Chloe POV
The rain against the window had finally stopped.
I opened my eyes slowly. The fever had broken, leaving only a deep, bone-deep weakness. Even lifting my hand felt like dragging it through wet sand. A dull ache lingered in my chest—part residual illness, part everything else that had settled there.
The door creaked open. A maid entered with a small brass tray. Her eyes flicked to me once before she lowered her head.
"Master Gideon ordered me to apply your ointment," she said softly.
Embarrassment burned across my cheeks. The thought of exposing my back to anyone still made my stomach twist, but resistance was pointless here. Not after the basement.
"Okay," I whispered.
I forced myself to turn over, burying my face in the pillow, and pulled the collar of my n
