Page 90 of Ruthless Vengeance
“I just feel…drained.” She leans her head against my chest, closing her eyes.
“Are you sure it’s nothing?” I stroke her hair.
“Pretty sure. I probably just need another good night’s sleep, and I’ll feel much better.”
Something about her tone doesn’t convince me.
I nod slowly, though the tightness in my chest doesn’t ease.
I’ve learned by now to trust my instincts, and something deep down doesn’t feel right about this.
Chapter Twenty-Three
CLARA
The next morning,I wake up feeling like I’ve been hit by a train.
My whole body is covered in a thin film of sweat, and my limbs feel like they’re made of concrete. Not only that but I’m pretty sure someone must have taken a hammer to my temples at some point in the night.
I groan as I force myself to sit up.
Though the moment I do, my stomach clenches, and I drop back against the pillow as I try to breathe through the nausea.
I glance over to Marco’s side of the bed.
It’s empty, but I’m not surprised.
He’s the definition of a morning person, which is good when it comes to taking the first shift with Zoe.
Speaking of which, my daughter is quiet on the monitor, so I take the opportunity to close my eyes and try to rest for a little longer.
My suspicions as to what is causing my nausea is growing, but I’m still reluctant to say anything to Marco in case I’m wrong. I would hate to get his hopes up over nothing.
Just as start drifting back to sleep, his footsteps sound outside the door, and I peel my eyes open just as he walks in, carrying a glass of water in one hand and his phone in the other.
His brows furrow the second he sees me.
He sets the glass down on the bedside table. “That’s it. I’m calling the doctor.”
I blink up at him. “Marco, I’m fine. I probably just need?—”
“No.” He’s already tapping away on his phone. “You said that yesterday. You’re still pale and clammy-looking, so you’re clearly not getting better.”
“Gee, thanks,” I mutter, but Marco isn’t listening.
“I’m not going to sit around and wait until it gets worse. I’ll have someone come here to check you over.”
I sigh, pulling the blanket tighter around myself.
There’s no arguing with Marco when he gets like this, all protective and bossy in a way that’s both frustrating and kind of sweet.
“I’d just rather avoid you ending up in the hospital.” His voice softens as he bends down to tuck the blankets around me. “Let’s get ahead of this thing, okay?”
“Fine. But I get to stay in bed. That’s my terms.”
He grins. “Deal.”
Zoe starts stirring on the monitor, and I let out a sigh, knowing she’ll want a feed.
