Just as the first light of dawn crept in, Caleb shook me awake.
I groaned and tried to push him off, but he only chuckled and leaned down to press a quick kiss to my lips.
Instantly, all my weariness vanished. I wanted to push him, slap him even, but restrained myself just in time.
“Morning, my sleepy little star?” he teased.
I turned my face away, wiping my lips with distaste.
“It’s the weekend. Why can’t you let me sleep in?” I grumbled, dragging myself upright.
Caleb’s expression softened into one of helpless concern. “Did you even realize you ran a fever last night? Come on, get up. I’m taking you to the doctor.”
I paused, studying him. Was he acting out the role of a caring boyfriend, or did he genuinely care about me? The worry etched on his face was real, yet it didn’t feel like it was truly directed at me.
Still, I couldn’t argue, so I reluctantly followed.
In the clinic’s hallway, we almost collided with Marina. She was limping slightly, clearly having hurt her foot, and struggling to make her way down the corridor.
Caleb, who had been so gentle moments before with me, immediately furrowed his brow.
Without even looking at me, he hurried to Marina’s side, supporting her carefully.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.
Marina glanced past him toward me and smiled faintly. “Just a sprained ankle. Funny coincidence—you’re here for a checkup too?”
Caleb froze for a heartbeat, glancing back at me with an expression I recognized all too well: guilt hiding behind composure. It had always been there when Marina appeared, but now it was glaringly obvious.
“Yeah,” he said quickly, adjusting his posture. “My… friend’s little sister had a fever, so I brought her along for a check-up.”
I wasn’t surprised. I shouldn’t have been. Ever since Caleb refused to make our relationship public, I had been “the younger sister of a friend”—no one outside his inner circle knew the truth.
Marina nodded. “Of course you have to take care of her. I’ll manage, you two go ahead.” She gestured toward another wing of the clinic.
Without hesitation, Caleb scooped her into his arms. “I’ll get you over there. Valencia, wait here.”