?


    Chapter 0671


    Nina


    I woke up the next morning to a familiar, yet unwee sensation-a sharp, throbbing pain in my lower abdomen. In fact, it was the pain that woke me up from a deep sleep.


    The difort was so intense that it felt like a tight knot had formed in my stomach, making me curl up instinctively. For a moment, I justy there, hoping it would pass, but the pain only seemed to intensify with each passing second.


    "Enzo," I groaned, nudging him gently. He was still asleep, his breathing deep and even. It took a few more nudges before he finally stirred, blinking his eyes open in confusion.


    "Enzo."


    "Nina? What''s wrong?" he asked, his voice thick with sleep.


    "I have cramps," I managed to say through gritted teeth, apanied by a sharp wince as another wave of them washed over me. "Really bad ones."


    Enzo sat up immediately, a look of concern causing his eyebrows to knit together. "Cramps? Like, stomach cramps?" he asked.


    I shook my head, barely able to speak through the pain, but I managed to croak out, "My uterus."


    He sat up even further, his brow now furrowed with worry as he jumped out of bed. "We should get you to the doctor," he said, already making his way across the bedroom to grab a pair of sweatpants and tug them on in one swift motion. "Now."


    But my independent nature made me think otherwise.


    "I''ll drive myself," I said, trying to downy my difort for the sake of... I don''t know. My pride, maybe? "I don''t want to bother you."


    Enzo wouldn''t have any of it. "Nina, don''t be silly," he said. "You''re pregnant, and I''m taking you. We can''t just ignore this. We''re going to the doctor."


    I sighed, knowing there was no arguing with him when he was in this protective mode. And he was right, anyway; I was just being hyper-independent.


    He helped me out of bed, supporting me as I struggled to stand. The pain was making me feel lightheaded, and I leaned heavily against him as we made our way out of the house.


    On the way down the stairs, my mother popped her head out of her room, having heard themotion. "Nina? Enzo?" she asked, her voice thick with sleep. "What''s going on?"


    "I''m fine, mom," I lied, not wanting to worry her. "Just go back to="


    "She''s having cramps," Enzo interrupted. "Bad ones. I''m taking her to the hospital."


    My mother gasped. Before I knew it, she was at my side-and she didn''t leave my side, no matter how many times I tried to lie and say I was okay.novelbin


    "Take care of her," my mother finally said once I was settled in the car. "Keep me updated."


    Enzo nodded and started the car. I was in too much pain to speak. "I will, Angelica," he said. "See you soon."


    The car ride to the doctor''s office was a blur of difort and worry. Enzo kept ncing at me, his expression tight with concern.


    "You''re going to be okay, love," he kept saying, although I could tell he was trying to convince himself just as


    much as, if not more than, he was trying to reassure me.


    At the doctor''s office, we didn''t have to wait long. The obstetrician, once she heard about my predicament, ushered us into her office with a concerned look on her face.


    "What seems to be the problem, Nina?" she asked, helping me onto the examination table.


    I woke up with really bad cramps," I exined, grimacing as another wave of pain hit me. "We had sexst night, and I hope-"


    "Rough sex?" the doctor asked, looking back and forth between me and Enzo.


    Enzo and I exchanged nces, and I felt a heat creep into my cheeks as I recalled the night of passion we had shared. "It wasn''t anything out of the ordinary," Enzo finally said. "A little rough, but I was gentle."


    The doctor nodded and shed me a soft smile. "I doubt it''s rted," she said gently, patting my hand. "Let''s do a check-up just to see. It''s probably an endometriosis re-up, just like I warned you about."


    As she performed the examination, Enzo stood by my side, holding my hand tightly. I could feel his worry radiating off him in waves, but it was over quickly.


    "Everything looks normal with the baby," the doctor finally said, her tone reassuring. "Heartbeat is strong, and there are no signs of distress. However, it seems like it is your endometriosis which is ring up after all. Have you been following the prenatal yoga sses I rmended?"


    I shook my head, feeling a twinge of guilt. "No, I haven''t."


    The doctor gave me a stem look. "Nina, those sses are important. They help keep your pelvic floor healthy, which is crucial, especially with your condition. I strongly suggest you start attending them."


    I nodded, feeling a bit like a scolded schoolgirl. "I''ll start going," I promised.


    "Good," she said, offering me a small smile. "In the meantime, I''ll prescribe you something for the pain and inmmation. But you need to take it easy and start those yoga sses."


    Enzo squeezed my hand. "I''ll make sure she goes," he said, his voice firm as he nced over at me. "I promise."


    The doctor gave us a few more instructions and reminders before letting us go. As we walked out of the office, I leaned against Enzo, feeling much better now thanks to the medicine the doctor gave me but utterly helpless at the same time. Enzo was quiet, and when I looked up at him, his jaw was clenched.


    "I hate this," I muttered as we got into the car.


    Enzo looked at me as he climbed into the driver''s seat. His gaze was nothing short of annoyed. "Nina," he huffed," you need to stop trying to get out of epting help."


    "But I''


    "No," he said, turning to face me in his seat. He took my hands in his, and his palms were warm andforting." I love you, Nina. And I want you to be here, in Mountainview, where we both belong. But... god dammit, Nina, you''re so belligerent sometimes."


    I swallowed, staring down at our hands. "I just... I hate asking for help," I muttered. "And I feel so fucking useless. I couldn''t even shift with you guys the other day."


    Enzo sighed. "Look, Nina, I get it," he said. "You''re used to doing everything yourself. You trekked across Mountainview with a fucking silver bullet in your leg, all on your own. But... We''re not at war anymore, love. You can rx."


    "But-"


    "No." Enzo shook his head. "No more buts. You''re taking that medicine, you''re going to those yoga sses, and you''ll ept help when help is offered. I''m not taking no for an answer anymore."


    I fell silent after that. It was rare to see Enzo like this; he was usually so soft toward me, so lenient. But


    something had shifted over the course of the pregnancy, and maybe, just maybe, it was for the best.


    "Now let''s go home," he said, nting a gentle kiss on my forehead and putting the truck in drive. "And you''re going to rest today."


    I nodded. "Okay. I will."