Chapter 82

Chloe’s POV

I pressed my fingers to my forehead.

Too hot.

I grabbed the thermometer from the cabinet, hands clumsy, and waited impatiently as it beeped. When I looked at the number, my stomach sank.

I had a fever.

I sank onto the edge of the bathtub, the room tilting slightly again. This wasn’t just stress. This wasn’t exhaustion alone. Something was wrong.

I crawled back into bed, pulling on a loose shirt, my movements slow and heavy. My body ached now, a deep soreness settling into my muscles. Even my scalp felt tender.

I stared at the ceiling, breathing shallowly, trying not to think.

About the dizziness.

About the nausea.

About how this had been happening more often.

I told myself it was the pressure. The lack of rest. The constant tension. I had been through too much lately. Anyone would get sick.

Still, unease settled in my chest.

I reached for my phone, then stopped.

I didn’t want to ta