LILY
Emma didn’t let go of my hand the entire walk back from the clinic.
The sky had already dipped into a dull gray, the kind that made everything feel heavier, like the world was holding its breath with me.
The cold evening air pressed against my skin, but I barely felt it. My mind was too loud. Too cluttered. Every step I took felt like I was sinking further into a reality I wasn’t prepared for.
Pregnant.
The word pulsed rhythmically in my head, in time with my heartbeat, echoing in places I had kept locked for months.
I kept my eyes fixed on the pavement as we walked, watching my boots make one uncertain step after another.
Emma stayed close, her arm brushing mine every few seconds, grounding me. She didn’t push, didn’t ask anything yet. But I could feel the questions hanging b
