Chapter 16

CHERYL’S POV

The warm afternoon sun filters through the curtains of my bedroom, casting soft, golden light over everything. I’m lying on my bed, my laptop open beside me, trying to finish up some work. But I can’t seem to focus. There’s a restlessness within me, a sensation that’s been growing steadily over the past few days. At first, I thought it was just stress or maybe the changing seasons, but now it feels different—more intense.

I shift uncomfortably, trying to find a position that will ease the sudden and persistent warmth spreading through my body. It feels almost like a fever, but without the sickness. My skin feels overly sensitive, tingling with every brush of the sheets. I can’t ignore the growing ache in my lower abdomen, nor the way my breaths are coming quicker and shorter.

I roll onto my side, trying to shake off the mounting discomfort. “Okay, Cheryl, just breathe,” I mutter to myself. “It’s probably just a late period or something.”

I sit up, pulling my phone from th