e between us, a tangible reminder of the

counting them like seconds ticking down to some inevitable conclusion. Each ding echoes with memories I'd rather forget. Damion stands behin

, and my palms are clammy with sweat. My heart races, my bod

ore I can regain my footing, strong arms wrap around me, steadying me against the hard line of his chest.

omfortably close. His tone is firm, almost commanding, b

so long slips just a little, and I see something there-something real. Concern. Reg

ning as I step out of his hold, putting as much d

s the one I gave him for our anniversary. Why would he wear it today? The thought stirs a thousand

e rigid, his stride purposeful. He doesn't look back. The moment stretches painfully as I watch h

olls over me, sharp and sudden. Panic flares as I press the emergency stop button and rush out to the next floor, barely

unds, and for a moment, I don't recognize the woman staring back at me. Her wide eyes

the last time I had my period. A shiver runs down my spine-not f

rayers-could it really be happening now? My hands tremble as I rinse my mouth and splash water o

f uncertainty in my mind. I force myself to smile and nod in all the right places, my answers mechanical, automatic, w

My legs move on autopilot, carrying me to the nearest pharmacy. The shelves blur as I scan for what I need, my h

on't return it. My mind is too occupied wi

t feels like a countdown, the anticipation almost suffocating. My chest rises and falls with shallow br

. Clear. U

y to a rush of emotions I can't contain. Tears spill over, this time not out of pain, but disbelief

ult is the same-positive. A laugh bubbles up in my chest, part disbelief, part

After everythin

of this newfound hope. For the first time in what feels like forever, I

ke a storm on the horizon. Damion. How will he react? Should I even tell

Kaia's triumphant smirk-flickers through my mind, th

ne. No one can take it from me. Not Damion, not Kaia, not

ion. Whether he deserves to