Chapter 1689: A Risk He Had to Take

Madilyn's voice trembled. "The poison is acting up again, and this time, it's far more violent."

Lucian's grip tightened. "Why is this happening?" He had witnessed the poison's previous flare-ups, but Madilyn insisted this was worse. The woman in his arms was clearly in agony, shivering despite his embrace, her face ghastly pale.

"Roxanne..." Lucian's voice was strained, a flicker of panic in his eyes. "I brought the antidote. Why isn't it working?" He looked to the specialists gathered by the hospital bed.

They exchanged glances.

After a moment, Madilyn gritted her teeth. "The poison flares up around midnight, and it's already the third day." The realization that waiting until morning might be too late sent a wave of fear through Lucian.

A steely glint appeared in Madilyn's eyes. "We must get Roxanne to take the antidote immediately. She has no choice but to endure the pain." She knew Roxanne's suffering, but there was no alternative.

"What must I do?" Lucian felt helpless, consumed by self-reproach.

Madilyn leaned closer, aiming the flask at Roxanne's mouth. "Hold her still. Don't let her fight it."

Lucian grunted, his gaze fixed on the woman in his arms, restraining her limbs as Madilyn attempted to administer the antidote. However, Roxanne's excruciating pain caused her to reflexively resist, clamping her jaw shut. After two unsuccessful attempts, Madilyn stopped, the flask mostly full.

"What's wrong?" Lucian's anxiety grew.

Madilyn's expression was grave. "Roxanne is rejecting the antidote. I can't get her to take it."

Lucian's eyes darkened. "Is there no other way to administer it?"

Madilyn shook her head. "The antidote's concentration is too high for injection; it must be taken orally..." She anxiously glanced at her friend.

Lucian reached for the antidote. "Give it to me!"

Madilyn hesitated, frowning and withdrawing her hand. "We don't know the antidote's composition. What if it harms us?" Jack's traditional medicine was of uncertain origin; there was no guarantee it wouldn't cause further damage.

But Lucian had already moved Roxanne to the bed and stood before Madilyn. "It's a risk I have to take! Give it to me!" he demanded.

Madilyn's gaze flickered, then she handed him the antidote, witnessing Roxanne's torment. Without hesitation, Lucian poured the remaining antidote into his own mouth, then cradled Roxanne, pinching her cheek to open her mouth before pressing his lips to hers.