The pale morning light filtered through the curtains, but Eva hadn't slept a single moment.
Her eyes burned with exhaustion as she lay on the bed, her body still weak.
She turned her head, searching for the warmth beside her, but instead found Kyel lying stiffly on the very edge of the bed, his back facing her.
The distance between them felt like a wall she couldn't climb.
Eva exhaled a soft sigh into the silence.
Her gaze lingered on him.
"Kyel… how long are you staying like this?" her voice was tender, coaxing. "You'll fall from the bed.
"You've been lying like this since last night."
"Come closer."
But instead of moving toward her, Kyel shifted further away.
Eva's lips parted. "Kye—" She let out another weary sigh, her chest aching.
What do I do? she thought, gathering the courage to crawl closer.
Reaching out a trembling hand, she whispered, "Honey, listen—"
"Don't touch me." His voice was low, sharp.
Her hand froze midair. "Let me at least touch yo—"
"No. Stay away from me."
The words cut deeper than she expected. She swallowed her hurt, trying again. "Look at me."
"No…"
"I told you it's not your fault—"
Kyel's voice cracked. "It's my fault. I pushed you to your limit."
Eva shook her head, desperate. "No… no, please listen. It's my fault. I was the one who told you to go all out.
"I just… couldn't handle you. I was too weak—"
"You are not weak. It's my fault."
Her chest tightened with helplessness. No matter what she said, his guilt only grew heavier.
Crawling closer despite his warnings, Eva whispered again, "Kye—"
"I told you to stay away from me." His jaw tightened. "Or I'll hurt you again."
Her heart ached at the torment in his voice. "Honey, I'm not hurt."
"I even took the medicine you gave me."
I told you a hundred times—i'm okay"
"Three hours."
Her brows knitted. "…What?"
"You were unconscious for three hours," his voice shook, anger laced with fear. "You are not fine."
Eva's breath hitched. She softened her tone, reaching for him with her words alone. "I know… but it's not your fault, Kyel.
"Will you please stop blaming yourself?"
His shoulders trembled. "Princess, you have no idea how terrifying it was for me when you suddenly fainted."
"You weren't opening your eyes. I didn't know what to do. I was afraid—what if something happened to you?"
"I was so scared, Eva," his voice cracked.
Her eyes filled with warmth at his confession. "I'm sorry for making you worry."
"But, honey, I'm fine right now. See?"
She wiggled her feet to prove it, but a sharp pain surged through her lower body, forcing a gasp out of her. "Ahh—"
Kyel flinched, then instinctively moved even further from her, as though her pain was a punishment.
Eva closed her eyes in defeat. Damn it…
"It just hurts a little," she tried again, forcing a smile that trembled.
"But I'm not in that much pain. Look at me, I'll show you."
"Honey, look at me."
At last, Kyel turned his head, meeting her eyes.
A soft smile broke on her lips. "You're finally looking at me."
"Wait—let me show you that I'm fine."
Ignoring the throbbing ache, Eva pushed herself up and stood on unsteady legs. "See?"
But her body betrayed her. Her knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor before she could take a step.
Kyel's eyes widened. His heart plummeted.
He turned away, pulling the sheet over his face as if to hide from his own sin. "You're hurt, Eva."
"Because of me, you can't even stand properly."
Eva sat on the floor, her head hanging low, shame and pain pressing down on her. "Why does this have to be now?"
Her hand instinctively clutched her stomach as another wave of pain tore through her.
"Why is it still hurting so much? Why isn't the medicine working?"
Her breathing grew uneven. "Kyel—"
He didn't look.
Tears pricked her eyes as she cried out again, more desperate this time. "Kyel!"
His head snapped toward her. The sight of her, trembling on the floor, clutching her stomach, broke him.
He rushed to her side. "Eva, what's wrong?"
Eva's tears finally fell. "Take me to a physician… I can't take it anymore."
She grabbed his hand tightly, her knuckles white. "It hurts so much."
Kyel's face drained of color. Panic seized him. "O-okay…" His voice cracked as he scooped her into his arms.
Without wasting a breath, he carried her swiftly out the door, heading straight for the physician.
---
Kyel burst into the physician's chamber, his arms locked tightly around Eva. Her face was pale, her body trembling in pain against his chest.
"Please, help my wife," he pleaded, laying her down carefully on the cot.
The physician quickly examined her.
Eva flinched at his touch but managed a faint smile toward Kyel, trying to ease the terror on his face.
After a moment, the physician handed her a calming draught.
"Drink this," he said gently. "It will help with the pain."
Eva obeyed, and within minutes her breathing slowed. Her eyes fluttered half-closed, exhaustion weighing her down.
The physician turned to Kyel, then glanced at Eva's weakened state. His voice softened, "She'll be fine, but I need a word with you—alone."
Kyel frowned. "She needs me—"
"She will rest. This will not take long," the physician said firmly.
Kyel reluctantly followed him into the next room, his hands clenched into fists.
The old man's expression turned grave. "Her pain is not from illness, but from intimacy. Her body was pushed too far."
Kyel froze, his ears burning, shame and guilt knotting his chest. "I… I didn't mean to hurt her."
The physician's gaze was firm but not unkind. "I know. But you must learn to hold back, young man. If you continue like this, you'll harm her severely. Her fainting was her body's warning."
Kyel's throat tightened. "What do I do?"
"For now," the physician said plainly, "you must not share a husband and wife relationship for at least fifteen days. Give her body time to recover. Do you understand?"
Kyel lowered his head, jaw clenched, face red with shame. "I… understand."
"Good. And when the time comes again—control yourself. Do not push her beyond what she can bear. Love is not proven through force."
Kyel nodded silently, guilt heavy in his chest.