A SUDDEN ILLNESS

Leah woke up that morning feeling heavier than usual. Her body ached in ways that she couldn’t explain, and her head throbbed with an intensity that made her wince every time she moved.

As she tried to sit up in bed, her vision swam for a moment, making her grab the edge of the bed for support.

Richie, who had already gotten up, noticed her struggling. He walked over, concern etched across his face. "Babe, you okay?"

Leah shook her head, blinking a few times to steady herself. "I don’t know. I just feel... off. Like something’s not right."

Richie knelt beside her, placing a hand on her forehead. "You’re burning up. I think you might have a fever. Maybe you should take the day off and rest."

Leah let out a small, frustrated sigh. "I can't miss work today. You know I've been off work for a while now. And things are piling up for me. There’s so much to do. But maybe I should stop by the hospital and get checked out, just to be sure."

Richie nodded, still frowning. "That’s a good idea. B