The sky lightened gradually, pulling back the curtain of a new day. Birds chirped brightly from the branches, their songs slowly stirring those blissfully asleep inside.
Elise rested her head on Baden's arm, facing him as she let him hold her close through the night.
She'd intended to sleep on the outer edge, but his words before bed had made her change her mind.
"Even though we're sharing the same bed, if I can hold you close, you'll feel me right next to you… and know how much I love you." That was what Braden had told her.
Thinking back on it, Elise felt her heart swirl with sweetness. She had even thought he'd go further after kissing her neck…
Was she just overthinking it? Turns out, she'd read too much into it. Her cheeks grew warm at the thought, and she shook her head. She really shouldn't be thinking like that!
Moving carefully, she gently lifted his hand from her waist, placed it back on the bed, and slipped out from under the covers, her feet touching the floor.
Elise walked to the vanity mirror, opened a drawer, took out the inn's provided brush, and started combing her hair.
It was Sunday, and tomorrow would be her first workday as a married woman. As for wedding leave, she still hadn't decided on the best time to plan the ceremony.
With the ongoing H Technology project at work, she wasn't sure if taking time off now would disrupt things for others.
Technically, she was required to use her marriage leave within three months from the date of their registration, but Zayne had been generous, letting her know the company would accept it anytime within the year.
Especially since she'd already used up her personal leave thanks to Graham—time was indeed tight for any extra wedding prep.
It seemed she'd have to dedicate her weekends to planning all the wedding details.
She pulled out the chair and sat at the vanity, staring at her reflection. She'd only just woken up, yet sleep seemed to descend upon her again. Resting her head on the table, she drifted off without realizing it.
When she woke up again, an hour had passed.
She noticed she was lying somewhere soft, her hands brushing around without opening her eyes. Suddenly, she opened them and realized she was back on the plush bed.
She distinctly remembered sitting in the chair by the vanity… Realizing this, she quickly sat up, finding the space beside her empty. Braden was already awake, but where had he gone?
Her question didn't linger long, as he soon emerged from the bathroom, dressed in black cotton pants, with his upper body…
Elise ducked back under the covers, even though she'd seen him like this many times. But it was morning, and she couldn't help but feel shy.
Images filled her mind of him holding her close, of his arms wrapped around her… and even more.
The more she thought about it, the more flustered she felt. A wave of warmth spread through her, creeping upward and flooding her thoughts.
No, this wasn't right—was she the one who… wanted to devour him?
Finally, feeling like she was suffocating, she poked her head out from under the blanket, gulping in the fresh morning air.
By now, Braden was lying beside her, wearing a white shirt on his upper body and black, slim-fit pants on his lower half.
"Still cold? I woke up and saw you sleeping at the table, so I brought you to bed. It's warmer with a blanket on; that way, you won't be cold all night." Braden lay on his side, propping his left hand against his cheek while gently stroking the top of her head with his right.
"I just wanted to brush my hair, and then… I fell asleep." Elise's cheeks turned a deep shade of red, her whole body heating up like boiling water freshly off the stove.
"I see." Braden touched her cheek again, his brows knitting together, eyes filled with concern. "But now that I feel your face, it doesn't seem cold anymore…"
"Which means I don't need a doctor, right?" Elise blinked rapidly, flashing a wide, bright smile, hoping to distract him.
There was no way she'd let him know her mind was overflowing with thoughts of them together!
"No, your body temperature's been fluctuating—it's not normal. After work tomorrow, I'm taking you to see a doctor." Braden gently, but firmly, dismissed her reasoning, leaving no room for negotiation.
"That's because…" Elise pressed her lips together, unsure how to explain.
"Hm?" Braden waited patiently, wanting to hear her reason.
"Oh, nothing, really." In the end, Elise chose to hold back her words.
"You promised not to hide anything from me." Baden's voice remained calm and gentle. "Tell me, do you really dislike seeing a doctor?"
Her resistance had to have a reason. He didn't want to jump to negative conclusions, but her refusal to see a doctor genuinely worried him.
He couldn't bear the thought of finally having her back, only to face the possibility of losing her again.
"I feel warm because I'm embarrassed—because you didn't put all your clothes on. I got shy," Elise said, covering her face with her hands, her muffled voice slipping through her fingers. "I keep thinking about… all those intimate moments. And yesterday, you didn't do anything. I even thought…"
Braden stared in surprise for a long moment. So, her body temperature was rising… just because of this?
"You little fool. If you want me to pamper you, just say it. I'll gladly do it." He shifted, repositioning himself, pressing her beneath him.
She shyly turned her head away. "We have to check out soon… And… I'm really hungry."
He gently moved her hands from her face, his teasing gone as he became serious. "Promise me, just for my sake—let me take you to see a doctor, okay?"
The deep worry in his eyes struck her, and she suddenly realized she might have been a bit too stubborn.
Truthfully, she'd noticed she'd been acting oddly lately—getting emotional without reason, losing her appetite, and her hands and feet were constantly cold.
It wasn't that she was unwilling to see a doctor; it just felt unnecessary. But seeing how worried he was, she decided it'd be better to go, if only to ease his mind.
"I'll go see a doctor tomorrow, I promise." Elise pouted playfully. "Right now, I just want food. I'm starving…"
Braden felt a temporary relief. "Alright, let's go get some food."
------
The next day, Elise returned to work. After a busy morning, lunchtime finally arrived. Just as she opened her lunch box, she saw Evelyn approaching with a pink gift bag in hand, eyes filled with admiration.
"Congratulations on your wedding! Make sure to cherish it," Evelyn said, sitting down beside her and whispering, "So, now that you're married, are kids next?"
"Oh… that soon?" Elise felt a little shy, lowering her head. "Though I wouldn't mind, honestly."
"You're just radiating that newlywed glow. I'm so envious of you!" Evelyn placed the pink bag on her desk. "I remember you love strawberry cake, so enjoy! Wishing you a wonderful marriage and a lifetime of happiness!"
"Thank you! But when are you free? I'd love for you to help me pick out some wedding dresses and maybe a bridesmaid dress."
"I'm usually free on my days off. Just let me know in advance, and I'll make it work."
"That's perfect! Well, I'll start with this strawberry cake." Elise took the cake out of the box, lifting the lid and reaching for a knife to slice it.
"But this one is special—it's a cake I made myself! I've been really into baking lately, so I went to this café called Bake & Brew to learn how to make cakes," Evelyn said, handing her a business card. "It's pretty unique. Even though it's a café, they offer a one-day cake-making class once a month!"
"If it's homemade by you, I'll definitely enjoy every bite." Elise took a fork, cutting a small piece and savoring it as she chewed and swallowed.
After just that one bite, her appetite wasn't quite the same. She already felt full, but knowing it was Evelyn's homemade cake, she was determined to finish it.
So, she took a second bite, then a third… Finally, as she approached the last piece, just before she could bring it to her lips, a wave of nausea hit, and she had to stop herself.
She set the cake down, a pained expression on her face as she grabbed the trash can, preparing to be sick.
Her heart sank with guilt. Evelyn had made the cake with love—how could she do this in front of her?
But Evelyn's reaction was the opposite; she looked at her with genuine concern, leaning in and whispering, "Have you gotten your period this month? Could it be… you're pregnant?"
Elise took a breath, calming the nausea before setting down the trash can. She glanced at Evelyn, surprised. "Huh? I..."
After Evelyn's question, Elise thought about it. She hadn't actually noticed how long it had been since her last period.
She usually indulged in big meals with Ruth, had years of poor eating habits, and occasionally stayed up late for work. This recent project had added a lot of stress, and with her always striving for perfection, her cycle was often irregular, sometimes even coming twice in a month—she'd gotten used to it.
But the thought that this could mean… pregnancy… had never crossed her mind.
"Come on, don't be embarrassed. We're close, I'll keep it a secret," Evelyn reassured, patting her shoulder. "You look so confused; I bet you haven't confirmed it yet. Be sure to check after work—it's better to know early to protect both you and the baby's health."
"But… my period's always been irregular. And what made you think it's pregnancy?" Elise was still puzzled. After all, she'd been fine just a few days ago.
"Look at you. It's only autumn, right? And you're already wearing a thick coat." Evelyn pointed at her white faux-shearling jacket. "Is it really that cold? Goodness."
Elise took a sip of water, hoping to dispel the nausea. "Is that so?"
"That's probably it. Pregnant women have to be careful with medication since it can affect the baby. You should find out if you're pregnant first. If not, maybe see a specialist to get things checked out. I mean, seeing you bundled up every day… if it's not pregnancy, there might be something else going on." Evelyn watched her closely, analyzing with keen attention.
Elise touched her stomach, murmuring to herself, "Pregnant…?"
Could it be possible? The question lingered in her mind for a long time, even after she clocked out from work. Her thoughts were still tangled up in it.
