What Doesn’t Kill You Makes You Stronger novel Chapter 58

I spent a restless night, tossing and turning, my skin clammy with fever sweat on the sheets.

At dawn, Castro tried to coax me out of bed. When I mumbled protests and pushed him away, he leaned in with an amused smile to kiss me.

For the first time in seven years, his kiss made me flinch. My hand instinctively rose to slap him but I caught myself. Thankfully, it was just a brief peck.

"Awake yet, sleeping beauty?" he teased.

I turned away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. "It's Saturday. Why can't you let me sleep?"

His expression softened with concern. "You were running a fever last night. Come on, we need to get you to the hospital."

Though I felt better, his insistence won out and I reluctantly got dressed.

In the hospital corridor, we ran into Oriana. She was hobbling along alone, clearly having injured her ankle.

Castro's gentle demeanor vanished instantly. His brow furrowed with worry as he rushed to her side, steadying her with his hands.

"What happened to you?"

Oriana gave him a warm smile, then glanced meaningfully at me. "Just twisted my ankle. What a coincidence seeing you both here."

Castro tensed, throwing me a quick, guilty look.

"Ah yes, my friend's sister wasn't feeling well. Brought her in to check her fever."

I was long used to this charade.

From the moment Castro decided to keep our relationship secret, he'd introduced me to all his friends as his best friend's sister who he'd promised to look after.

Only his innermost circle knew the truth about us.

"You're such a good guardian to the poor girl." Oriana nodded sympathetically. Well, don't let me keep you - my appointment's down that way."

She gestured toward a clinic door further down the hall.

When she started to hop again, Castro didn't hesitate. He swept her up into his arms bridal-style.

"Let me take you there." he said eagerly, "Aveline, wait here for me, alright?"

Watching them, something inside me crumbled. My fever seemed to return full force, leaving me weak and dizzy.

I leaned against the cold hospital wall, not bothering to respond. The stark white corridor suddenly felt endless and empty, much like my future without him.