Something wasn't right

Emmaline sat in a chair next to her mother's bed, gently applying some hand cream to her mother's slim hands. 

"I can do that myself, you know," Sera remarked dryly. 

She was sitting up, her hair still glossy and perfect. 

Her face was a little more gaunt since Aaron's visit, but the doctors had assured them that once she started eating more normally, she would gain back the weight in no time. 

Emmaline spent her free time making as many of her mother's favourite things as possible, trying to tempt her to eat with cookies and soft rolls. 

Her plan to knock Ashton's socks off with her charm and winning personality (in Camilla's words), was put on hold. 

He was busier than ever and her first priority would always be family. 

Other than that, Sera had escaped relatively unscathed. 

Her recovery was set back by a week, given the way she had deteriorated due to the stress. 

But she was bouncing back remarkably well.