dn't b

t porcelain, my knees pulled tight to my chest. The chill seeped through my clothes, b

asn't sobbing yet. I was stuck in that horrible space before it-where your chest tightens so mu

just stayed. Her presence grounded me in a way nothing else could. Every few seconds, he

nk counter, two thin lines stari

new what

" My voice came out smal

raightened like she was bracing herself for impact. When she spoke, her

ntly, "you breathe.

te. I tried to follow, but my lungs

ed, softer now, "you

nd humorless. "I don't e

to know yet. You just have to not punish you

I stared at the floor. "What

n the moment they left

words carefully, the way people do when the

k. This is too much for one moment. We'll go to the hospital, confirm it properly,

chest felt like it w

quiet war had

Days

al test co

gna

ning timelines and blood work and next steps, but everything blurred into noise. I nodded

r w

othing to feel yet-no movement, no sign, no proof beyond in

ago was...

led through me slowl

ll at once. It crept

just about

arms folded across her chest. She hadn't said a word since we left

ounting cracks, shadows, anything that would keep my thoughts from spiraling. I

beside me, both of

t tomorrow looks

w," sh

le myself from him. From th

t answer

s clear to me, e

s no longe

next, I would

o tell him?" Len

eyes. "I d

carefully, "he ha

and violated me," I replied, my voice cr

y, fists clenched at he

eed

w her well enough to know she was already thinkin

llowin

d Julian

number. Then again the next day. Each ring made my stom

red th

on, there was a

for Miss

oment she saw the sender's name. Inside was a simple white

card

everything. Pl

ian

cate pendant necklace. My

n the table l

is fixes it?"

n't a

because I owed him anything-but because I needed closure.

eeks

ail from my business acco

Mr. C

signation from my role as Executiv

is required. All company

a H

nodded. "That's how you

it

off m

quie

sked, resting her

on my stomach. "I don't

u keepi

hook. "I t

argue. She

ks

ecognize. My body felt unfamiliar, unpredictable. Some days I c

when I was weak, bringing meals to my

with a small bag. "Baby boo

"It's sti

with manuals," she repl

y forgetting the w

alone by the windo

ould

im. For t

sage. Deleted i

preg

for anything. I jus

ent

here was no reply.

ing, my p

li

said carefully. "I'm...

tretched

re you sure keeping this

"I didn't tell you

ght be easier... cl

ea

anything," I said evenly

nded, Lena pull

take," she said firmly

time in weeks,