Chapter 56 A Fall into the Pit, a Gain in Your Wit
Caroline's eyelids fluttered open to find Leopold crouched before her, his forehead creased with worry. Her fever-addled brain immediately jumped to the most logical conclusion—she was hallucinating.
"Erica, I think I'm seeing things," she mumbled, voice trailing off as reality clicked into place. She straightened up, blinking rapidly. "Leopold?"
He clasped her hand, his eyes widening at the heat radiating from her palm. The back of his hand found her forehead in that instinctive, caretaking gesture. "You're burning up."
Caroline turned away, her stubborn streak showing even through the fever. "It's nothing."
"Nothing my ass." Leopold's jaw tightened as he pulled her to her feet, turning to Erica. "The hotel staff is prepping your rooms. They'll bring your luggage up later. I'm taking Caroline to see a doctor."
"I'm coming too," Erica said, quickly falling into step behind them.
Leopold ushered Caroline into the executive car that the hotel had sent for airport pickups. During the ride, she kept insisting it wasn't serious—just a fever that some Tylenol could fix.
"Not happening," Leopold said, his brow furrowing deeper as he brushed a strand of hair from her flushed face. "You're practically a walking furnace right now."
"You're exaggerating," Caroline protested weakly.
Seated beside her, Erica's face crumpled with guilt. "This is all my fault, Caroline. If I hadn't dragged you around sightseeing while you were already getting sick—"
"Stop," Caroline interrupted, her voice softening. "Everyone catches a winter cold now and then. It's not a big deal."
The car pulled up at the hospital entrance. Leopold was out first, circling around to open Caroline's door. After completing the registration forms, he guided her toward the ER, his fingers intertwined with hers. The doctor confirmed it was nothing serious—just a standard fever—and prescribed some medication before sending them on their way.
On the drive back, Leopold suddenly pulled over at a pharmacy.
"Where are you going?" Erica asked.
"Fever patches," he answered simply before disappearing inside.
The two women watched his retreating figure through the window. Erica nudged Caroline's arm. "He's good to you. This boyfriend's a keeper."
Caroline, drowsy from medication but still sharp-minded, cracked one eye open. "Taking me to a doctor and buying fever patches impresses you? Seriously?"
"You're not impressed?"
Caroline grabbed Erica's chin, forcing her to make eye contact. "Stop mistaking basic decency for exceptional behavior. This is the bare minimum. If he can't handle something this simple, how could I trust him with anything important?"
Erica's eyebrow shot up. "Look at you, learning from that trash ex of yours. Growth!"
Caroline closed her eyes again, leaning against Erica's shoulder. "Stay still. I need a nap."
Erica touched Caroline's cheek. "Why isn't your fever breaking? You took medicine already."
Caroline nearly laughed. "I took fever medicine, not some magical potion from a fantasy novel. Give it time to work, would you?"
Erica snorted. "If you're still sassy, you must be fine."
"That's what I've been saying," Caroline muttered without opening her eyes. "A little medicine and rest is all I need. You two are the ones who insisted on the hospital drama."
Erica glanced out the window. "Here he comes."
Leopold climbed back into the car and immediately handed a fever patch to Erica. "Help her put this on, please."
Erica took it with a mischievous grin. "Sure thing. Anything for your sweetheart."
The word "sweetheart" only intensified the heat in Caroline's cheeks. She gave Erica a light shove while her friend stifled a laugh and applied the cooling patch to her forehead.
Leopold started the engine, driving with extra care to avoid jostling his feverish passenger.
At the hotel entrance, Leopold helped Caroline from the car, noticing the fine sheen of sweat along her hairline and neck. "Even though Pinecrest is warmer than Seaside, catching a chill here can be worse. I've asked the kitchen to prepare some hot cocoa for you. They'll bring it up soon. Try to stay awake until then."
Caroline nodded weakly, lacking the energy to argue.
At the elevator, Leopold handed the key card to Erica. "You two go ahead. I'll check on that cocoa."
As the elevator doors closed, Caroline leaned against the wall, eyes shut. All she wanted was a soft bed and oblivion.
Inside the suite, everything had been prepared—fresh flowers on the table, their luggage and handbags neatly arranged by the wall.
Caroline staggered to the bedroom and face-planted onto the bed, not even bothering to pull up the covers before drifting off.
Erica hurried after her. "Don't sleep yet! Leopold's bringing hot cocoa, remember?"
"So tired," Caroline mumbled. "Just wake me when he gets here."
Seeing how exhausted she was, Erica tucked the blankets around her.
Seven or eight minutes later, a knock came at the door. Erica rushed to answer it, relief washing over her face.
"Finally," she said. "Caroline crashed the second we got back. Said to wake her when you arrived."
Leopold approached the bed, leaning down to check on Caroline. Her bangs were damp with sweat, her cheeks flushed crimson. He placed the thermos of cocoa on the nightstand and tested her temperature with the back of his hand.
"How is she?" Erica asked anxiously.
"Not as hot as before," he said, pulling a thermometer from his pocket. "Keep this handy. Check her temperature when she wakes up."
Erica nodded. "Should I wake her now?"
"Let her rest," Leopold said, tugging the blanket lower. "She'll cool down faster without being bundled up."
After giving Erica a few more instructions, he left.
Caroline slept until midnight, waking to complete darkness. She sat up, fumbling for the bedside lamp.
When the light clicked on, she squinted against the sudden brightness. Erica, hearing movement, hurried in from the other room.
"Caroline? Are you awake?"
"Yeah," Caroline croaked. "Thirsty. Water?"
"Coming right up." Erica quickly returned with a glass. "Here you go."
Caroline drained the entire glass, then noticed the thermos on the nightstand. "What's that?"
"Hot cocoa from Leopold. He didn't want us to wake you when he brought it." Erica took the empty glass. "Want more water?"
Caroline shook her head, leaning back against the headboard. "I'm fine now. Go back to sleep."
"I'll stay with you a while," Erica insisted, perching on the edge of the bed. "Hungry?"
Now that she mentioned it, Caroline realized her stomach felt hollow after missing dinner.
"Get the cookies from my bag," she said, pointing to her coffee-colored purse. "There should be half a pack left."
"Forget cookies. Leopold arranged a midnight snack for us, anticipating you'd wake up hungry. It should still be warm. I'll check." Erica headed for the door.
Only then did Caroline grab her phone from beside her pillow. Leopold had messaged her on WhatsApp just ten minutes earlier.
North: [Tell me what you want to eat. I'll bring it first thing tomorrow.]
Caroline typed back: [Can't taste anything. Don't want to eat.]
His reply came instantly, suggesting he was still awake.
North: [You need to eat to keep your strength up. Food equals recovery fuel.]