𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐅 𝐈 𝐅 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐓 𝐇 𝐑 𝐄 𝐄

Eden

The market was alive with the hum of voices and the scent of fresh fruit and street food wafting through the air. I walked beside Lenore, who was admiring a pair of sleek sunglasses from a nearby vendor. She looked so relaxed, her hair cascading over her shoulders as she tried on a pair, turning to me with a smile as if asking for my approval. I smiled back, though my mind was wandering, distracted by the energy of the market and the endless stream of people flowing past us.

I was about to comment on how good the sunglasses looked on her when I felt it. A sharp, sudden pain in my lower stomach, like someone had twisted a knife deep inside me. The pain shot through me so intensely that it took my breath away for a second. I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek, determined not to show Lenore that anything was wrong. I couldn't ruin the day, not after all the excitement we'd had over this trip. It was just a small cramp, nothing major. Or so I told myself.

"Sweetheart, what do you think?" Lenore's voice broke through my thoughts, and I glanced over at her, trying to force a smile despite the dull ache that was now spreading across my abdomen.

"They look great on you," I said, my voice sounding more strained than I intended.

Lenore raised an eyebrow but didn't press. She turned back to the vendor, chatting about the price of the sunglasses, while I stood there, forcing myself to breathe through the pain.

But then it hit me again. This time worse. A sharp, searing agony that nearly buckled my knees. My vision blurred for a second, and I instinctively reached for the stall's counter to steady myself. A strangled breath escaped me before I could stop it, and I felt my body sway under the weight of the pain.

"Eden?" Lenore's voice was laced with concern, and I turned toward her, trying to straighten myself, but I knew she could see it in my face. She had always been able to read me better than I could read myself.

"It's... it's just stomach pain," I said through gritted teeth, clutching my side as I tried to stand up straight. But it was no use. Another wave hit me, and I doubled over, gasping for air.

Lenore was by my side in an instant, her hand gripping my arm to steady me. Her usually calm, composed demeanor shifted into something more urgent, more protective. "You're pale," she said, her voice tight with worry. "Eden, this isn't just stomach pain. We need to get you back to the hotel."

I wanted to argue, to tell her I was fine, but another flash of pain silenced me, and I nodded weakly. She looped her arm around my waist, helping me navigate through the crowd as we made our way out of the market. I felt the heat of the afternoon sun on my skin, but my body was cold, shivering despite the tropical air. Lenore flagged down a cab, and within minutes, we were speeding back toward the hotel.

The moment we stepped into our hotel room, Lenore guided me straight to the bed. I collapsed onto it, grateful for the cool sheets beneath me, though the pain hadn't lessened. My body ached, and I could feel the cold sweat gathering on my forehead.

Lenore knelt down in front of me, brushing my hair away from my face, her eyes scanning me with concern. "You're so pale, Eden. What's going on?" Her voice was softer now, but still tinged with the worry that I knew she was trying to suppress.

I shook my head, trying to brush her off. "It's probably nothing serious," I muttered, leaning back against the pillows. "Maybe I ate something weird at the market. Or it's just... cramps or something."

Lenore didn't look convinced. She sat down beside me, her fingers tracing gentle circles on the back of my hand. "You were sick just two weeks ago. You can't be sick again, sweetheart," she said, her voice a mixture of frustration and worry. "And this... this doesn't look like nothing."

I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment, trying to will the pain away. "I'm fine, Lenore. Really. I just need to rest for a bit, and I'm sure it'll pass."

Lenore wasn't buying it, but she didn't push. Instead, she stood up, pacing the room as if trying to figure out what to do next. "You need to let me take care of you," she said finally, her voice firm.

I opened my eyes, watching her as she moved about the room, her worry evident in every motion. "I'm not that sick, I promise," I said, forcing a weak smile. "It's probably just something small. I'll be fine after some sleep."

She stopped pacing, turning to face me, her arms crossed over her chest. "You're stubborn, you know that?" she said, her tone a little lighter now, though the concern in her eyes hadn't faded.

"I've heard that before," I mumbled, trying to joke but wincing as another cramp hit me.

Lenore sighed, coming back to sit on the edge of the bed. "I'm serious, Eden. If this gets worse, I'm taking you to the hospital. I'm not risking anything."

I nodded, though I wasn't sure if I meant it. I hated the idea of ruining our trip because of something as ridiculous as stomach pain. But the look on Lenore's face, the worry etched in her features, made me agree, if only to ease her mind.

She leaned down, brushing a kiss against my forehead. "Try to rest," she whispered, pulling the blankets over me. "I'll be right here if you need anything."

I closed my eyes, trying to focus on her touch, the way her hand rested gently on my arm. The pain was still there, gnawing at my insides, but having her there, taking care of me, made it a little more bearable.

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~ R