45. There is Something Different

Gerald emerged shortly afterward, a towel hanging low on his hips. Ariana went back into the bathroom to replace him. "Where are you going?" Gerald asked, confused. Ariana didn't answer; she just went in and started cleaning herself again.

Less than five minutes later, Ariana returned to the room, her body shivering and her fingers wrinkled. Gerald was sitting on the bed, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and pajama pants. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned. Ariana just nodded and walked back to the walk-in closet, grabbing her own sleepwear.

She clearly wasn't alright now. Wasn't she running a fever just yesterday? And today, correction, tonight, she had already drenched herself in the bathroom three times.

Ariana quickly dressed, choosing clothes randomly. As a result, she ended up wearing a thin silk nightgown. Fortunately, the bottom of the gown touched her ankles, although the top almost revealed her chest. But Ariana promptly covered it with a matching robe.

When she stepped