43-1: you must eat

Augustin only had to follow the sound of voices to reach the half-open bedroom door. A cushion lay just outside the doorway, and he had only to bend down to pick it up and tuck it under his elbow. Then he knocked gently on the doorframe and had to use all his self-control not to run to his adopted daughter's side.

He knew she was suffering, which was enough to alarm him. But now, seeing her so pale and with dark circles around her eyes, he felt as if a bucket of ice water had just been poured over his head.

Emmanuelle was in bed, leaning against a pile of cushions. She was covered by a thick, soft yellow blanket with lavender motifs painted on it. Next to her, on her bedside table, was a porcelain basin of water, with a cloth hanging from it, still damp from its last use.

When Emmanuelle's eyes fell on him, Augustin felt a lump in his throat. As a result, he rushed towards her as soon as she reached out her hand. He had almost fallen to his knees, too worried to see her so weak wh