**Tiana's POV**
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I had been run over by a horse. My entire body ached, and my head throbbed with a very persistent and sharp pain. Every muscle protested as I tried to shift positions in bed. It felt like I was shaking hands with death, preparing to meet my mother in the afterlife, because even opening my eyes was a difficult task.
I groaned, a sound barely escaping my dry throat. The events of the previous day came rushing back— listening to Fiona's heartless words and trying to prove my worth to Theo's pack. I had overdone it, pushed my body beyond its limits, and now I was paying the price. But then again? What choice did I have? I had this odd feeling that Fiona could have resorted to physical violence if I had not done what she asked of me.
I lay there for what felt like hours, unable to move, my mind a fog of pain and fatigue. Every inch of my body ached, and even the softness of the bed felt like a thousand needles poking into my skin. I can't remember the last time I'd felt so helpless. I was usually strong enough to go through the most tedious of tasks and still have energy the next day to do more chores when I was with my pack.
I have gotten so used to my lazy life here.
Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, there was a soft knock on the door and it creaked open. The sound seemed to keep ringing in my ears, which was quite a nuisance. I managed to tilt my head slightly to see a maid standing in the doorway. She looked quite blurry before my eyes, but I could make out that she was holding something in her hands. It looked like some sort of letter.
"Good morning, Miss Tiana," she said politely, not noticing my condition. "I've brought a letter for you. It's from Master Theo. He invites you to join him for breakfast."
I tried to respond, but my voice was barely a whisper. My throat was dry and sore, and every attempt to speak felt like I was swallowing a thousand razor blades. I wanted to ask her for help, but the words were stuck in my throat.
The maid, mistaking my silence for drowsiness, gave me a kind smile. "I'll leave it here for you," she said, placing the letter on the bedside table. "Please come down when you're ready. He will be waiting."
As she left the room, closing the door gently behind her, I felt a wave of panic. Theo had invited me to breakfast, and I didn't want to disappoint him. But as much as I tried to force myself to move, my body refused to cooperate.
My limbs felt like they were made of wood, and every attempt to sit up was met with sharp, stabbing pain. I clenched my teeth, wishing I was able to speak to the maid and explain that I was in pain and could not attend breakfast with Theo. I wished I was able to tell her that I needed a physician as soon as possible because I felt like I was dying. Slowly and painfully, I managed to pull the blankets off myself and then swing my legs over the side of the bed.
I took a deep breath, using my hands as support as I tried to stand, but as soon as I put weight on my legs, they gave out beneath me. I crumbled to the floor in a heap, my vision getting too hazy. It felt like the world was spinning around me way too fast.
For a moment there, I remained motionless on the floor. I could barely even breathe well. I could only feel the coldness of the floor on my skin and I shook with fever…
My body was shaking, uncontrollably and even when I tried to lift myself up, I realized that I was completely paralyzed. I was physically immobile but still conscious of my surroundings.
I wanted to cry because no one knew I was suffering here and no one would be coming to get me the help I needed.
Time seemed to pass by very slowly while I was trapped in the intensely painful state of my body and mind. I dozed in and out of sleep and with every minute that passed, the pain in my body grew stronger. At some point, I began to count the seconds in my mind and observe the quality of light, so I did not go completely unconscious.
Then, after what seemed like an eternity, I heard another knock at the door. This time, it was followed by a voice—Theo's voice. My heart leaped with joy that I would finally be able to get some help. At the same time, I could feel nervousness in the pit of my stomach. "May I come in?"
I tried to respond, but my throat was dry, and no sound came out. The effort left me gasping, and I lay there, helpless, as the door creaked open very slowly. I could not help but wince at the sound. I had gotten so used to hearing only the sound of my ragged breathing.
"Did the maid not deliver my invite?" Theo's voice was closer now, and I could hear the concern in his tone. "I waited hours."
I struggled to focus, to form words, but it was no use. My body refused to obey, and all I could do was lie there, trembling and silent. Theo stepped into the room— I could hear the sound of his foot on the floor, and so I managed to look up. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on me, crumpled on the floor.
"Tiana!" His voice was sharp with alarm as he rushed to my side. He knelt beside me, his hands gentle as he lifted me into a sitting position. "What happened? Are you alright?”