Chapter 4: The Governor’s Son

The next day, fever burning through me, I could barely move. My stepsister, terrified of catching something before her next big event, mercifully ignored me.

I forced myself out of the house, each step down the driveway making my head throb, sweat prickling under my thrift store sweater even though the air was freezing. No way could I afford an Uber.

I needed a doctor—maybe the free clinic would see me without insurance. But as I turned onto Main Street, the world spun. My legs felt like overcooked spaghetti, and I nearly collapsed.

A black Town Car screeched to a halt. The driver leaned on the horn. Before I could react, strong arms yanked me out of the street and into a warm, expensive-smelling embrace—Tom Ford cologne, probably.

Suddenly, those holographic comments flickered in the air again, only I could see them.

【Even though I know the baby will be saved by the Governor's son, I still can't help worrying】

【How could the stepsister bear to torment such a well-behaved and obedient baby!】

“Miss, what’s wrong?” a deep voice asked, concern breaking through my fever haze.

I couldn’t answer. The world blurred, and everything went black.

When I woke, I was wrapped in a silk comforter—real silk, not the polyester knockoff from Target. It was so warm, I almost cried.

I curled up, sinking deeper into the cloud-soft mattress. I hadn’t felt this warm in years.

A gentle but insistent hand pulled me upright. “Drink this before sleeping.”

I blinked up at dim golden light filtering through heavy curtains. Someone pressed a cup to my lips. The smell was sharp—Chinese herbal medicine.

I gulped it down, wincing. I made a face. So bitter. My whole face twisted involuntarily.

But I swallowed. Getting better meant I could work again. Only by drinking medicine would I get better.

Before I could protest, a piece of candy was popped into my mouth. The butterscotch melted—rich and sweet, buttery crumbs dissolving on my tongue.

It was the first real candy I’d ever tasted. I let it melt slowly, savoring every second.

As I drifted off, the taste of butterscotch lingering, I wondered if I’d finally found a place where kindness wasn’t just a rumor.