugged her tightly. "We’ll get married," he agreed. "But not now. I still need to finish some research."
Ember’s eyes filled with fear. "I’m scared," she admitted. "I don’t want to lose you."
She remembered what Ivy had told her about their past life too well. She was afraid destiny would repeat itself. Afraid that this life would also end in tragedy.
She hugged him harder, clinging to him as if he might disappear.
Jay, however, felt his body heating up unnaturally. With Ember pressed so close, the sensations spiraled out of control. He took a deep breath and muffled a groan, forcing himself to roll away slightly.
"It’s better if you sleep now," he said hoarsely. "Your emotions will calm down after rest."
Ember was about to argue, but Jay spoke again, exhaustion heavy in his voice. "I haven’t slept for five days."
She sighed, knowing he was half talking nonsense, yet still lay down beside him. Gently, she patted his back. Soon, Jay drifted into sleep.
When he opened his eyes again, everything was different.
He was standing in a deserted place. Cold air brushed against his skin, carrying the scent of rust and decay.
"Ember?"
He turned sharply at the sound of her voice. Ember stood there, along with Ivy, Felix, Helena, and Victor. They looked exhausted, hunted, as if danger lurked everywhere.
Jay realized they were inside an abandoned factory.
He moved toward them, but before he could speak, Helena, Victor, and Felix walked away, leaving only Ember and Ivy behind.
Ember’s entire attention was focused on Ivy. Ivy looked strange... lighter, almost as if she might float away at any moment.
Jay watched in confusion as Ember handed Ivy an energy drink. Ivy tried to refuse, shaking her head, but Ember insisted.
Once Ivy consumed it, Jay gasped. He could see it... unique wavelengths radiating from Ivy’s body, visible only to him.
His heart skipped violently as zombies began rushing toward Ivy.
"Ember!" he shouted.
Ember dragged Ivy into hiding, but the zombies quickly found them. Without hesitation, Ember threw herself in front of Ivy, shielding her.
Jay screamed helplessly as Ember was bitten.
"No!"
His voice carried no weight. Ember continued protecting Ivy even as her body began to change. The wavelengths around Ivy slowly faded.
Jay watched, terrified, as Ember transformed into a half-zombie and deliberately moved away from Ivy, making sure she could never harm her.
Blind Ivy from the past life stumbled around desperately, calling out for Ember. The sight shattered Jay’s heart.
One woman he loved was turning into a monster. The other, helpless and blind, searched in despair.
Jay ran toward Ember, trying to hug her. "It’ll be okay," he cried.