Emily's POV
The morning sunlight filtered through the thin curtains in my room, casting a soft glow on the mess of papers, clothes, and scattered belongings from my late-night preparations. My head pounded, and my body felt heavy, like I had been run over by a freight train. I groaned, rolling over, only to feel a sharp pang in my stomach that sent me bolting upright. Before I could think, I was rushing to the bathroom, my breakfast—or what little I had managed to eat the day before—making a sudden reappearance.
"Tessa!" I croaked, clutching the sink as beads of sweat formed on my forehead.
She rushed into the room, her face etched with worry. "Emily, you're burning up! This heat is getting worse. You need to rest."
I shook my head stubbornly, gripping the edge of the counter for suppo
