The symptoms were getting harder to hide.
Every morning now brought stronger waves of nausea. Some days I could barely keep down the dry biscuits I hid in my drawer. My breasts felt tender and swollen. I was more tired than usual, and my stomach had started to show — just a small, soft curve that was noticeable when I wore my normal clothes.
I stood in front of the mirror one morning, turning sideways. The slight roundness was becoming obvious. Panic rose in my chest. I couldn’t let anyone see this.
I started wearing looser clothes.
Instead of the fitted sweaters and jeans that had been left for me, I chose oversized tunics and long, flowing dresses that hid my changing body. I tied them loosely at the waist and avoided anything that clung to my stomach. Every time I looked in the mirr
