Chapter 1

I crashed hard onto the icy tiles of the hallway floor, my limbs seizing in violent, uncontrollable spasms.

The chaotic chatter of the corridor was instantly drowned out by a deafening, high-pitched ringing in my ears. The footsteps and voices of nearby students and parents warped, growing distant and muffled, as if filtered through a thick layer of cotton.

I desperately tried to lift my head, aching to call out for my mother, Marie Wilcox, but my neck felt so heavy. No sound would come. Only hot, silent tears spilled uncontrollably from the corners of my eyes, tracking down my face.

A familiar voice pierced through the ringing. "Ashley, are you okay?"

Seeing me sprawled on the ground, he rushed over to help me up, only to recoil in shock as another violent tremor racked my body.

"Don't... touch me," I gasped, using every ounce of my remaining strength to squeeze out a breathless whisper. "I'm fine. Please, don't tell the teachers, and don't tell my mom."

The deep-seated terror of her wrath gripped me even now; if she found out, she would only accuse me of faking it to avoid the exam, subjecting me to another cruel round of screaming and punishment.

Blake knit his brows, his eyes swimming with panic. "How is this fine? You're having a seizure! Hold on, I'm going to get your mom right now!"

He turned to bolt toward the examination room, but I desperately clamped my fingers onto the hem of his shirt, my grip vice-like despite my fading strength.

"Don't go, please..." My voice fractured into a weak sob as my consciousness continued to splinter. "She won't believe me. She'll just yell."

Right then, Marie's impatient voice rang out from inside the examination room. "Blake Nash! Why haven't you come inside for your checkup yet? I've called out twice."

She stepped out into the corridor, her eyes instantly landing on my convulsing form on the floor, my hand tightly grasping Blake's shirt. In an instant, her expression darkened, her gaze burning with a toxic mixture of disgust and fury.

"Just how long do you intend to keep up this pathetic act?" she snapped, her stiletto heels clicking against the tile as she strode over.

Stopping right beside me, she looked down with disdain. "Dragging your classmates into your little dramas? You're getting increasingly creative at avoiding your responsibilities, aren't you?"

Blake scrambled to his feet, trying desperately to shield me. "Dr. Wilcox, Ashley isn't acting! She's really having a seizure. Look at her! She's completely pale."

"What do you know about medical matters?" Marie cut him off. "Do you honestly think I don't know my own daughter? Her laziness is just flaring up because she wants to get out of the physical exam.

"Now that I've called her out, she's intentionally staging a collapse to garner sympathy and manipulate you into lying for her!"

Blake intended to protest, but the sheer, glacial malice in Marie's glare made him flinch. He took a hesitant step backward, completely cowed, and ultimately didn't dare utter another syllable.

Terrified and overwhelmed, he turned and bolted down the hall.

Marie bent down. Without an ounce of maternal gentleness, she grabbed the back of my collar and yanked my trembling body straight up off the cold floor.