Chapter 0503

Nina

The kettle whistled shrilly, snapping me out of the reverie I had sunk into. With a sigh, I set my book down and made my way to the kitchen.

It was past midnight, and the house was filled with a disquieting silence that only deepened my worry for Enzo. He'd said he was going out for a drive and would be back soon. Hours had passed, and "soon" felt like an eternity ago.

Pouring hot water into my cup, I added a tea bag, allowing the scent of chamomile to waft up and ease my worries. It was somewhat calming, but I still felt worried. Where was he?

Just as I was contemplating texting him, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway filled the air. My heart soared. Relief washed over me as I set down my cup, hurrying to the front door to peek through the curtain. Sure enough, it was Enzo's truck.

A few minutes later, he emerged from his truck.

The door opened, and there he was, looking exhausted but relieved to be home. "You're back," I said, my voice tinged with relief and a bit of annoyance. "It's late. What were you doing out there?"

Enzo sighed, setting his keys on the table by the door. "Luke and I were scouting for Edward. Didn't find him, though."

"Edward? You should've invited me," I said, arching my eyebrows.

He chuckled, but his eyes were clouded with something I couldn't quite place. "Sure," he said, smirking slightly." Next time I need to hunt down that psycho, I'll be sure to bring along my pregnant wife."

Enzo's words gave me pause. It was still early in the pregnancy, making it easy to momentarily forget that that was the case. "You're right," I laughed, instinctively placing my hand over my belly. "I almost forgot."

light, but I could tell that there was something else in his eyes-something

yet.

out," I said. "You look like you're about to

in his and leading me to the sofa. We sat, and he looked deeply into my eyes. "I've thought about

without a second thought, I kissed him. "I knew you wouldn't regret

giving it all up, Nina. I talked to Tim just now

both his dreams and our life together. I couldn't ask for a more thoughtful partner.

shifting slightly, "I do have my own stipulations

I looked into Enzo's eyes, the curiosity almost

getting worse, even though

on me at his

had tried to hide my episodes,

of going to therapy made me feel almost sick. After what had happened with

He had locked me up for days that felt like an eternity, had

couch, talking about my fears to a stranger, it made my stomach

saying. "After Edward, how can I ever

my hands, holding them as if they were the most fragile things in the world. "I know what Edward did was unimaginable, sickening even. But he was

felt the sting of his words, not because they were harsh, but because they were steeped in a painful truth. Edward was one man, a horrific outlier in a field that was meant to bring solace and

consider it," I finally conceded, the

slow smile spread across his lips. "That's

in the lamplight, a new thought dawned on me. "Speaking of considerations," I began, "I think it's time

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