RE: Keep it in the Family (Secret Class) 168 — A Fever Dream

Silence prevailed.

"Mom?"

Still, no response echoed back. Zero. Not a single whisper of shifting sheets or padding footsteps.

I furrowed my brow, grasping the doorknob. It rotated smoothly, clearly not locked. I eased the door ajar cautiously, glancing into the shadowy chamber.

"Mom, are you—" I halted at the threshold. "—asleep?"

Curtains blocked out every ray of light. Lights seemed off entirely. I lingered for several pounding heartbeats, hoping for any sound from her, yet silence persisted. Hesitantly, I advanced, my gaze fixing on the bulky form under the heap of covers.

Her tangled brown locks sprawled wildly over the pillow like a feral beast. Even so, no sign she noticed me there.

I cocked my head. Something felt off. I approached on tiptoe silently. Perching on the bed's edge gently, the mattress groaned with an embarrassingly loud squeak. Right away, intense heat poured from the blanketed pile like a blazing oven.

Eun Ha exhaled deeply and shifted her face a bit in slumber, sweaty strands sticking to her damp brow.

Now nearer, the rosy flush on her cheeks stood out starkly against her typical smooth Korean porcelain skin. Her eyelids twitched faintly.

I bent in closer, easing the blanket away gradually, noting her pale fingers clench instinctively into the sheets as if guarding her scant warmth. Shivers wracked her. Her skin gleamed unnaturally with sweat, much like her hairline.

The back of my hand touched her forehead, then her cheek.

She was scorching hot.

"Mom...?" I murmured softly. "You..."

Her lashes quivered and lifted gradually, revealing those stunning, familiar purple eyes glazed over with fever and bewilderment. As soon as they met mine, a spark of clarity pierced her gaze. "Jae-il...? What... what are you doing... here?"

"I think you have a fever, Mom." I replied as softly as possible, brushing the sweaty locks from her brow. "You're really hot."

"Fever?" Her eyebrows knit together like the idea was absurd. "Don't be silly... just tired..." She attempted to prop herself up, but her limbs buckled instantly, dropping her back into the cushions with a faint moan, eyes drifting shut. "Just tired..."

"Mom, stay right there. And drink fluids." I rose swiftly, dashing almost comically to the bathroom. I rifled through her cabinet, snatching a pack of fever meds. Grabbing a fresh washcloth, I soaked it in cold water.

Returning, her eyes were open once more, tracking me with sleepy, blurry focus. I settled on the bed again, cloth ready.

"Here." I leaned forward, tenderly wiping her forehead and cheeks with the chilled damp fabric. Her skin was so feverish it nearly steamed the water off. What on earth was this? How did it strike so abruptly? She'd seemed mostly okay earlier, just slightly unwell, but now...?

Eun Ha jerked slightly at the touch, then sighed in relief, her form relaxing deeper into the bed. Her stare remained fixed on me. "You shouldn't... you shouldn't be in here... Jae-il..."

"Ridiculous. You're ill." I soaked the cloth in the bowl I'd fetched, squeezed it, and cleaned her neck.

Her hand, shockingly firm despite the fever, seized my wrist. Her grip burned like fire. "No... go away..." Her purple eyes widened, a flash of fear slicing through the delirious fog. "It's... not proper."

I gazed at her, seeing the real alarm in those eyes, then at her fingers clamped on me. I scowled. Not proper? What nonsense was her fever spouting?

"Mom." My tone turned unusually authoritative, like a parent's. "You're on fire. You need meds. And water. I'm staying put."

A tremor shook her. Her hold loosened, arm flopping back to the bed in surrender. She shut her eyes. "Your sisters... where...?"

"Downstairs. Cooking dinner. Or maybe clashing with pots and pans—who knows." I quipped lightly, though it fell flat. I fetched a thermometer from a drawer. "Open up."

She obeyed feebly, lips parting. I placed it under her tongue. As it worked, I studied her strained features, the tension lines around her mouth and eyes.

"......"

It beeped. I removed it. 38.9°C. Serious, but not hospital-emergency bad. Not yet. "Yep, definitely sick." I showed her the reading, even with her eyes closed.

"I'll... be fine..." She mumbled thickly.

I shook my head, dispensing a pill from the pack and offering it with water. I propped her up, steadying her against the headboard.

Eun Ha struggled to lift her hands to her mouth. She swallowed the pill with a gulp of water, drank more, then slumped into the pillows with an exhausted breath, panting shallowly. "Sorry..."

"No need." I tucked the blanket snugly around her. "Rest up. I'll have Mia and Su Ah Noona send a tray." Actually, I'd handle it myself, doubting they'd avoid messing it up.

Not that I distrusted them normally—but this mess was far from ordinary.

No reply came; her eyes were shut, breaths steadying into the deep cadence of battling illness.

I lingered a bit, observing. The fever glow on her cheeks, subtle shakes in her body, her fragile, exposed look nestled in bed.

"You're a good boy, Jae-il." She murmured unexpectedly. "My... my good boy."

Somehow, her words didn't warm me. They rang like forgiveness laced with a graver judgment than any清醒 rebuke. Because deep down, I knew she knew. And that truth might be fueling her sickness.

"Am I, really?"

"......"

I looked at Eun Ha. Her breaths were smoother now, sleep deeper and calmer. I squeezed my eyes tight briefly, then stood.

Making sure she was well-covered, I slipped out quietly.

Stepping into the kitchen, two sets of eyes locked on me instantly. They stood across the island, miraculously unscathed from prior friction, each wielding a utensil like a weapon—Mia with spatula, Su Ah with ladle. A tense standoff straight out of a showdown tune played in my mind.

The air froze solid.

"She's sick." I stated bluntly. "Fever's hit her."

They both sagged visibly. Mia's shoulders dropped. Su Ah placed the ladle down with a gentle clatter on the counter, her guard crumbling.

"How bad?" Su Ah whispered softly.

"Pretty rough. Scorching. Gave her fever pills. She's out cold now."

"I'll check on her." Mia declared, heading for the stairs past me.

"Hold on." I raised a hand, halting her. "Give her space. She doesn't need us crowding. Quiet and rest—that's key. I'll bring food up later."

Mia paused, facing away. Tension knotted her stance, fists balled at her sides.

"......"

"I get your thoughts." I said gently. "But it's not on you."

If blame fell anywhere, it was shared. Secrets like ours couldn't hide eternally. Eun Ha would uncover it sooner or later. Now, we gauge her suspicions—and mitigate.

"Isn't it?" Mia pivoted, amber eyes shimmering as she raked fingers through her hair, tousling it wildly. "All this pressure... Dad, plus... all this mess..." She waved between us. Su Ah sighed. "We're basically... destroying her."

"... Don't say that, Unnie." Su Ah soothed unexpectedly. "It'll... pass. It'll pass."

I desperately hoped...

"For now, let's prioritize her recovery." I stepped up. "Save some for when she stirs."

With nods, grunts, and shrugs, our shaky alliance formed to prep a bowl for Mom. I'd warm it later.

We ate the hearty veggie-noodle stew at the table in quiet, appetites dulled for talk.

"It's delicious."

Even so, my praise coaxed matching grins from my sisters.

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