The next morning unfolded with deceptive calm. It should have been an ordinary morning, but that illusion shattered quickly when Nathan stirred with a weak whimper that pulled everyone's attention to his bed.
Leonard stood near the kitchen, pouring himself a glass of water when he heard it, the frail, trembling call of the boy. Katherine was at his side within seconds, her hands pressing against Nathan's burning forehead, panic immediately etching into her features.
"He's burning up," she whispered, her voice tight with worry. "Nathan, sweetheart, can you hear me?"
The boy's eyelids fluttered, his lashes sticking slightly from sweat, his cheeks far too pale for her comfort. "Mom… my head hurts," he murmured, his small voice breaking with exhaustion.
