Chapter 94 The Onset of Illness
Mia drove Ava back home.
As they exited the vehicle, Ava suggested, "Mother, perhaps you should stay here for the night."
Mia, however, politely declined, "No, thank you, dear. I am accustomed to living alone. You should go inside and rest."
A series of coughs escaped Ava's lips, a symptom Mia had noted during their drive. She advised her daughter-in-law, "Once you're inside, drink a lot of hot water. It seems you've caught a chill. Try to avoid medication and ensure you get plenty of rest."
Ava nodded in agreement, "Understood. Please be careful on your journey home."
Ava made no further attempts to persuade her mother to stay, accepting her preference for solitude.
Upon entering the foyer, Ava tightened her coat around her to ward off the chill of the late-night air.
The butler, who had been waiting for her, greeted, "Mrs. Mitchell, welcome home."
"Why are you still up?" she inquired.
"I noticed a car pulling up and thought it might be you or Mr. Mitchell," he explained.
Ava offered a weak smile, "He won't be returning tonight. You should retire for the night." She punctuated her statement with a series of coughs, her hand covering her mouth, before ascending the staircase.
Once ensconced in the warmth of her bed, Ava's coughing intensified. She had been exposed to the cold earlier when Alexander had abruptly whisked her away in her pajamas. Despite his thoughtfulness in grabbing a coat for her, it was only at the hospital that she had donned it. Germs, she mused, seize any opportunity to invade.
The butler, holding medicine and a cup of hot water, knocked on her door, "Mrs. Mitchell, are you asleep?"
His question was polite, yet unnecessary, as her coughing had betrayed her wakefulness.
"Is there something you need?" Ava asked.
"Mrs. Mitchell, I heard you coughing. I've brought you some medicine and hot water. Please take the medicine before you sleep."
Ava opened the door, her complexion notably pale. She accepted the medicine and water, "Thank you. You should rest too."
The butler nodded in acknowledgment and departed.
Ava closed the door behind him, returning to her bed. She sipped the hot water but left the medicine untouched. Being pregnant, she was wary of taking medication unless absolutely necessary.
Just as the butler was preparing to retire for the night, he received a call from Alexander.
"Is there an emergency, sir?"
"Has Ava returned?"
"Yes, she's back."
"That's good. How does she look?"
"She's been coughing incessantly. I just took some medicine to her."
"What? She's sick?" Alexander's voice betrayed his concern.
"Yes," the butler confirmed. "She might have caught a cold. She didn't look well when she came back."
Before the butler could say more, the line went dead.
...
Ava felt her head swimming, the discomfort making it difficult to focus. Her throat was sore from the constant coughing, yet the itchiness compelled her to continue. She had no choice but to endure the discomfort.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart. Mommy hasn't been taking the best care of you, but don't worry, Mommy's fine. This will pass in a few days."
Her coughing was so severe that she failed to notice the bedroom door opening.
It was only when the bed dipped noticeably that Ava started. She turned to find Alexander silently sitting at her bedside, his presence previously undetected.
"How... How did you get back?" she stammered.
Alexander gently raised his hand to her forehead and produced a thermometer, intending to place it in her mouth.
Ava quickly pushed his hand away, "What are you doing?"
"Just checking for a fever, open your mouth," he said, offering the thermometer again.
Sitting up in bed, Ava objected, "Weren't you with Isabella? Why did you come here?"
The last thing she wanted was to see him now.
