Page 14 of Flawed

Guilt crashes through me. I reply, "You haven't done anything. Sorry. I'm just... I'm not myself right now." I take the glass of salty water and gargle half of it. I spit it in the empty glass.

Luca orders, "Finish it, please."

I point out, "You're bossy."

He shrugs. "Just do what I say."

"Point proven,'' I mutter, then down the remaining mixture.

He holds a steamy mug in front of me when I'm through.

I question, "What is this?"

"It's ginger tea with honey. It'll help you feel better."

"Thanks." I take a sip of tea.

Luca holds a thermometer in front of my ears. There's a loud click. He pulls it away and frets, "You have a 101-degree temperature!"

I try not to freak out. I should call my doctor, but I don't want Luca to hear. There's no way I can do that without him listening and finding out about the baby.

"You should take a fever reducer," he states.

I shake my head and turn on my side, yawning. "I just need sleep."

He leaves the room. I'm almost asleep when he puts a cold compress on my neck.

"That's freezing!" I express.

"You'll thank me when your fever goes down," he claims.

I reach to remove it, but he places his hand over mine.

"Chanel, don't fight me on this. If it gets any higher, I'm taking you to the emergency room."

I squeeze my eyes shut.

A fever isn't good for the baby. He's right.

I slide my hand back under the pillow.

He kisses the top of my head. "Good girl."

I fall asleep within minutes. When I wake up, it's the middle of the night and dark outside. A banana, crackers, and some Jell-O are on the nightstand. Two bottles of fruit juice are next to it. Another note is on the tray.

Stellina,

Please eat. I'll be back as soon as I can.

XOXO

Luca

I glance at the clock.It's five in the morning.

Why is he always gone at night?

Is this what it would be like if we were together?