Back at the Blackridge family
Elena woke to another morning with pain twisting through her stomach.
She slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling. For the past few weeks, her life had changed completely. She was no longer treated like an ordinary maid. Healers visited her every morning. She was given special meals, medicine, and strict instructions about what she could and could not do.
But none of it made her feel safe.
She remembered the Luna’s warning.
‘You may not survive the pregnancy.’
Elena placed a trembling hand over her stomach. “Please,” she whispered. “Let my baby live.”
The door opened. A healer entered with two assistants behind her.
“How are you feeling today?” the healer asked.
“I’m tired.”
“Any pain?”
“A little.”
The healer frowned. “Where?”
“Here.”
E
