Page 13 of Flawed

My heart beats harder, and I suddenly get dizzy. I reach for the wall.

Luca grabs me. "Whoa! You okay?"

I close my eyes, trying to breathe. Sweat pops out on my skin.

He circles his arm around my waist then presses his palm to my forehead. "Chanel, you're burning up."

"I am?" I ask, then wince when I swallow. My throat's dry and hurts.

He leads me to the bed. I slide in, and he insists, "You need medication."

"I'm not taking it," I reiterate, but my voice is weak.

"I'll be right back," Luca states.

I curl into my pillow and wait for him. When he returns, he has a thermometer, cough syrup, and throat lozenges. I blurt out, "I said I'm not taking those!"

He arches his eyebrows. "Are you a health nut or something?"

I decide it's best if I lie. I reply, "Yeah, I am. I don't like unnecessary chemicals in my body."

He shakes his head disapprovingly then leaves the room again.

The sound of the clock ticking hits my ears. I go into a sneezing fit then hug my pillow.

Luca returns, carrying a new tray. He sits on the bed next to me then pushes a lock of my hair behind my ear. Zings fly down my spine, even though I feel sick.

"I was prepared for this," he says with a slight bit of arrogance.

"What?"

He holds a glass of cloudy water in front of me. "Take this," he orders, then holds an empty glass next to it.

I ask, "Wh-what is that?"

His lips twitch. "It's salt water. Gargle it. It'll help your sore throat. When you're done, spit it in the empty glass."

My pulse beats faster.

I hesitate. "What's in it?"

He arches his eyebrows. "Salt and water."

"What else?" I question.

He tilts his head. "Nothing else. I wouldn't trick you."

"How do I know that?" I question, then regret it when I see his face fall further. I blurt out, "Sorry."

Tense silence fills the air as he studies me.

Salt and water; it can't be bad for the baby.

Is it?

No, it can't be.

He softens his tone, trying for the millionth time to understand my attitude. He says, "Chanel, I'm trying to understand what I did to upset you so much."

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