NYRA
I woke before the sun.
The room was still dark, the air was heavy with that quiet that comes before morning truly begins.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to Jackson’s slow breathing beside me. His arm was thrown over my waist, heavy, warm, and possessive even in sleep.
I carefully lifted it off me.
The cold hit my skin as I sat up. My head felt tight. My chest felt tighter.
I had to go to the clinic.
My shift was in the afternoon, but that didn’t matter. If I finished early, I would go to the hospital and see Lena whether she wanted to see me or not. Whether she slammed the door in my face or not.
I would see her.
I slid off the bed quietly, but the mattress dipped and Jackson stirred.
I entered the bathroom, took my bath, and as I came out
