Chapter 991

Skylar, having visited only a few days prior, easily found Natalie's room. After knocking twice, she heard Natalie's hoarse, sick voice: "Who is it?"

Natalie lay in bed, feeling weak and drained. Even getting up to open the door seemed exhausting. She guessed the visitor was likely a colleague; some had gone out for fun, unable to stay cooped up in the hotel. She would have joined them, if not for her illness. She'd been fine that morning; who would have thought she'd be sick now?

"It's me. Open the door," Skylar's voice called from the other side.

Natalie's eyes brightened. "Skylar?" The voice was unmistakably her friend's. Immediately, she dragged herself out of bed and to the door.

"My dear Skye! What are you doing here?" Tears of gratitude welled in Natalie's eyes as she opened the door and saw Skylar.

Skylar frowned at Natalie's pale face. "Have you taken your temperature? Any medicine? I have some with me; something for a cold, I think."

"No, I haven't. I think it's just a common cold and fever. I'll be fine by tomorrow if I sleep it off," Natalie replied, hugging Skylar and leaning on her for support as they slowly returned to the bed.

Skylar looked at her helplessly. "You couldn't take care of yourself in college, and you still can't? Do you have a thermometer?"

"Yes, it's in that small first-aid kit. I packed it for Mr. Powell; he often gets injured. There's a thermometer in there." Natalie pointed to a small kit on the table.

Skylar found the thermometer and handed it to Natalie. Though groggy, Natalie's mind remained clear. "Did something happen between you and Joe? Did he bully you?"

"There's nothing between us. Even if there were, it wouldn't matter. Don't worry about me. You're what matters now. I think you have a high fever, judging by your forehead."

Skylar rummaged through her bag and found some fever medicine.

Natalie worriedly asked, "Are you sure nothing's wrong?"

"What could be wrong? We didn't marry for love in the first place. Now, let me see that thermometer."

Natalie retrieved the thermometer and handed it to Skylar. Her lips twitched after checking the temperature. "102 degrees."

"No wonder my head's spinning and I feel so weak. Seems like I have a fever," Natalie said, feeling helpless. Her health was in terrible shape. She vowed to start exercising once she recovered.

"Take the medicine and drink plenty of warm water," Skylar advised.

Natalie could only nod obediently. "I'll do whatever you say."

After taking the medicine, Natalie felt better, her fever gradually subsiding.

"I'll go get us some lunch. You can rest," Skylar said, noticing it was already 1:00 pm.

Natalie, drowsy and with little appetite, simply nodded. Skylar left the hotel and went to a nearby restaurant. She ordered two chicken soups and boiled vegetables. While waiting, she received a call from Joe. Seeing his name on her phone screen, she hesitated before answering.