Morning came too quickly.
Lina barely slept.
Still, she woke up before sunrise, preparing a simple meal while checking her mother's temperature.
"…It's still high," she whispered.
"I'm okay," her mother said weakly. "You should go to work."
"I will," Lina smiled gently. "But I'll come back early today."
Her younger brother looked up from the table.
"Ate… are we going to the hospital again?"
Lina paused.
For a moment—
Her smile faltered.
"…Soon," she said softly.
After leaving the house, Lina walked alone.
The weight she always carried felt heavier today.
Hospital bills.
Medicine.
Rent.
Food.
And now—
The fear of losing everything.
She clenched her fists.
"I just have to work harder," she whispered to herself.
"Just a little more…"
By the time she reached the company—
Her smile was back.
As if nothing was wrong.
As if everything was fine.
But this time—
Someone could see through it.