Juniper’s POV
This present week, though, the oppressive weight has begun to lift. The snow had eased a bit, and with it, some of the suffocating stillness. Nolan has been a constant, quiet presence, his practical kindness a steady anchor. Maya, too, has been a bright spot, her laughter and stories every night chips away at the loneliness.
Each day feels a little lighter, a little easier, and the baby inside me seems to agree, its movements now feeling less like a frantic plea and more like a gentle reminder of the life that’s blossoming, ready to face the world.
My phone buzzed on the armrest. Another message from an unknown number. I knew who it was before I opened it. Mabel. She had been relentless since Nolan started coming around, her calls and texts arriving in bursts that left me
