Chapter 717

Gwen’s POV

The checkout counter felt smaller than it was, like the bags.

Many, organized, with tissue paper and understated ribbons.

Were taking up space inside me too.

Space I was trying to keep clear.

The saleswoman scanned each item with almost elegant efficiency.

I stood beside Nick watching, and for one rare moment I could feel the good weight of the scene.

The two of us buying baby things like a normal couple.

Like the world wasn’t constantly trying to walk into our living room and decide how we should exist.

“Perfect,” the saleswoman said when she finished the last item in the system.

“We’ll arrange delivery.What address should we use?” The question hung in the air with the simplicity of something obvious.

And even so, my body froze for a second.

Nick’s did too. We looked at each other.

It wasn’t dramatic.

It was clean, direct.

pulled on a thread we’d

any other day, I would have answered automatically,

was ready on the

Not today.

turned back to the saleswoman

“Can I give that to you after a brief discussion?”

course,” she replied, warm and

you need.There’s a café on the mezzanine.” I thanked her with a nod,

he started, confused, but I didn’t give his thoughts room to grow there under

the

Because I already knew.

almost anything, but he functioned better

in front of him, sat down, and took a deep breath.

“So,” I said.

sip, like that simple motion

he

my hand on the

never defined this.”

“Defined what,

to live,”

the question had opened up a space our improvised routine

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255