# Kaira

I slipped back quietly into the house just before midnight, my heart still racing from the day's events. The familiar silence and shadows welcomed me like old friends. At least I'd taken the first step... my travel box and essentials were safely hidden away.

In my room, the empty spaces where my belongings used to be felt like small victories. I collapsed onto the bed, eyes on the ceiling, until sleep finally pulled me under.

Morning came too quickly. I woke with my hair tangled and my body aching... that familiar discomfort that had become my constant companion since the pregnancy began. My throat felt like sandpaper.

I stumbled out of my room, dragging my feet across the floor. The kitchen felt miles away as I dragged myself through the sitting room, my limbs heavy with sleep.

In the kitchen, I grabbed a water bottle and drank like I'd been stranded in a desert. The cool liquid soothed my throat, but my empty stomach churned and twisted. I pressed my hand against my belly, wincing.

"Could this be an ulcer?" I muttered, my face scrunching with discomfort.

I hadn't eaten anything substantial since yesterday afternoon, except for the snacks Tony bought at the park. My head throbbed with a dull ache.

As I turned to leave, a figure appeared, blocked my way. I gasped, my heart slamming against my ribs.

Tonia stood there like a predator, her eyes fixed on me like prey. When I realized it was her, relief flooded through me, and I rubbed my chest, feeling my wild heartbeat.

"Good morning," I said, barely managing the words.

She didn't respond. No shouting, no immediate attack. Aunt Martha was still asleep... she usually got up at 7 a.m., expecting breakfast to be ready per our weekly food schedule.

"Come here." Tonia grabbed my wrist and dragged me to the sitting room. She shoved me onto the couch. "Sit down."

She sat across from me, her voice surprisingly calm but her eyes desperate. "That man from De&J Enterprise..."

My stomach dropped. I knew this was coming. If anyone would interrogate me about Vincent, it would be Tonia.

"Answer me!" she snapped, her calm facade cracking.

I almost laughed. Of course she couldn't stay calm for long. But something had changed in me... maybe the thought of escaping soon had loosened the tight fear that usually gripped me around her.

"I've never seen him before. Yesterday was the first time."

"You sure?" Her eyes bored into mine, and she bit her fingernail... a habit that meant she was scheming.

"Of course he wouldn't know someone like you, right?" She wanted reassurance, needed me to confirm her superiority.

"Yes. I'm nobody. He's way too important to even know someone like me. Where would I ever meet someone like that? I only work at run-down convenience stores just to survive..."

"It's okay. I was worried for nothing." She looked satisfied, her shoulders dropping slightly.

Then suspicion crept back in. "But he called your name... and mine too. How did he know to come to our house?"

The question lingered in the silence between us.

She kept biting her finger. "Whatever!" She shrugged, but her eyes stayed calculating.

"I'll find out who that man is," she whispered, her voice determined.

Then she snapped back to her usual self, ordering me to clean her room and prepare breakfast quickly because she was hungry.

Strangely, she didn't mention my absence yesterday or skipping lunch preparation. That was unusual. I wondered if Tony had actually kept his promise to handle it.

"But... Is he back?" I whispered to myself.

* * *

Two days later, I sat in my room after preparing dinner. The loneliness tonight felt heavier than usual.

I was never allowed to eat with them, so I'd grown used to eating alone in my room... like a servant.

I was about to get water when voices drifted from the living room... Tonia and Aunt Martha were talking about Uncle.

"I miss him so much. He should hurry back," Tonia said. "We need to take care of her pregnancy soon. She disgusts me, and who knows if she's thrown up in our food before? She's always vomiting."

Ice filled my veins.

"She wouldn't dare," Aunt Martha muttered.

"We weren't watching. What if? You don't know that girl, Mom. She has a dark mind."

Aunt Martha's voice dropped. "Your dad is coming back tomorrow. He called this afternoon. If he gets back early, we can probably get rid of the pregnancy tomorrow.

"Really!" Tonia's voice bubbled with excitement. "You didn't tell me! You know how eagerly I've been waiting for him."

"And I just told you."

Their laughter filled the house. Cruel, delighted sounds that made my skin crawl. Happy about my pain.

My heart hammered against my ribs. Blood roared in my ears. The walls felt like they were closing in.

"I can’t wait to see her face when that little bastard is ripped out of her before it even comes into the world..."

My phone rang, the sound cutting through my terror. With trembling fingers, I grabbed it from my bed. Unknown number.

"Am I speaking with Ms. Kaira Yaren?" The voice was professional, unfamiliar.

"Yes." My voice came out weak and shaky. "Who am I speaking with?"

"I'm calling from the hospital..."

My heart stopped. "The hospital? What's wrong? Is everything okay...?" Panic clawed at my throat.

"He's okay," the voice interrupted, and I could hear the smile in it. "In fact, we're calling to tell you he's woken up. A rare case. He responded much faster than normal."

"Oliver..." I gasped, my hand flying to my mouth. "He's awake."

Tears of joy welled up, washing away all the fear from just moments ago.

"Yes. And he's asking for you."

* * *