Chapter 50

**Chapter 50**

**Aria’s POV**

I tilted my head, desperately wishing for the warmth of her touch to wash over me, to soothe the aching void within, to restore some semblance of normalcy. Yet, there was nothing—only the emptiness of the room and the oppressive silence that hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Suddenly, I was jolted awake, my stomach growling in protest, a harsh reminder of my state. The cold draft from the cracked window sent shivers racing across my skin, cutting through me like icy fingers. I should have closed it, but the thought felt too monumental, too demanding. The fever had consumed me, and I had succumbed to a haze of exhaustion, my muscles aching as if they were made of lead.

Reaching up, I pressed my palm against my forehead, wincing at the searing heat radiating from my skin. It felt as if a fire burned within me. My body lay heavy and immobile, encased in a shell that refused to budge. I stared blankly at the ceiling above, my thoughts swirling in a thick fog that felt impenetrable.

For a fleeting moment, I longed to return to that dream—a place of warmth and comfort where the weight of the world was absent, where nothing mattered and everything felt right.

I yearned for the innocence of my childhood, a time before the hardships, the cold shoulders, and the endless sting of slights. I craved the days when I would bask in the unconditional love of my grandmother, feeling safe and cherished.