82

CASSY

Viviana pushed open the door, balancing two mugs of tea as she walked in. I sat curled up on the couch, trying not to think about throwing up. Or how unprepared I really was for this. The thoughts hadn't stopped since the moment I saw the positive result.

"I thought this might help," she said, setting the cup down in front of me. "Ginger tea. It'll ease the nausea. I heard Lemon would do the same if that doesn't knock it out. I never tried it, though. The tea always helps me."

I managed a weak smile, even though I couldn't stomach much right now. "Thanks," I muttered, reaching for the mug more out of politeness than anything else.

She sat down beside me. She had a way of knowing when I needed someone to talk or when I just needed silence. Her being there felt like both a comfort and a reminder of everything I had to face.

"I thought we could chat," she said quietly.

She understood the storm of emotions I couldn't stop from plaguing me.

I stared into the tea, watching the steam