Sadness washed over Anna as the remnants of the dream clung to her. Reality pressed down—the child she once carried was gone. Tears welled in her eyes as she stared at the empty room. The ache in her body wasn't from that loss, but from the cruel rhythm of her cycle, a reminder that still made her feel hollow.
The door creaked open, pulling her from her thoughts. Daniel stepped inside, surprise flickering across his face when he saw her awake.
"I leave for a few minutes, and you're already up," he said, his tone lighter than the way his eyes searched her. He crossed the room and settled beside her.
Up close, he noticed the sheen of sweat on her brow, and his expression hardened with concern.
"How long was I asleep?" she asked quickly, pretending not to notice his steady gaze. Heat prickled at her skin, and she pushed the duvet away, desperate for air.
"The entire evening," Daniel replied.
Her eyes widened. "A-and you stayed here? All this time?"
