Chapter 813: Sick
Lily woke up shivering. Her gaze drifted to the ceiling as she snuggled deeper into the blankets. She didn’t want to get out of bed. It wasn’t just her horrid mood weighing her down, but the deep, dull ache spreading through her limbs, the kind that hinted at the onset of a fever. Her body felt chilled, even wrapped in the cocoon of blankets, and the mere thought of moving seemed unbearable.
The last two days had been agonizing for her. Cai’s coldness was suffocating, the way he completely ignored her, as if she were invisible. Living in this oppressive silence had made every moment feel heavier, darker. She had wanted to apologize, to bridge the gap between them, but he’d shut her out so completely, treating her like she was nothing more than an annoying, buzzing mosquito, too insignificant to even swat away.d to apologize but he had ignored her as if she were nothing but a buzzing mosquito.
With a weary sigh, she closed her eyes and glanced blearily around the room. Since she was already invisible to him, she might as well embrace it. There was no reason to get up today, no reason to face his indifference. She would stay in bed, let the world pass by without her, and maybe later, if she found the strength, she’d get up to make something simple for herself. But for now, the blankets were her refuge, and she wasn’t ready to leave their warmth just yet.
Cai sat on the couch, the medical journal in his hand barely registering as he stared at the closed bedroom door. His fingers absently flipped a page, but his eyes were locked on the door as if, by sheer will, it would turn transparent, revealing Lily inside. He shifted in his seat, adjusting his posture, trying to shake the nagging feeling creeping up on him. She hadn’t come out since this morning.
He frowned, closing the journal with a snap and tossing it onto the coffee table. His gaze lingered on the door, and his jaw clenched as he leaned back against the cushions. What’s she doing in there? he wondered. The silence worried him. She should have come out to eat something at the very least.
His fingers tapped against the arm of the couch before he finally pushed himself up and marched to her door. Standing in front of the door, however, he hesitated, hand hovering over the knob, listening for any sign of movement. Nothing. Finally, he knocked. But there was no answer.
"Lily?" He waited, his ear straining for even the smallest sound. When there was no reply, he knocked again, louder this time. "Are you okay?"
Still no response. His brow furrowed. He turned the knob slowly, pushing the door open just a crack, peeking inside.
Lily was curled up under a mountain of blankets, barely a lump on the bed. Her eyes were closed, and even in sleep, there was a heaviness to her breathing that sounded not normal.
"Lily?" His voice softened as he stepped into the room, and moved to stand beside the bed. Her face was all red. He leaned down and checked her forehead. Her skin felt warm—too warm.
She stirred at his touch, her eyes fluttering open, bleary and unfocused. "Cai?" she murmured weakly.
"You’re burning up." She blinked at him and then closed her eyes, wondering why she was imagining him. She felt a shiver run through her as she stirred and she caught the blanket closer around her and closed her eyes. Her lids were too heavy for her to keep them open.