Love, Aurélie | REGULUS BLACK

Epilogue

—
[EPILOGUE]
—

"THAT'S THE LAST OF IT," said Édouard as he dropped the box on the floor of the main room in the small flat.

"Thank you for all your help," said Aurélie as she entered the room once again. She had a hand against her chest.

"I'm glad to have been able to help you," said Édouard.

"Are you hungry? Thirsty?" asked Aurélie, "Let me treat you."

"No, it's alright. I was the one who decided to help you. I'm never home anyway."

There it was again, the pressure on her chest. She wasn't sure how to describe it. Could she say it felt as if a giant was sitting on her chest? No, a giant could crush her with their hand as if she were a fly.

"Still, you took time out of your day to help me move in. It's been a few hours, you must be craving something," said Aurélie.

"Odette!" called Mei as she stumbled inside. Mei had insisted on accompanying her and staying with her for a few days. Despite her excuse of being bored, Aurélie knew she was just avoiding her mother ever since she broke the expensive vase in the living room.

"Mei, I told you that I want to go by my real name now," said Aurélie.

"Right, right, sorry, it's just so hard. I'm so used to calling you Odette, you know?"

"It'll take time, I know," said Aurélie.

"Is it really safe to return to your real name?" asked Édouard, concern laced his voice.

"Don't worry, Édouard, I'll be fine."

Aurélie turned around and winced. No, it was much more than just pressure now. It was a burning sensation in her chest. Did it come from her lungs or heart? She didn't know, but all she knew that she was sick. She was fine that morning, why all of a sudden? Should she call out Cassia? No, she couldn't. Not when she was with company.

She was having trouble breathing properly. She took in a large amount of air, only to cough.

"Hey, are you okay?" asked Mei as she approached Aurélie, who was in the kitchen.

"Yea—" Aurélie bent over the sink as she had a coughing fit.

Mei stared st her with worry as she grabbed Aurélie's arm lightly. As Aurélie coughed, she began to spit out a liquid. Mei grabbed her hair as Aurélie calmed down. Aurélie stared at the liquid in the sink. It was water and it smelled awful. Aurélie shook her head and turned on the faucet to wash off the sink.

"What's the matter? Are you okay?" asked Mei.

"Yeah, I think so —" Aurélie's stomach dropped. She shut the faucet, "Just a little sick."