Her Purpose || Kai Parker

Chapter 64

For the next week, Estrella stayed close to Kai, who had started to show signs of illness that rapidly worsened.

At first, it was just a mild cough, but soon he was coughing up blood.

Panicking, she tried to use her magic to heal him, but to her horror, it didn't work.

"Kai, you need to go to a doctor," She insisted, her voice trembling with worry.

"For the last time, I am not going to the doctor. This is not nor-" he began, but he was cut off by a violent fit of coughing, and this time, more blood spilled from his lips.

Estrella's concern slipped out as she voiced her suspicion, "Do you think Joshua might be behind this?"

Kai, already on edge from the pain and embarrassment, snapped.

"Joshua has nothing to do with this!" His voice was sharper than he meant it to be.

She flinched, her expression shifting to one of hurt.

Seeing the effect of his words, Kai's face softened, and regret washed over him.

With a heavy sigh, he muttered, "I'm sorry, pumpkin. I'm just...cranky, and this-"

He gestured weakly towards the bathroom, clearly embarrassed. "This isn't how I imagined us spending time together."

Without saying a word, she stepped closer, gently running her hand through his hair.

The warmth of his fever radiated beneath her fingers, and she felt him tense for a moment before he began to relax, sighing deeply as the tension in his body melted away.

"Shh," she whispered softly, "It's okay. I'm here."

He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes as a sigh of relief escaped him, the comfort of her presence easing his discomfort like a soothing balm.

But he froze and then stumbled toward the bathroom, flushing the toilet after vomiting.

When he finally straightened up, his face was pale, and his eyes were filled with a rare look of fear.

"Call Jo," he rasped.

Estrella hesitated but obeyed, dialing Jo's number.

At first, Jo declined the call, and her heart sank.

When Kai tried, she hung up as soon as she heard his voice.

Growing more desperate, she pleaded with him to explain what was going on.

He finally relented, his tone uncharacteristically serious.

"I think this might be because of the merge," he admitted, his voice hoarse.

With urgency, Estrella drove Kai to Jo's place, her knuckles white as she gripped the steering wheel.

When they arrived, Alaric opened the door, but his face darkened when he saw Kai.

"Hey, wait, wait, wait!" Kai called out as Alaric tried to shut the door in his face.

Alaric paused, opening the door slightly again. "Look, I know you hate me, but I really... really need to see my sister," he said earnestly.

Alaric's expression remained cold.

"I think she'll pass," he replied, attempting to close the door once more.

But Estrella blocked it with her hand.

"Ric, please," she pleaded, her voice shaky. "Listen, he's not feeling well. I think something's seriously wrong."