once katya became bedridden due to her illness, lydia was immediately called to her side. the worried mother wasted no time in rushing to her daughter, not bothering to change out of her travel frock before she tended to her.
after a thorough examination, lydia turned away and stared at her trembling hands, quiet sobs coming out of her mouth. lisette couldn't contain her worry any longer. "please, tell us the diagnosis, mrs. miotke", she asked with a quivering voice, holding back tears herself. lydia sighed deeply before speaking, as if her saying it out loud would make it true. "...it must be the epidemic going around", she finally said, her voice heavy with dread. "the symptoms are awfully similar." nathanael, also in the bedchamber, finally spoke up. "the spanish influenza...? are you sure?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"regrettably, i am quite certain, nathanael", lydia responded, her tone tinged with irritation as she fixed her gaze on her son-in-law. "based on most other cases, she will not have long." her words carried a piercing glare as she spoke. although nathanael couldn't know for sure, he couldn't help but guess what the concerned mother was asking him to do. he shuddered at the thought - seeing her, face to face - but knew it had to be done.
