Arielle stood near the front door, checking her phone for the third time.
The nurse had texted ten minutes ago.
"We're almost there."
Her fingers tightened around the phone. She couldn't explain the feeling growing inside her—it wasn't just nerves.
It was a strange mix of relief… and fear.
Because while she waited for her sister to come home, her own body had been sending signs she didn't want to read.
The front gates opened.
A white van pulled into the driveway. A nurse stepped out first, then opened the back door.
And there she was.
Bella.
Wrapped in a light cardigan, still thin and pale—but standing on her own two feet.
Arielle ran forward, eyes already filling with tears.
"You're here," she whispered, hugging her.
"Careful, I'm still fragile," Bella teased, hugging her back. "But yeah. I'm really here."
The nurse smiled from behind them.
"The doctor approved a short two-day stay. If there's any sign of fatigue or fever, she needs to return immediately. Understood?"
"I'll take care of her," Arielle said quickly. "Thank you. Thank you so much."
---
Later That Morning
Bella sat on the sofa wrapped in a blanket, sipping warm tea.
The private nurse had settled in the guest room, giving them space.
"It's nice here," Bella said. "Way better than the hospital food."
"Everything's better than hospital food," Arielle replied, smiling.
But behind that smile… her body was not cooperating.
The nausea was back.
She moved to the kitchen and took a deep breath, but even the scent of toast made her stomach roll.
She tried to ignore it.
Probably just stress. I haven't been eating right. That's all.
---
That Afternoon
Arielle walked slowly through the garden while Bella napped inside.
She thought the air would help.
But the sunlight made her dizzy.
The flowers smelled too strong.
Even her own perfume felt like too much.
She sat on the nearest bench and took a deep breath.
Her chest felt tight.
Her body… unfamiliar.
And then it hit her.
When was my last period?
---
Back in Her Room
Arielle stared at the calendar app on her phone.
She scrolled. Checked. Counted.
Her period was late.
Over two weeks late.
Her stomach dropped.
"No. Maybe I missed something. Maybe I'm just tired. Maybe…"
But her hands were already trembling.
Nausea.
Exhaustion.
Mood swings.
All of it lined up.
---
That Night
Bella was asleep. The house was quiet. Leonard wasn't home.
Arielle sat alone, curled up by the window, staring at the soft city lights in the distance.
Her hand rested over her lower stomach.
If I am… then what happens now?
She grabbed her phone and searched again:
"Pharmacy near me. Pregnancy test."
She closed her eyes and whispered,
"I just need to know. That's all."
But deep down… she already did.
---
End of Chapter 7