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

any other day, I would have answered

address was ready on the tip

Not today.

back to the saleswoman and smiled

give that to you after a brief discussion?”

“Of course,” she replied, warm

with a nod, took Nick’s hand like

I didn’t give his thoughts room to

mezzanine was quieter, with a discreet view of the entire store.I

Because I already knew.

almost anything, but he functioned better with

When the cups arrived, I set one in front of him, sat down, and took a deep breath.

“So,” I said.

sip, like that simple motion could buy

“So…?” he returned,

I rested my

never defined this.” He

what, exactly?”

going to live,”

a second, like the question had opened up a space our improvised routine didn’t know how to

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