The morning light forced its way into the room through the blinds in the window. Normally, Yue Ning welcomed the day with calm clarity, her thoughts already arranged, and her day completely prepared. But this morning, clarity was far from her.
Her body felt heavy, her skin flushed with unnatural warmth, and every breath burned in her lungs. When she stirred weakly, her lashes lifting against the weight of fever, the blurred image of a man sitting by her bedside slowly came into focus.
Huo Feng.
His tall frame seemed out of place in the delicate chair beside her bed. His head leaned back slightly, yet his posture remained stiff as though he had kept watch all night.
He had eye bags under his eyes which reflected his lack of sleep, but the moment she shifted, he became alert.
"You're awake." His voice was low, but tinged with relief.
Yue Ning tried to offer a smile, though even the effort made her lips tremble. "You didn't… sleep?" She forced out of her lips.
