Killian pulled Hailey into his arms, his hands firm but gentle against her trembling back. The moment her body pressed into his, a sharp jolt of worry ran through him.
She was burning up.
He leaned back to look at her. "You have a fever," he said, voice laced with concern. Without waiting for her to respond, he turned and began searching for her bag. "I'm sending you home."
"No," she said hoarsely, arms tightening around herself. Her voice cracked, her throat raw from the screaming earlier. "I'm not going anywhere. I have to be here for Aiden."
He turned toward her, eyes flickering with frustration and helplessness. Her skin was pale, lips dry, eyes red-rimmed. She looked like she could collapse any second, but her stubbornness stood taller than her body ever could.
"Hailey…" he started, exhaling.
"I need to be here," she said again, softer this time, as if convincing herself more than him. "I have to be."
