Chapter 8

After the vomit, I splashed the cold water from the sink on my face, hoping it would clear my racing thoughts. But the new anxiety hung heavy, a cloud I couldn't just shake off, suggestions I couldn't bear to take seriously.

“What’s wrong with me?” I murmured as I gazed at the mirror.

First it started with the headaches, then came the crushing fatigue, now this…nausea? What could all these mean?

“I think I need to have a full body test done.” I murmured again, still afraid to confront the thoughts.

As I returned back to the hall, my mother was the first to leave the group of women she was standing with, and rushed toward me with her voice trembling with concern.

"Are you okay, my dear?" Her eyes wide with worry, searching my face for any hint of reassurance.

"I'm fine, Mum, just a bit under the weather, that's all." I replied, trying to sound casual even though my voice lacked conviction.

My eyes suddenly met with James as I looked up from the spot.

This time, he wasn’t wearing