No matter how hard Alexander tried, he couldn't quell his worry and overwhelming anxiety. He dared not imagine what would happen if Lily were indeed infected. "She's a pregnant woman, for God's sake! How will she cope?"

The call rang repeatedly. Before, he would have waited for her return call, but he couldn't bear another second's delay. Finally, someone answered. A familiar voice. Alexander felt his tension deflate; he almost went limp.

"Hello?" Lily's gentle voice held a note of bewilderment. "What happened?"

She had returned to her rest and found her phone vibrating incessantly. Alexander's repeated calls were unusual; she was puzzled. "Are you... feeling any discomfort?" Alexander asked hesitantly, anxious but careful not to alarm her.

"No," Lily replied, still puzzled. "What's going on?"

Alexander pursed his lips, considering. He briefly explained the situation, omitting the detail of the symbiote's appearance under Dominic's skin, and relayed Dominic's assessment.

Silence followed. Alexander waited, fearing a dropped call, then tentatively said, "Lily?"

"I'm here," Lily said, composing herself. "I understand. So, how's Dominic?"

"His condition seems stable, but I'm no professional." He'd followed Dominic's instructions, but even Austin was uncertain; they knew so little about symbiotes. "How's Galen?" Lily immediately asked about their son.

Alexander rubbed his temples. "He was feverish when I arrived, but his temperature's down, and he seems fine. I think he's not infected."

After a pause, he asked, "What about you? Dominic says it's bloodborne. You treated Austin with acupuncture. You..." His worry intensified with each word.

"I'm alright," Lily interrupted firmly. She understood his panic; she'd been through this before. She remembered her own anxiety when he was in Burnwken, the frantic relief at finding him, her uncertainty about his cure. His concern for her mirrored her own for him.

Lily feared his disbelief. "While it's likely bloodborne, contact doesn't guarantee infection. It's speculation; no one knows for sure. I know my body, and I'm fine," she said confidently, almost reassuring herself as much as him. "You need to take care of yourself over there, okay?"