Burn Me Once, Burn With Me novel Chapter 33

Outside, night had already fallen. Heavy clouds hung low, pressing against the sky—just as tightly as anxiety tangled in Ruby's chest.

Moments later, Ruby burst through the door, clutching her baby in her arms, panic written all over her face. The lights inside blazed brightly.

Pamela was standing by the entryway, holding a small pharmacy bag—the fever medicine Ruby had ordered in advance on her phone. Spotting Ruby, Pamela straightened up immediately. "Ruby, why did you order this kind of medicine? You picked the wrong one—it's capsules. You need the liquid ibuprofen with a dropper for infants! The delivery guy knocked but you weren't home, so I brought it in. Is Mira running a fever?"

As she spoke, Pamela peered down at the baby bundled in blankets, then let out a shrill gasp. "Oh Lord! Mira's burning up, isn't she?"

She slapped her thigh in agitation. "I came home earlier and didn't see you. I thought maybe you got caught in traffic because of the rain, but it turns out the baby's sick and you had to go to the hospital. Wait—if you went to the hospital, why are you buying fever meds yourself?"

Pamela's voice was naturally loud, and when she got worked up, it could rattle the walls. Hearing her, Ruby's eyes filled with tears.

She didn't want to relive what had happened at the hospital.

"There's no time to explain. Pamela, please help me! You've raised kids before—what should I do?"

Ruby gently laid Mira down on the couch, tears pooling in her eyes. Overwhelmed with helplessness, she nearly dropped to her knees.

Pamela jumped in alarm and rushed to pull her up. "Don't do that! We're neighbors and friends—I'll help you, of course! Here's the plan: you go get a basin of warm water, and I'll go round up a few people to lend a hand."

"Don't panic, whatever you do!"

Ruby nodded, tears streaming, and hurried to find a basin.

Pamela wasted no time, knocking on the doors of every woman nearby. Within minutes, a crowd had gathered around Mira's makeshift bed.

"Oh my goodness, a fever this high in one so little—she could be in real danger!"

"My cousin's baby had a fever like this at the same age, and he was never quite the same…"

These near-strangers had gone above and beyond for Mira—while Mira's own father had almost turned his back on her.

A bitter shadow flickered in Ruby's eyes. The irony cut deep.

As if sensing her mother's thoughts, Mira stirred, blinking open her dark, glassy eyes. After finishing her bottle and with her fever gone, she kicked her little legs and reached out to play, babbling softly.

It seemed the fever had passed without any lasting harm.

Ruby finally breathed again, though her nerves were still taut. Quietly, she resolved to take Mira to a proper hospital for a checkup first thing in the morning.

"Look at her—just had a fever, and already she's full of spirit! This one's blessed, I tell you!" Pamela declared, still bustling around despite having done the lion's share of the work.

Ruby glanced at Pamela, her heart swelling with gratitude. Her gaze lingered on Mira, her eyes shining with relief and hope.