-_-_-♡-_-_-
Esme had finished making up the concoction for Althea, and she watched as Althea drank every last drop without even the slightest hesitation. Guilt twisted in Esme's chest as she wondered how she had not noticed Althea's condition sooner.
Silently berating herself for it, she moved to sit beside her.
"You'll need to take this daily," Esme instructed gently, her voice soft with pure concern. "At least for the entire week. We'll monitor your sleeping schedule from now on till the end of the week. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to come to me. I'll do whatever I can to help you. Try to get some rest, alright?"
Althea set her empty bowl on the table, her fingers lingering on its edge before her gaze shifted to Esme. For a fleeting moment, a glimmer of gratitude surfaced in her eyes, breaking through the shadows of her exhaustion and worry. But the solemnity quickly returned as she stared down at the bowl she had so desperately drained.
