The hallway felt strangely dim when Willow leaned her head back against the wall, her breaths steadying one by one. The Braxton Hicks tightening had faded, leaving only a faint echo and the bone-deep fatigue that always followed. She pressed a palm to the side of her belly, not because it hurt, but because contact made her feel grounded again. Victor stood a step in front of her, not close enough to crowd her but close enough to be the first thing she saw when she finally lifted her eyes.
"Better?" he asked gently.
She nodded even though her pulse hadn't quite settled. "Yeah. It's passing."
"You sure?"
"Yes. I promise." She exhaled slowly and found that even the simple act made her throat tighten. "Just earlier than I expected, that's all."
