?Chapter 0478


    The brightly lit mall, covered in colorful banners and shy storefronts, was a stark change from the gentle green and blue hues of Mountainview. It wasn''t a regr urrence for us toe to the mall, but when we did, it was always fun.


    I always loved browsing the sale racks, trying on funny hats, and pointing out unique disys. But today, I was just happy to be near Enzo. His hand was warm in mine as we wandered through the mall, surrounded by the buzz of Saturday shoppers.


    "Let''s check out that store," I suggested, nodding toward a trendy boutique. "I''ve been wanting to get something new,"


    Enzo grinned. "As you wish."


    The store smelled like vani andvender, with tall racks of clothes neatly organized by color and type. My fingers brushed over soft fabrics, lingering on a few summery outfits. I eventually picked out a few things that caught my eye and headed to the fitting rooms.


    And yet, as I stood before the mirror in a beautiful green dress, I found my eyes drifting to my midsection. My belly still looked a little more pronounced than usual. For a second, I felt a strange mix of insecurity and concern. I tried to push it away, ming it on bad lighting or an unttering angle, but the feeling persisted.


    "Hey, babe, how''s it going in there?" Enzo''s voice broke through my internal monologue as he peeked into the fitting room.


    I twirled awkwardly, watching his eyes for a reaction. "What do you think? Does it look okay?"


    Enzo smiled. "It looks perfect. You should get it."


    I paused, though, ncing nervously in the mirror. My hand lingered on my belly. "It''s not... too tight around my stomach?"


    Instantly, Enzo shot me a warning look. "You look stunning, Nina. You always do," he assured me, his eyes eamest. "And healthy, too. Don''t start obsessing over your size."


    I smiled, hispliment soothing my self-consciousness, but a part of me was still uneasy. "You''re right, I shouldn''t obsess," I agreed, even though something deep within me nagged that it was odd for my belly to be the only thing that had grown a bit.


    "Maybe I''ve been eating too much junk," I thought to myself. "I''ll just have to eat better."


    We made our purchases and stepped back into the river of mall-goers, drifting from one storefront to another. We were midway through our window-shopping escapade when I found myself stopped in front of a kids'' clothing


    store.


    My eyes were drawn to a cute baby outfit set disyed in the window-a little yellow jumpsuit with matching booties. A soft, involuntary sigh escaped my lips, apanied by a pang of sadness as the memories of that morning, which I had tried so hard to push away, flooded back in.


    Enzo felt the shift in me instantly, his arm snaking around my waist. "Hey, we''ll have our family someday, okay? Don''t be upset, love."


    Caught off guard, I feigned indifference. "I''m not upset; I was just looking, that''s all."


    Enzo chuckled, his brown eyes twinkling. "Nina, I know you far too well for you to pull that ''just looking'' nonsense on me. Is this like the ''girl talk'' all over again?"


    I sighed and leaned my head on his shoulder, enveloped by theforting smell of his cologne and his natural scent. "You''re too perceptive, you know that?" I teased.


    "But it''s my job," he quipped, pulling me closer. "I might as well double down on it now, seeing as how I won''t be around in a couple of months."


    At his words, I yfully punched his arm. "Hey! Don''t go bringing that up when we''re having a nice time!"


    However, despite my admonishment, Enzoughed. And so did I.


    As we kept walking, I felt a bit of lightness in my step. The words that Enzo had uttered just the day before-"new beginnings"-now felt even more meaningful. Yes, it didn''t turn out exactly the way that I had hoped, but I wasn''t crushed by it.


    If anything, it gave me even more hope for the future.


    Hope that, whenever the time came, we would be able to start our family on our own terms.


    The campus trails were dappled with morning light, the air rich with the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves. Lori, Jessica, and I set off on our Sunday morning hike, the conversation flowing as easily as the streams that criss crossed our path.Belongs to N?velDrama.Org - All rights reserved.


    *So, how did your chat with Enzo go?" Lori asked, navigating a rocky stretch with practiced ease. "I''m assuming you actually had the chat."


    I hesitated for a moment, measuring my words. "You''re right. We did talk about it. I even took a pregnancy test." Jessica''s eyes widened instantly. "And...?"


    "And... It was negative," I replied, feeling a surge of emotions I still couldn''t quiteprehend. A mixture of confusion, relief, and disappointment.


    Jessica and Lori exchanged nces. "You sound disappointed." Jessica said softly.


    "Maybe a little," I finally admitted, feeling vulnerable beneath my friends'' knowing gazes. "I didn''t think I would be, but..."


    Lori stopped, turning to face me. "Hey, being disappointed is okay. It''s a good sign, you know? At least you''ve got a glimpse of what you want in the future. A family. Something to aim for."


    Her wordsnded softly, and I felt the truth in them settle over me. Lori was right; I did know what I wanted now, even if the timing wasn''t right just at this moment. "You''re right, Lori. Thanks," I said, the tension in my chest easing a little.


    We resumed our hike, our footsteps falling into a rhythm that was asforting as our friendship. I was lost in my thoughts when my eyes drifted upwards, and I froze.


    There, peering around a tree trunk, was the shadowy figure that had haunted my imagination for months. Its long. spindly fingers wrapped around the tree, while its hollow eyes stared back at me unblinkingly. Its mouth, as always, was stretched into an unnaturally wide grin.


    Naturally, my heart skipped a beat, but before I could fully register the sight, I blinked, and it was gone.


    *You okay, Nina?" Lori''s voice snapped me back to reality.


    "Um... Yeah, I lied, brushing off their concerned looks. "Just thought I saw something weird. It''s nothing, though. Just a... squirrel."


    Lori and Jessica exchanged knowing nces but said nothing more. We continued on the trail, but it hadn''t been long when Jessica''s phone suddenly dinged. She pulled it out, her eyes scanning the screen and slowly widening.


    "Nina," she said, her voice wavering slightly, "check your phone. Now."


    Confused, I fumbled for my phone. As it flickered to life, I saw the notification-an email from the university. My heart pounded as I opened it, my eyes skimming the words until theynded on the ones that mattered: "


    Congrattions, you''ve been epted to our medical school program for the uing fall term!"


    *I... I aced everything!" I nearly screamed, the words tumbling out in a giddy rush. "I can''t believe it. I''m going to medical school!"


    Jessica beamed, enveloping me in a tight hug. "So am I! We''re going to be doctors, Nina!"