The next day came as usual, though nothing about the atmosphere had changed. 

Jane stood by the kitchen counter, staring at the kettle as it rumbled to life. Her hair was woven into a loose braid, her face paler than usual, but she forced a small smile when she heard footsteps behind her.

"Ina?" she called, coughing lightly.

"No... It's me."

River approached, still adjusting the cuffs of his shirt. He glanced at her mug. "You didn't sleep?"

Jane chuckled weakly. "I feel like none of us have."

River didn't disagree.

Ina drifted in moments later, sleeves too long on her sweater again, eyes unfocused. She looked between them but then quickly looked away when River's gaze lingered a second too long. She took a seat at the table and pulled her knees up, hugging them.

Jane poured tea. "Sweet or not sweet?"

"Whatever," Ina mumbled.

River sighed. "Ina—"

"River, please," she whispered before he could finish.

Jane hesitated. A flicker of something unreadable crossed her face, but she tried to keep her voice light. "Okay. No heavy talk before noon. House rule."

She pushed the cup toward Ina.

Ina wrapped both shaking hands around the mug as though she needed the warmth to tether herself to the room.

Jane smiled a little. "There you go. Slow sips, okay?"

Ina nodded. River watched both of them, the tension twisting in his chest.

Jane started washing the dishes when River pushed her aside, taking over. She moved aside after a moment of hesitation. She stepped by the counter to pour herself a cup of tea. River noticed her hands were trembling more than usual. 

It was quiet. Too quiet.

Then Jane's hand slipped.

Before the cup could hit the ground, she caught it, or tried to, but her fingers didn't quite close around it. The cup clattered and shattered on the floor.

"Jane, is everything okay?" River stepped forward, startled.

Ina was lost in thought. 

Jane blinked rapidly. "Sorry... sorry— I don't know what—"

She steadied herself on the counter, breathing fast. River reached out, but she held out a hand.

"I'm fine. Just dizzy. I didn't eat much yesterday."

"Ina," River called out louder than he meant, "What—" she jolted upright. She saw the scene before and stilled.

"What happened?" she whispered, already on her feet. She moved to Jane, gently holding her elbow. "Hey. Sit down for a moment."

Jane opened her mouth to protest, then swayed.

River caught her just before her knees buckled.

"Ina—" he said urgently.

"I'm calling the ambulance."

"N-no—" Jane exhaled, voice barely there, "No uh need, I'll be okay—"

But her words slurred, and after a few moments, she coughed up blood. And her eyes rolled. And then her body went limp.

——

The hospital felt too still that day. The faint whispers and the smell of disinfectant through the air made them squirm.

River paced outside the emergency room in slow strides, occasionally glancing at the door. Ina sat perfectly still on the waiting bench, her hand clasped on her thighs. Rui arrived somewhere in between, breathless and confused, and immediately sat beside Ina.

"What happened?" she asked, catching her breath.

Ina shook her head. "She just... collapsed. She was fine, and then she wasn't, and I-I don't know—"

Her voice cracked. She pressed her sleeve to her face. Rui put an arm around her but didn't speak. Sometimes silence was safer.

River stopped pacing. "They said the doctor will come out soon."

Ina nodded, but her knee bounced violently, and Rui gently placed her hand on her. She didn't notice she was doing it.

It felt like an eternity had passed when the doctor finally came out the door.

"Family of Jane Park?" he asked. River, Ina, and Rui all shot to their feet at once.

The doctor looked tired, and his sigh sounded louder than it was in the quiet hallways.

"She collapsed due to complications from her underlying condition," he continued after a pause, "The infection's progression is starting to affect her more severely."

Ina's breath vanished. Rui gripped her hand.

River stepped forward. "What does that mean?"

"She's stable for the moment," the doctor said carefully. "But her vitals are concerning. We've been observing her since her last appointment. You know that she's been unwell, but this collapse is a sign her system is under too much strain."

Ina looked like she'd been hit.

"Strain?" she whispered. "What kind of strain?"

"Physical, emotional, psychological. Could be anything. We won't know without further tests. But..." He hesitated.

"But what?" River said sharply.

"You may want to prepare yourselves," the doctor finished. "It could get worse."

Ina went cold all over. River stilled.

"What do you mean, worse?" she asked, voice shaking.

The doctor gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "We're doing everything we can. But please... be ready."

"You can go see her now." And then he walked away.

Ina stared after him, her mouth open, but no sound came out. She staggered lightly in her step.

River reached out instinctively to steady her, to offer the support she always resisted, but she stepped back. Not intentionally. Reflexively. River's hand hung in the air for a moment before dropping. Rui noticed, but didn't comment. She only pulled Ina closer.

——

After a while, River stood leaning against the wall, rubbing his temples. Rui stood silently beside him, watching Ina through the window, where she sat by Jane's bedside, holding her hand.

Rui spoke first. "She's going to break."

River swallowed. "She's already breaking."

"No," Rui said softly. "Not yet. But she will."

He didn't answer.

Rui hesitated. Then quietly she muttered, "She needs you."

River looked up, his gaze tired, conflicted, and hurting. "She won't talk to me."

"Because she trusts you too much," Rui said. "She's scared you'll see how bad it is."

River exhaled, looking away. "I'm not so sure," he murmured ever so quietly, but Rui caught it. 

She faced him, her eyes meeting his. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "She needs you," she insisted again. "And I know you'll look after her." The way she said it carried a shadowed meaning, a hint of a future she was afraid to name.

"And you?" he asked without thinking. "What do you think?"

Rui smiled faintly, but it never reached her eyes. "I think none of you are okay."

——

Inside the room, Ina held Jane's limp hand and rested her forehead on the blanket.

"Please... don't do this," she whispered.

"Please don't leave me. Not now...when I'm still here." Her voice cracked.

"And I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She didn't even know what she was apologizing for.

Staying distant. Being paranoid. Being lost. Being herself. She didn't know. She only knew she couldn't lose Jane too.

——

Ina stood by the table, squeezing oranges into a glass while Jane sat, leaning against the headboard, the IV drip connected to her hand. There was a knock on the door, and it clicked open, making Ina glance up. Avy entered the room with a basket of fruits in her hand.

"Hey," she whispered, walking towards the bed and gently squeezing her hand. Jane's lips lightly curved up, though her eyes looked tired. "How are you feeling?"

"Better, I think," she whispered, though her voice cracked faintly. Avy stood there looking at her trembling hands and weak body, and couldn't form any more words. She leaned down and hugged her gently.

"Have you had something to eat? I can take care of this while you take a break," Avy asked Ina as she helped her with the glass. 

"It's fine," Ina replied, but her eyes showed how exhausted she looked.

"No, I insist. At least grab a coffee."

She hesitated for a second and glanced at Jane. She gave a small nod as if she were pleading. "Then, I will be back soon, thank you," she said softly.

"No issues, go on now," Avy gave a warm smile.

𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁