Caleb gave a faint smile but said nothing more before leaving the room.
I stayed in the hospital bed through the morning. Time felt slow, heavy, like my body was still adjusting to something it didn't fully accept yet. When the doctor finally came in to explain the aftercare and handed me the medicine, I listened quietly and followed every instruction. By noon, I was cleared to leave.
Stacey was already waiting at the entrance. She helped me into the car without asking too many questions, but her concern was obvious in the way she kept glancing at me.
"Please find a way," I said softly, "so Rebecca believes I went through with the abortion."
She nodded once, started the engine, and drove me back to the villa.
Ashton wasn't home.
I sent Stacey back to the office after we arrived. My body still felt weak, so I went upstairs and lay down. The quiet of the villa should have been peaceful, but it felt too empty, like the air itself was waiting for something.
