Ren's eyes darted frantically, the only part of his body still under his control. His chest felt like it would burst from the pressure of his racing heartbeat.
This isn't a dream.
The thought cut through his panic like a knife.
The air was thick with candle smoke and the faint scent of sweet incense. He could feel the warmth of Meiling's body pressing into his side, the soft weight of her arm draped over him. Every sensation—every sound, every smell—was too vivid. Dreams didn't have texture like this. Dreams didn't smother you.
His terror spiked. If this isn't a dream, then what the hell is happening to me?
Ren turned his gaze toward Meiling's face, forcing his eyes to focus through the haze of fear. That's when he saw it—her belly.
Round. Heavy. Pregnant.
His blood ran cold.
She smiled at him tenderly, brushing her cheek against his, as though nothing about this was wrong.
