The morning sun had just begun to slip through the slits in the curtains when a soft whimper broke the silence of the bedroom. Evalina stirred, her face contorted in pain as something sharp gripped her lower abdomen. It wasn’t an ordinary cramp—it was deeper, more piercing, and struck from within.

Hunter was still asleep beside her, one arm draped gently over her body. But as soon as Evalina’s body tensed and a pained gasp escaped her lips, he shot awake.

“Evalina?” he asked, panic in his voice as he lifted himself up.

Evalina bit her lower lip, trying to suppress the pain wrapping around her abdomen. Her breathing turned...