Chapter 1 - The FeverBy five that evening, even sitting upright felt like fighting against gravity.
I had spent nearly the entire day beneath two blankets despite sweating through my T-shirt, sipping lukewarm water because anything colder hurt my throat.
Marcus had wanted to stay home that morning.
"Delphine, I'm serious. I can call in."
"You have that quarterly meeting."
"I also have a wife with a fever."
"I have medicine, water, and a TV remote. Go."
Marcus leaned down and kissed my forehead. "Stay in bed."
"I plan to," I said.
"And order dinner."
"I can make something easy."
"No." He pointed at me. "Don't even look at the stove."
I managed a weak laugh. "Yes, sir."
"I'm serious, Delphine."
"So am I. Go."
Before leaving, he filled my water bottle, put my medicine on the nightstand, and texted the kids to come straight home after school.
At 4:30, the kids arrived home hungry enough to act like school had deliberately starved them. I ordered pasta for them, steak and potatoes for Marcus, and chicken soup for myself. Then I texted him.
Your dinner costs more than my medicine.
His response came immediately. Worth it. Stay upstairs, Delphine. ❤️
Ten minutes later, I heard the front door open. Then a familiar voice called from downstairs.
May you like
Priscilla.
Marcus's mother never bothered knocking when she knew someone was home. She hadn't mentioned coming over, so I had no idea why she was there.
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