NOVPUBThe moment Raelynn’s body went limp against him, Elion didn’t waste a second. He scooped her up effortlessly, cradling her against his chest as a sharp pang of fear settled in his gut. Her skin burned against his own—feverish, drenched in sweat. Her breathing was uneven, shallow gasps that barely filled her lungs.
"Raelynn." His voice was tight, urgent. "Stay awake."
Her fingers twitched weakly, a feeble attempt to grasp at his shirt. She tried to speak, but only a faint whimper escaped her lips.
Elion’s jaw clenched as he strode swiftly through the hallway, his steps eerily silent despite his haste. The grand mansion felt suffocatingly still, the only sound the rustle of fabric as he adjusted his grip on her. Her head lolled against his shoulder, her chest rising and falling in weak, unsteady motions.
He had seen her tired before. He had seen her in pain. But this? This was something else.
As he reached Raelynn’s room, he kicked the door open, barely registering the way it slammed against the wall. He laid her on the bed, his movements gentle despite his urgency.
With one hand, he yanked out his phone and dialed.
"Zake." His voice was edged with authority and something rarer—genuine fear. "Come. Now."
A pause.
"What happened?" Zake’s voice on the other end was sharp, alert.
"She collapsed," Elion bit out. He glanced down, watching her lips part in silent pain. "Something’s wrong."
"I’m on my way," Zake said immediately.
Elion ended the call before he wasted another second before turned to look at Raelynn. Her face was ghostly pale, yet a flush of fever stained her cheeks. Her body trembled beneath the soaked fabric of her dress, tiny shivers wracking her frame. Her fingers curled weakly against the bedsheet.
"Elion…" she called.
"I’m here," he said, brushing damp strands of hair from her face. His touch lingered for a second longer than necessary. "Just hold on."
He immediately called Sloane.
"I need you in Raelynn’s room. Now," he ordered the moment she picked up.
There was no hesitation in Sloane’s response. "I’m coming."
As soon as he ended the call, the door swung open again—this time without force. Hera and Reinhart stepped in, their expressions shifting from curiosity to concern the moment they saw Raelynn’s state.
"What happened?" Hera demanded, moving closer to the bed.
"She collapsed," Elion answered grimly.
Reinhart’s brows furrowed as he observed Raelynn’s trembling form. "Is it the pain again?"
"Yes," Elion muttered, his gaze fixed on her. "Even with the medicine from Zake she still having the pain."
Before anyone could say another word, Sloane arrived. Her sharp eyes swept over Raelynn, instantly assessing the situation. Without wasting a second, she pulled a pair of gloves from her coat pocket and sat beside the bed.
"She’s burning up," Sloane muttered as she pressed her fingers against Raelynn’s pulse point. "Her heartbeat is irregular."
Raelynn stirred slightly, her face twisting in discomfort. Her hands clutched her stomach, a silent plea for the pain to stop.
Sloane’s eyes darkened. "Where does it hurt, Raelynn?"
Raelynn’s lips parted, but only a faint whisper came out. "…Everywhere…"
Elion’s fingers curled into fists. He hated seeing her like this—helpless, in pain.
"Her fever isn’t just from exhaustion," Sloane said, her voice edged with concern. She lifted Raelynn’s wrist, checking her pulse again. "Something’s wrong inside her."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Then, hurried footsteps echoed from the hall.
Zake.
The door swung open, and Zake stepped inside, his medical bag already in hand. He barely acknowledged anyone else as he moved straight to Raelynn’s bedside. His eyes flickered over her face, her flushed skin, the way her body trembled beneath the covers.
"She’s worse than I expected," Zake murmured.
Elion tensed. "What does that mean?"
Zake didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he reached into his bag, pulling out a syringe and a vial. He filled the needle with practiced ease before gently taking Raelynn’s arm.
"This will ease the fever," he explained, though his voice lacked reassurance. "But it’s not a cure."
The needle slid into her skin effortlessly. Raelynn barely reacted.
Zake set the syringe aside and pressed his palm lightly against her stomach. Raelynn flinched.
"Still sensitive," Zake muttered to himself. His brows knitted together as he examined her, fingers pressing lightly over different areas. "The pain isn’t localized—it’s spreading."
Sloane’s frown deepened. "That doesn’t sound right."
"It’s not," Zake admitted. His eyes flickered up to Elion. "Her body isn’t reacting to the medicine like it should."
A cold weight settled in Elion’s chest. "What do you mean?"
Zake hesitated.
Elion’s patience snapped. "Say it."
Zake exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand over his face. "I need to run more tests, but… I think her body is rejecting something."
Elion’s hands curled into fists. "Rejecting what?"
Zake hesitated again. "The pregnancy."
Silence.
Elion’s entire body went still. His gaze darted back to Raelynn, watching as she lay there, barely conscious, her breath slow, unsteady.
"That’s not possible," Elion said, his voice quiet but dangerous.
"I don’t have a definitive answer yet," Zake admitted, shaking his head. "But I need more time. I need to monitor her—adjust her treatment."
Elion’s jaw tightened. "Fix it."
Zake sighed, his exhaustion showing for the first time. "I’m trying, Elion."
Raelynn let out a soft breath, her fingers twitching slightly against the covers.
"Elion…" she murmured weakly.
His eyes snapped back to her. He took her hand, squeezing it gently. "I’m here."
Her lips barely moved as she tried to say something else, but the words never came.
Then, her entire body relaxed.
"…She’s asleep," Zake said after a moment. "For now."
"For now?" Elion repeated.
Zake didn’t meet his gaze.
A thick, suffocating silence filled the room.
Elion’s grip on Raelynn’s hand tightened slightly. He could feel her warmth, her fragile pulse beneath his fingers. It was too weak.
Too fragile.
Something was wrong.
And Zake knew more than he was saying.
Elion exhaled slowly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"…What aren’t you telling me?"
Zake didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he lowered his gaze to Raelynn’s sleeping face, his expression troubled.
"We need to be prepared," he said at last.
Elion’s stomach twisted at the unspoken meaning behind those words.
Prepared for what?
