Another three hours passed, and we said nothing to each other. Time seemed to stretch on endlessly, as I tried my best not to follow the girls’ every breath, deathly afraid that this one might be their last. The only sounds within our headquarters were the ragged coughing fits from Iris and Lingyi that rattled their entire bodies. I gave them water when I could and continued to try to cool them down with a damp cloth.

In the early evening, Arun stopped midpace and said, “I think they’re looking less feverish.”

I had been watching the girls so closely, my vision felt blurred. I touched Lingyi’s cheek, then Iris’s, then took their temperatures. “They’re both just below 100˚F!”

“Yes!” Arun exclaimed. “The antidote must be working.”

“Thank the gods,” Victor muttered, cracking his knuckles with nervous tension, his gaze focused on Lingyi’s face. He looked ready to collapse to his knees.

Lingyi’s straight, black eyebrows were drawn slightly together, as if she were anxious or vexed. If I had any doubt of Victor’s feelings for her before, I didn’t anymore. I felt for him. Why was it that we so often desired someone we could never have?

Arun rubbed his temples. “We aren’t in the clear yet. These next few hours are critical. But I can’t stand to just watch anymore.” He looked like he’d tug out his own hair if he could. “I’m going to make some rice porridge,” he said. “I have to do something.”

Victor, who considered himself the better chef, followed Arun into the kitchen. I was glad. He needed something to keep himself occupied too. Vic, who was always so blasé about everything, was beside himself with worry.

I listened to the two bang around in the kitchen as they cooked together, and I sat down at the end of Lingyi’s bed, resting a hand on her knee. Some time later, she opened her eyes and stared at me. “Zhou,” she croaked.

“Hey,” I said, smiling, trying to sound normal. My fingertips tingled from overwhelming relief. It felt as if my heart had been in my throat the entire day. “How do you feel?”

“Like shit,” she rasped, then broke into a dry cough.

I went to ease her up and helped her drink some water. She gulped thirstily, then collapsed back on the pillow. Suddenly aware that she was clutching Iris’s hand, she bolted upright again. “Is she okay?” Lingyi asked, frantic. I squeezed her arm, trying to calm her.

“She’ll be fine, boss,” Arun said. “You’re both recovering nicely.” He and Victor had come over the minute they saw Lingyi had woken.

Lingyi eased herself onto her side, so she was facing Iris. “Darling?” she whispered in English, then trailed her fingertips down Iris’s arm, before cupping her face, gentle as a lover. “Iris, my heart, come back to me.” This time in Mandarin.