I squeezed my eyes shut, but even breathing hurt. A faint whimper slipped out before I could stop it.
My eyes snapped open.
“Ezra?” I murmured, pushing myself upright.
He was there—curled beside me, his small body trembling in his sleep. His face was scrunched up, lips quivering like he was trapped in something terrifying. Tear tracks clung to his lashes.
My chest tightened. “Baby…”
I reached for him—and froze.
His skin was scorching.
Not warm. Not feverish.
Burning.
“Ezra!” I gasped, panic slicing through me.
His fingers twitched weakly, his head shaking slightly as he cried without waking up. The sight shattered something inside me.
No. This wasn’t right. He had fallen sick before, but never like this. Never this hot.
I pulled him into my arms, my hands shaking uncontrollably. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Mommy’s here. I’ll get you medicine, just hold on…”
But his body went limp against me.
A scream clawed up my throat, but I swallowed it down.
I laid him gently on the bed, wrapped him tightly in a blanket, and ran.
My legs nearly gave out on the stairs, still heavy from last night, but I forced myself forward. The clinic wasn’t far—just a few buildings away. That was all I needed.
Get medicine. Get help. Nothing else mattered.
And then she stepped in front of me.
Mira.
That same soft smile. That same gentle face. The one I used to mistake for kindness.
“Move,” I snapped, trying to shove past her. “My son is sick. I need the clinic.”
She shifted slightly, blocking me again like it was nothing. “Sick?” she repeated lightly, glancing at her maids.
“Please,” I said, already losing patience. “I don’t have time for this.”
Instead of stepping aside, her lips curled. She pulled out her phone and typed something, then turned the screen toward me.
[Jump into the pond first.]
I froze.
“…What?”
She tilted her head as if I was slow. [Did you read it?]
A shaky laugh escaped me. “Are you serious right now? My child is burning up.”
She didn’t react. Just typed again.
[Jump.]
My throat went dry.
Behind her, two guards stepped forward, silently blocking the clinic doors.
“Mira…” My voice cracked. “Please. He needs help. Just let me pass.”
She only shrugged, like I was asking for something trivial. [Then jump.]
Something inside me twisted violently.
I wanted to scream. To drag her down. To make her understand what it felt like to be powerless.
But Ezra…
Ezra came first.
My jaw clenched so hard it hurt. “Fine.”