g my breath and shutting my eyes. I listened intently to the

clenched involuntarily,

ed her presence at my bedside, judging f

" she whispe

nless, offerin

der. Thankfully, I had braced my

ruly fast

rds with clarity. There was an unmistakable dis

Kalani was the one

d in an instant. Without a chance to react, I experienced a sharp

to display a pained expression, though I feign

resentment, and shock engulfed me. I

ght years, treating her like a sister. Yet,

f sharp pain. The piercing sensation vanished when I w

nflicted upon me. The intensity of the pain now made sense - its

, she resorted to slapping me. "Wak

alice, a stark contrast

, unable to fathom

cross the face did I realize I s

kly out the window, despondent and questioning in my heart. What had happened? H

ning its previous gentleness. "Mrs. Evans,

y. Slowly, I shifted and faced Kalani, stan

She asked softly, "Did you sleep well,

d her slight nervousness, the swallow, and her eventual glance away, I feigned sadness, sighing heavily. "

on't overthink it. Illnesses happen to everyone. Your body's been thr

antly sleepy, spending my days sleeping

ank me, Mrs. Eva

falls ill, weakness persists, and recovery takes time. I'll

nd glanced toward the door, I instinctively reached for the painf

ced a trace of bright re

ed it

cine. She handed me the bowl and said, "The

fted my hand to the spot where the needle had pierced. Then, looking up a