When Amilys returned home, her aunt was already waiting outside, hands glued to her waist.
"How long does it take to get vegetables?" Aunt Morgan scolded.
"Sorry, Aunt Morgan."
Her aunt's sharp eyes dropped to the basket of fresh vegetables in Amilys' arms.
"And where did you get the money to buy fresh vegetables?" Her voice cut like a blade. "Don't tell me you've turned into a thief."
Amilys quickly shook her head.
"No, Aunty. A wizard gifted it to me."
Just thinking of Jinx made her heart flutter.
"Drop the basket."
Amilys obeyed. The moment she stepped closer, her aunt grabbed a fistful of her hair and yanked.
"Aah! Aunty, what did I do?" she cried, but Aunt Morgan didn't loosen her grip.
"Besides being a troublemaker and a curse, now you've started selling your body?" She finally let go, only to deliver a sharp slap across Amilys' cheek.
Pain flared. Amilys cupped her burning cheek, tears rising.
"No, Aunt… I would never do that," she choked. "I swear on my parents' graves. He gave it to me without me offering anything."
Her aunt hissed.
"Why must you lie? Bringing your late parents into this, shameless girl. If you work at the brothel, just say it. I won't judge. You have… qualities."
Her sarcasm stung.
Amilys wept harder.
Aunt Morgan grabbed her arm in a bruising grip.
"No one gives anything to someone as wretched-looking as you. You must have offered your smelly body, otherwise why would a man give you something?"
"But I didn't… I swear-"
Her aunt silenced her with a cold, disgusted stare.
"Get inside this instant."
Amilys went in quietly.
"Miss Fiona."
Someone tapped her shoulder.
"Miss Fiona!" The tapping got firmer until Fiona's eyes fluttered open. Her vision was blurry, but slowly the room sharpened: the doctor, her parents, siblings, and two maids.
"What happened?" She tried to sit up, but the doctor gently pushed her back.
"Don't strain yourself. You fell into a short coma. Your body was lethargic for eighteen hours."
Eighteen? Fiona blinked. It felt like she had only been dreaming…
"How is she, Doc?" her dad asked anxiously.
"She's fine. She just needs plenty of rest to regain her strength." The doctor packed her stethoscope and smiled at the family. "No supplements needed. Rest is enough."
After everyone left at her father's instruction, Fiona lay alone, thoughts swirling.
Her dream replayed. Amilys, Jinx, the pain, the fear.
Amilys was the woman Jinx wrote about in his journal…
But how did he hurt her?
And how was Fiona supposed to return to that dream to find more answers?
She sighed.
Later, a knock pulled her from her thoughts.
"Come in," she exhaled.
Her dad walked in with a tray.
"Dinner, mi amor."
"Thanks, Dad… but you shouldn't stress yourself. I'm really fine."
"It's no stress."
He scooped a spoonful of hot soup, blew on it gently, and held it to her lips.
"I can feed myself-"
He frowned.
She opened her mouth.
After several spoons, she stopped him.
"I'm full."
He set the bowl down, offered her water, and wiped her mouth gently.
"Thanks, Dad."
"That's why I'm your father."
He set the tray aside and returned to sit.
"Dad… I have something to tell you." She felt her heart stutter.
"You can tell me anything, mi amor."
"I… went to the party," she confessed.
He didn't frown. He smiled.
"I know."
"You know? How?"
"A little birdie told me."
"And you're not mad?"
"Even if I were, it wouldn't change the fact that you already went." He stood to pick up the tray. "Someone from Aviva's house called saying she came here to study. Since she wasn't here… I figured it out."
He headed out.
"Rest well, mi amor."
Morning came quickly. Fiona wanted to go to school, but her dad refused, so she stayed in bed.
Hours later, a knock sounded.
"Come in."
A house help poked her head inside.
"Miss Fiona, you have guests."
"Aviva?"
"Yes… and Sir Twilight."
Fiona's heart skipped. Twilight? Was he here to check on her, or to insult her again?
"Let them in."
A moment later, Aviva entered carrying flowers and a box of chocolate.
"Hey bestie!" She sat beside her and dropped the gifts on Fiona's lap. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine. Thank you."
She stroked the yellow flowers. "How's school?"
"School is full of gossip. From Caesar's party to more-"
"Aviva. Let me rest," Fiona sighed.
"Sorryyy. I missed you." Aviva grinned. "Oh, and Twilight came too. I guess he misses his science partner." She winked.
"Where is he?"
"Oooh, seems like you miss him too." Aviva teased, raising her brows.
"Aviva-"
"He's downstairs. Your medicine is on the way." She giggled and stood. "I have karate class. Get well soon! Oh Twilight, where are youuuu-"
"Bye," Fiona groaned.
Aviva left.
Fiona placed the flowers on her study table and returned to lie down.
A moment later, the door opened quietly. Heavy, familiar footsteps slipped in.
He closed the door like he was sneaking.
Definitely Twilight.
She recognized his thick scent. Sharp, cold, something she couldn't describe.
He pulled a chair to her bedside and sat.
She kept her eyes closed.
He leaned in and gently brushed stray strands of hair from her face.
"So how long are you going to pretend?" he murmured.
She held still.
Then-
He pinched her nose.
"Ouch!" She shot up, rubbing her nose. "What was that for?!"
He sat back calmly, face blank.
"I thought you were sleeping."
"You're unbelievable."
"Apart from being a terrible actor," he said, crossing one leg over the other, "you're also a very silly girl."
"And who said I was pretending? What are you even doing here?"
"I'm here to sell air."
Sarcasm.
"Can't you answer one question seriously?"
"I answer intelligent questions. Yours would lower my IQ."
She glared.
He stood, walked to retrieve something, then returned.
He set white carnations on her lap.
"Why… did you get me this?"
"You enjoy asking the obvious," he said flatly. "I came to check if you were dead. Since you're not, they're now 'get well soon' flowers."
Fiona blinked.
Did he really…
"And why would I be dead?"
"Because anything can kill you. Demons. Evil spirits. Monsters."
His eyes swept her from head to toe. "With those skinny legs? You're not strong."
"My name is Fiona. Not skinny legs." She scooted closer. "And what do you mean demons and monsters?"
He looked amused at her fear. Leaned closer.
"Yes, Miss Marvin. Anything can snap your neck."
He snapped his fingers sharply.
Fiona flinched.
"N-Nothing will happen to me," she whispered.
He straightened.
"Really? Nothing?" He smirked, heading toward the door.
"But you never know, Miss Marvin. Anything can happen to anyone."
His hand rested on the door handle.
He looked back.
"Get well soon, Miss Marvin."
He slipped out, closing the door slowly, deliberately, to leave the fear lingering.
Of course.
Even when she was sick… he still couldn't resist messing with her.