The nurse lingered longer than necessary.
At first, it was subtle. A hand adjusting Kendella's pillow that didn't need adjusting. Fingers brushing her shoulder as if checking for comfort, but staying a second too long. Her presence felt… invasive.
Kendella noticed.
Of course she did.
She didn't look at her immediately. Instead, she kept her gaze forward, expression calm, almost bored. But her fingers tightened slightly around the bedsheet.
"You've been hovering," Kendella said quietly.
The nurse chuckled, soft and practiced. "Just making sure you're alright."
Kendella turned her head slowly, her pale green eyes settling on her.
"I'm not dying," she replied.
A pause.
Then a smile from the nurse—polite, but her eyes flickered.
"Well… you caught a fever."
Kendella didn't respond. She simply looked away again.
But the nurse didn't leave.
