I blinked against the soft light filtering through my bedroom window. My head pounded, and my body felt like it was on fire. As I stirred, I realized there was a cool compress against my forehead, and when I turned my head slightly, I saw my mother sitting beside me.
"You’re burning up," she said softly, her voice full of concern. "I didn’t want to leave you alone."
I stared at her for a long moment, processing her words. The warmth in her voice, the worry on her face—it was so out of character for her. For as long as I could remember, my mother had been distant, cold even. Now, here she was, looking after me like she genuinely cared.
"What’s the deal?" I finally asked, my voice rough. "Why the sudden switch-up? You've been ice-cold to me for years, only focusing on Ryder. But now you’
