Chloe woke up after a long while. The pain in her abdomen had eased. The heating pad was no longer warm, but it had already done its job. She tried to sit up, feeling the heaviness in her muscles, but she could only manage to sit on the edge of the mattress.

The door opened, and her housekeeper entered carrying a tray of food.

"Ma'am, are you feeling better?" she asked as she walked toward the table and set down the tray.

"Yes." Chloe gave a brief answer, keeping her eyes on the food the w