-ˋˏ ༻Chapter 3༺ ˎˊ-

"You should go see a doctor. You look terrible."

Sean shook his head, trying to brush off her concern despite his body protesting.

"I'm sorry for this, but I really can't skip today's work. I'll try my best not to pass my sickness on you."

"That's not the problem here"

"I'm fine, really. I just need to rest a bit. Besides, I have too much work to do today to take time off." Sean reassured, opened a new pack of mask and took one to use.

Sophia gave him a doubtful look, clearly not convinced by his reassurances. But she seemed to understand his stubborn determination to stay and work.

"Alright, but if you start feeling worse, you have to promise me you'll go see a doctor. And try to take frequent breaks and drink lots of fluids."

Sean nodded, appreciating her concern, but he was determined to push through the day, no matter how awful he felt.

He was also oblivious to Layla's watchful eye. Despite his ill condition, he still tried to maintain a stoic facade. Yet he couldn't deny the relief and small comfort he felt when Sophia helped him, her caring act making him feel less alone. But he always remember to keep a polite distance between them, knowing his status as a married man.

As time went on, Sophia noticed Sean's condition deteriorating, he was having more and more trouble focusing, his skin seemed paler, and his coughs became more frequent. As they were having their lunch break, Sophia, concerned for his health, leaned over and spoke softly, her voice filled with genuine worry.

"Senior, are you sure you can hold on till the end? You look even worse than this morning. You really should take the day off and rest, or at least go home early."

Sean looked up at her, his eyes dull with fatigue. She was right, he was feeling much weaker than before. His head was spinning, and even the simple act of eating felt like a chore.

"right... maybe I... I have to go home now, sorry for being a bother." he said with hoarse and strained voice.

"No, no, you're not a bother at all," Sophia assured him, grabbing a tissue gently wiping some sweat from his forehead.

"You're sick and need to rest. I'll tell our boss you're leaving early. Here, let me help you gather your things."

Sean nodded tiredly in acknowledgement. He was too exhausted to protest. With Sophia's help, he packed up his belongings and put on his coat. Every movement was slow and painful, the pain in his body and headache like a constant throb.

*[She'll definitely cut my salary once again this time]* he thought.

He used to Layla's tendency to cut his salary even with unreasonable reason and out of nowhere, let alone bcoz of taking a day off.

Once everything was packed, Sophia turned to Sean.

"Come on, let's get you home. Can you walk, or do you need me to call a cab?"

"Ugh... maybe...a cab would be better," Sean admitted, leaning on Sophia's arm for support. He took a deep breath and closing his eyes briefly until the wave of vertigo passed.

Sophia nodded, worry etched on her face.

"Yeah, I think a cab is a better idea. You look like you can barely stand."

She supported him to walk and guided him out of the office, one arm around his waist to steady him. They made their way down the hallway, each step an effort for Sean in his weakened state.

As they reached the lobby, Layla was already there, waiting, her annoyance etched on her face. Seeing Sean leaning heavily against Sophia, her irritation flared.

"Taking advantage of your illness to get close with another women, aren't we now?" she exclaimed sarcastically mixed with jealousy.

Sean flinched at Layla's tone. He knew that look on her face, her accusing voice. Even in his weak state, he knew better to defend himself against her.

"I... I..." he muttered, his voice hoarse and shaky. But before he could say anything, Sophia spoke up, her voice firm but respectful.

"Ms. Layla, he was feeling unwell, I was just helping him. Nothing more."

Layla sneered, scrutinizing Sophia from head to toe.

"Oh yeah? And you're just so eager to help, aren’t you? Always hovering around him, even outside office hours," she taunted, her eyes narrowing in a mix of jealousy and suspicion.

"Whatever. I'll take him from here, and you go back to your work. **thankyou verymuch**"

Layla's possessive behavior towards Sean was evident, her jealousy flaring as she saw him leaning on Sophia. She grabbed his arm, pulling him away from Sophia's supportive grip and practically dragged him to the car.

Sean stumbled along with her, too weak to resist. Each step was a struggle, his vision swimming and head throbbing. He could barely focus on anything apart from the effort of just standing up and the pain in his shivering body.

As they reached Layla's car, she practically shoved him into the passenger seat, not caring about his condition. His head spun as he landed unceremoniously. He leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes as the world continued to spin around him. The car ride back home was a blur, but every jolt and turn of the vehicle made his nausea worse, his headache more intense.

The journey was bumpy and slow, Layla's driving reflecting her irritation. With each bump, Sean winced, the pain in his head and body intensifying. The cold air from the A/C blew against his already feverish body, sending chills down his spine, He couldn’t help but shiver.

"Can you...lower the AC please?" he pleaded

Layla, lost in her own seething jealousy, barely glanced at him.

"No, it's hot in here. Deal with it," she snapped, keeping the A/C at the same intensity.

Sean bit his lip, suppressing a groan. Each shuddering breath he took was ragged and hoarse. The chilling air made his bones feel like ice, every joint and muscle screaming in protest as he struggled to stay still. Once Layla got him inside their house, she practically dragged him to their bedroom. Sean could barely stand, his feet feeling like lead. When they reached the bed, Layla pushed him down, causing him to stumble and collapse onto the mattress. The room spun around him, shadows blending with the white ceiling. He groaned as pain rippled through him once he made contact with the bed.

"Stop being dramatic, you pathetic shit!" Layla spat out,

She still affected by her jealousy and couldn't help but takes on him. Sean just lay there, too exhausted to respond or even defend himself. The pain was overwhelming, the chills racking his body even more now, His trembling hands clutched at the blanket, trying to pull it over himself for warmth, but each movement sent searing pain through him. He wanted to sleep, to just close his eyes and escape everything, but the pounding in his head made that impossible. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to will away the nausea that was now rising in his stomach. He tried to take deep breaths, but each one was a struggle, his lungs on fire.

In the background, Layla's voice continued, her words sharp and filled with anger, but they sounded distant, like an echo in the swirling fog of his mind. He couldn't make out her exact words, his fever addling his brain, making everything a blur. His last thought before he sank into a fitful sleep was a silent wish that he could escape this torment, even if it was just in his dreams.

As he finally succumbed to sleep, his fever-addled body succumbed to exhaustion, his breath now shallow and fast as he drifted off. His eyes remained closed, his features almost peaceful despite the feverish flush on his cheeks. The fever, now at its peak, ravaged his weak body. He trembled slightly under the blanket, the chills gripping him even in his sleep. His lips moved occasionally, whispering incoherent words, whether in the throes of a feverish dream or simply the random ramblings of a delirious mind, was unclear.

Layla, on the other hand, watched Sean sleep, her expression a mix of anger and bitterness. She couldn't shake off the jealousy and disappointment that burned within her. A part of her believed that he was being dramatic over a simple fever for attention or to avoid her, even though she knew deep down that it wasn't true. The sight of him sick and vulnerable stirred up conflicting feelings within her - a strange mixture of satisfaction at his misery, yet also a nagging concern hidden beneath her facade of anger. Her eyes lingered on his feverish face, and for a moment, a flicker of genuine worry crossed her mind.

For a fleeting moment, Layla considered checking Sean's temperature. Her hand hesitatingly extended towards his forehead.

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