𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝟏𝟖 +

𝐅 𝐈 𝐅 𝐓 𝐘 - 𝐅 𝐎 𝐔 𝐑

Eden

We arrived at the restaurant a little past sunset. The warm evening air clung to us as we stepped inside, the smell of grilled meat and rich sauces enveloping me. Normally, that scent would have had my mouth watering in anticipation. But tonight, it only made my stomach churn. I was doing my best to hold it together, though the gnawing pain in my abdomen was making it hard to focus on anything other than not being sick.

Lenore looked stunning as always. She had a way of carrying herself that made her stand out, even in a crowded place like this. Her hair was pinned back, revealing her delicate neckline, and the way she smiled at me sent a pang of guilt through my chest. She was excited for a nice dinner, excited to enjoy our time together. I wished I could match her energy, but instead, I felt a wave of nausea wash over me the moment we sat down.

We were given menus, and I tried to distract myself by skimming through the options. I wasn't hungry. In fact, the thought of food made me feel worse, but I couldn't let on. Lenore was watching me closely, her eyes flicking up from her menu to check on me every few seconds. She could always tell when something was off, and I didn't want her to worry.

The waiter arrived, taking Lenore's order first. She went with her usual, a rich steak dish with roasted vegetables, and she ordered a glass of wine to pair with it. I could feel her gaze on me as the waiter turned to me expectantly. I scanned the menu again, trying to force myself to pick something substantial, something normal.

But the pain in my abdomen flared up again, sharp and unforgiving, and I knew I wouldn't be able to handle much. "I'll just have... a chicken salad," I said, my voice sounding distant, even to my own ears.

Lenore blinked, clearly caught off guard by my choice. She knew me too well. "A salad?" she asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "Since when do you willingly eat salad, Eden?"

I forced a smile, trying to act like it wasn't a big deal. "I'm just... not that hungry," I mumbled, avoiding her eyes.

Her concern was immediate. I could feel it radiating off of her as she tilted her head to the side, studying me like I was some sort of puzzle she needed to solve. "You've barely eaten all day," she said softly. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

I nodded, not trusting myself to say anything more without giving too much away. I could feel the familiar gnawing in my abdomen, the constant, dull pain that had been haunting me for days. And the nausea... it was only getting worse.

But there was something else, something more terrifying that had been lurking in the back of my mind. I hadn't said it out loud, hadn't even dared to let the thought fully form, but I had my suspicions. And if I was right, if what I thought was happening was really happening, it would shatter Lenore. I wasn't ready for that, and I didn't know how to break it to her.

The waiter disappeared, leaving us alone at the table, and Lenore leaned forward, her eyes still fixed on me. "Eden, you're pale," she said, her voice low and serious. "I'm really starting to get worried."

"I'm fine," I lied, taking a sip of water in a weak attempt to settle my stomach. "It's just... stomach pain. It'll pass."

Lenore didn't buy it. She never did. "It's been days, sweetheart," she pressed gently, her hand reaching across the table to cover mine. "You've been in pain for days, and you're barely eating. This isn't normal."

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to steady myself. She was right, of course. It wasn't normal. But I didn't know how to tell her that I suspected something far worse than just a stomach bug or food poisoning.

The truth of it all loomed over me, heavy and suffocating. I hadn't had the courage to say it out loud, not even to myself. But deep down, I knew. I knew what was happening, and the thought of it made my heart clench with fear. The kind of fear that gripped you by the throat and refused to let go.

Lenore squeezed my hand, her thumb brushing gently over my knuckles. "If it's serious, we'll figure it out together," she said softly, her eyes filled with nothing but love and concern. "But we can't ignore it."

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly tight. I didn't want to cry, not here, not now. But the weight of everything was crushing me, and the worst part was knowing that if I was right... it would break her heart.

The waiter returned with our drinks, and I pulled my hand away from Lenore's, trying to compose myself. She watched me carefully, silently, as if she could see the war raging inside me.

I picked at my salad when it arrived, barely eating more than a few bites before the nausea won out. Lenore didn't touch her food much either, her focus entirely on me. I could see the worry etched into her expression, the way her lips pressed into a thin line whenever she glanced at me.

"Eden," she said after a long silence, her voice gentle but firm. "You need to tell me what's going on. I know something's wrong."

I stared down at my plate, my stomach twisting painfully, not from the food, but from the fear. I couldn't hide it forever. I knew I had to tell her eventually. But how could I? How could I look her in the eyes and tell her that the life we'd been building together might be about to fall apart?

"I think..." I started, my voice barely above a whisper. "I think I know what's wrong."

Lenore's eyes widened slightly, but she stayed quiet, waiting for me to continue. Her patience was a double-edged sword. It made me feel safe, but it also made me feel like I was on the verge of unraveling.

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "I think it might be something serious," I admitted, my heart pounding in my chest. "But I don't... I don't want to believe it."

She didn't speak for a moment, her hand reaching for mine again. When she did, her voice was steady, full of the strength I wasn't sure I had. "Whatever it is," she said, "we'll face it together."

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. I wished I could be as strong as she was. But all I felt was fear. Fear of what might come, fear of what I might lose. And most of all, fear of breaking the woman I loved more than anything in this world.

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~ R