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."

here for." His words were light, but I could tell that there was something else in his eyes-something was off. He looked like

yet.

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

deep breath, taking both my hands in his and leading me to the sofa. We sat, and he looked deeply into my eyes. "I've

I kissed him. "I knew you wouldn't regret it, Enzo. This job is

eyes. "You have no idea how close I was to giving it all up, Nina. I talked to Tim just now and even saw the team via FaceTime.

options, and come to a decision that respected both his dreams and our life together. I couldn't

slightly, "I do have my own stipulations

into Enzo's eyes,

gathering the courage to speak. "I want you to consider going to therapy, Nina. Your nightmares have been getting worse,

room seemed to close in on me

hide my episodes, tried not to worry him. And

made me feel almost sick. After what had happened

turned my mind into a maze of darkness, using his position to brainwash me, to conduct his twisted experiments. He had locked me up for days that felt like an

of sitting on another leather couch, talking about my fears to a stranger, it made my stomach

serious, Enzo," I found myself saying. "After Edward, how can I ever trust

the world. "I know what Edward did was unimaginable, sickening even. But he was just one twisted individual, Nina. One man. You can't let the acts of one deranged

because they were steeped in a painful truth. Edward was one man, a horrific outlier in a field that was meant to bring solace

the words bitter

face softened, and a slow smile spread across his lips. "That's

lamplight, a new thought dawned on me. "Speaking of considerations," I began, "I think it's time we shared our news with my family. I want to go visit

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