A stabbing pain twisted through my abdomen and I could not focus on anything else.
Clutching my stomach, I forced out a shaky whisper, "Darien, my stomach really hurts. Can you help me lie down?"
Yet, even after a long while, there was no response. I looked up. He was not even looking at me. His eyes were locked on the door of the examination room where Vienna had just disappeared.
As if sensing my gaze, Darien finally glanced in my direction.
"You’re fine, aren’t you? If you don’t want to stay, just go on your own. Vienna’s nervous being in there alone, so she needs me with her."
And just like that, he turned away and rushed to the doctor. "Doctor, she’s been in there a while. Is everything okay?"
"She’s physically fine," the doctor replied flatly. "Just some emotional stress—pretty common during a first pregnancy."
"That’s a relief. Thank you."
Darien stayed behind, asking questions—how to care for a pregnant woman, what she should eat, what to avoid, how to comfort her...
I had no idea why it hurt so much. My chest felt like it was caving in. I swallowed hard, blinking away the tears burning behind my eyes. I wiped the sweat from my brow with trembling hands, enduring every cramp alone.