Aster sighed as she prepared to join her mother in housekeeping for the ridiculously wealthy Mr. Forester and his son, Ransom. True, it was an annoying, tiring, and frustrating job but at least it payed well. Even better for her, Mr. Forester was away on a business trip and only Ransom was in the house. She glanced at the luxurious surroundings and sighed, feeling trapped in this golden cage of wealth and privilege.

“Well, might as well get this over with.”

Aster checked the list left for her of tasks and rolled her eyes at the first thing.

“Breakfast for the spoiled prince of the house.”

She went to the kitchen and collected the heavily laden breakfast tray and struggled up to Ransom’s study. Knocking on the door, Aster opened the door and placed the tray down inside. She blinked in surprise when she looked around and saw no one. For all of Ransom’s faults he was almost always prompt. She rang the bell connected to his room and began tidying up the study while she waited.

After a short wait Ransom emerged from the door on the far side of the room. Aster winced when she saw him. He looked terrible, dark bruses under his eyes, fever flushed skin, and trembling slightly.

Aster ducked her head, “I brought breakfast.”

Ransom tipped his head in a nod, “Thank you.”

He stumbled over to the table and sat reaching for a bite of food before grimaced and putting the fork down.

Aster restrained herself from rolling her eyes, “Is the food not to your liking?”

Ransom closed his eyes tiredly, “It’s not that, I just don’t think eating is the best idea right now.”

Aster noted that his left arm was wrapped tightly around his stomach. She softened slightly, he looked truly miserable.

“Maybe you should get some rest.”

Ransom sighed, “I have to complete my studies first.”

“If you try and push yourself you’re just going to get worse.”

Ransom shook his head weakly, "I can't afford to rest right now.”

Losing her patience, Aster marched over to the desk and looked at the work Ransom was so desperate to complete.

“This is your father’s work.” Aster exclaimed incredulously.

“He asked me to complete it.”

Aster shook her head, “Surely he wouldn’t ask you to do this if he knew you were sick.”

Ransom glanced down at the papers, his expression pained. His silence told Aster everything she needed to know.

“Well never mind that, you are going to get some rest before you get worse and I have to call an ambulance.”

“Aright.”

Ransom finally agreed and shakily walked back to his room.

While he rested Aster searched the house and found some fever reducer and asked the cook for a light broth to bring back. After about two hours later she made her way back to the room and knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Ransom sounded even more exhausted.

Aster pushed the door open and stepped inside, to her dismay Ransom looked even worse than before.

“Were you able to rest?”

“Not much,” He sighed, “It’s okay.”

Aster set the medicine and the broth on the bedside table, “Do you think you can eat something?”

He grimaced, “I don’t think so.”

Aster bit her lip in worry, Ransom was only going to get weaker and she didn’t know how to help.

“You all have a family doctor don’t you? Should I call them?”

Ransom flinched violently, “No! You can’t call her.” His eyes were wide with fear and he was breathing heavily.

“Okay, I won’t,” Aster soothed, “Why though.”

“She’s not… Good.” He was shaking slightly.

“As a doctor or as a person?” Aster asked quietly.

“As a person. She…” Ransom forced himself to continue, “She always wanted to examine me alone, always asked the most uncomfortable of questions.”

Aster realised what Ransom meant, “Did she ever?”

“No,” He whispered, “It never went that far.”

Aster's heart raced. She had to find a way to help Ransom without involving the family doctor.

“We won’t call her, but you need help. Would you be okay with my mom helping? She’s not actually a doctor but she is an adult.”

Ransom laughed softly, “And here I thought you were doing just fine.”

Aster rolled her eyes though she felt less annoyed than usual.

“Ok,” He whispered, “That’s fine.”

Aster dashed and retrieved her mother, bringing her back to Ransom’s room. He looked even worse of than when she left. He was curled up on his side, face twisted in pain and tear tracks on his face.

“We’re back.” She told him.

Her mother began bustling around, checking his temperature and trying to make him more comfortable.

When he finally blinked up at them his eyes were glassy with fever.

“Dad?” He rasped, “you came back?”

Aster’s heart broke, what use was all the money in the world if you wouldn’t even stay by your son’s side.

“I’m sorry Ransom, it’s just us.”

Aster couldn't bear the look of hurt in Ransom's eyes as he mistook her mother for his absent father, his grey eyes filled with tears and he curled in on himself again.

Aster and her mother exchanged glances realizing that there was no way they were leaving Ransom now, not until he got better or his father returned.

They stayed with him all throughout the night, fighting to keep his fever from rising and him from breaking. Both Aster and her mother tried desperately to contact his father but were met with nothing.

Morning came and Ransom was more aware, the fever lesser.

“How are you feeling?” Aster’s mother asked.

"I-I've been better," Ransom mumbled weakly, managing a small, pained smile.

Aster huffed, “I can imagine.”

“What do you remember off last night?”

Ransom thought for a moment, “Not much, I just remember a feeling of fear, wanting something.”

“Your fever was dangerously high, it’s no surprise that your memory is foggy.” Aster’s mother hesitated for a minute, “You asked for your father.”

Ransom winced, “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize,” Aster expression darkened, “He should have been there.”

Aster reached for his hand, wishing she could ease the shattered expression in his eyes.

“Do you think you could eat something?” Her mother asked.

Ransom shrugged, “I can try.”

Aster went down to speak to the chef, leaving her mother speaking quietly with Ransom.

Around forty five minutes had passed before Aster had food in hand and was ready to return to Ransom and her mother. She pushed open the door to find her mother with her arm around Ransom’s shoulders as he shook with sobs.

“Money doesn’t change the fact that he abandoned you. The fact that he hired an expensive doctor and an expensive assistant doesn’t change the fact that he left his son, knowing you were sick. It’s okay to feel hurt and betrayed, he is your father and his first priority should be his son.”

Aster placed the tray of food on the bedside table and quietly moved to Ransom's other side, wrapping an arm around him.

“You’re not alone, I promise. I can’t say anything for your father but I can promise that we will be with you.”

Ransom calmed slowly, relaxing against the pillows. Aster winced, concerned at how weak he was.

He reached for the soup, hands shaking and to several slow bites. Grimacing, he put the bowl down again, hand coming up to cover his mouth.

“Food is still a no?” Aster asked.

“At least I tried,” Ransom mumbled, a hint of disappointment in his voice before letting out a heavy sigh.

“It was a good attempt.” Aster’s mother soothed, worry clouding her eyes. He hadn’t eaten in far too long and his illness was sapping his strength.

“Try and rest, maybe you’ll feel better.”

“I’ve been resting since yesterday.”

Aster’s mother huffed, “You’re sick and need rest, don’t complain.”

Ransom’s exhaustion seemed to get the better of him and he closed his eyes.

“Just rest, we’ll be in your study if you need us.”

Aster and her mother slipped quietly out of the room, leaving him to hopefully sleep in peace. Unfortunately, half an hour after they left they heard a thud coming from the bedroom. When they reentered they found Ransom on the ground curled up in pain.

Aster moved to his side, “What happened?”

“Fell.” He ground out.

“What hurts?” Aster’s mother asked.

“Everything?” He curled up tighter, stifling a sob.

(There’s more to this story, it’s just in my head and I’m having a hard time translating it to words so I wanted to post the first part in the meantime.)