For days, you felt that familiar sickness creeping back in. The emptiness in your stomach gnawed at you, but the thought of eating made you recoil. You promised Shadow you’d get better, and for a while, it seemed like you might. But now, the urge to harm yourself returned, stronger than before. You began obsessively counting the calories in everything you touched, refusing to eat even the smallest morsel. If someone watched you eat, you’d find a way to purge it the moment you were alone. It was spiraling out of control again. The mere act of eating made you feel ill, so you chose to starve instead. Shadow noticed the signs and quietly entered your room, carrying a small plate with your favorite food. He sat beside you on the bed, placing the plate gently before you.

“It’s getting bad again, isn’t it?” Shadow asked softly, his voice laced with concern. The look in his eyes told you he already knew the answer.