His name was Nathaniel

100

Violet hadn't planned on visiting Adaliya today. In fact, the only reason she even found out something was wrong was because Nathaniel had mentioned it offhandedly in a text.

"Has Adaliya said anything to you about feeling sick? She insists she's fine, but I don't buy it."

Violet read the message twice before deciding she needed answers for herself.

That was how she ended up standing outside Adaliya's flat, knocking twice before letting herself in. "Okay, I know you're about to yell at me for showing up uninvited, but in my defense, I had to make sure you're still alive."

Adaliya, curled up on her couch in an oversized hoodie, barely lifted her head. "I told you, I'm fine."

"Mhm." Violet narrowed her eyes as she took in Adaliya's pale complexion, the way she held herself like even sitting up took effort. "You look fine."

Adaliya sighed, stretching. "I just caught something. Probably from work."

Violet didn't believe that for a second, but she didn't push it—yet. Instead, she kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable. "Alright, if you're fine, let's hang out. No reason to waste the day."

For a while, they did just that. Talking, watching random videos, and Violet keeping things lighthearted with unnecessary gossip.

Then, out of nowhere, Adaliya bolted up from the couch and rushed toward the bathroom.

The sound of retching followed a second later.

Violet froze.

Nathaniel had called a few minutes ago, and his voice was still coming through from where Adaliya had left her phone on the table. Without thinking, Violet picked it up.

"Nate?"

There was a pause. "Violet?"

"Yeah, hi," she said, shifting uncomfortably as more sounds of sickness echoed from the bathroom. "So, uh... Adaliya just ran off to throw up."

Nathaniel's voice immediately sharpened. "What? What do you mean? She was just saying it's nothing."

"Yeah, well, she lied." Violet glanced toward the bathroom, lowering her voice. "She's been looking rough, too. Pale, tired. Not eating much."

There was silence on Nathaniel's end. Then, calmly but firmly, he asked, "How long has this been going on?"

Violet frowned. "I don't know exactly. But she's been feeling off for a while."

Nathaniel exhaled slowly. "Fever?"

"Nope."

"Body aches?"

"Not that I know of."

"Dizziness?"

Violet hesitated. "Actually, yeah, she did mention feeling lightheaded the other day."

Another pause.

Then, Nathaniel's voice dropped into something almost calculating. "Has she taken a pregnancy test?"

Violet's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. She turned toward the bathroom, where the sound of water running meant Adaliya was finishing up. "Uh—no. I don't think so."

Nathaniel let out a long sigh. "Violet, put me on speaker."

Violet hesitated, but then Adaliya stepped out, meeting her gaze. She looked exhausted, but the moment she noticed the phone in Violet's hand, her expression hardened. She shook her head.

She didn't want to talk to him.

Violet pressed her lips together before speaking into the phone. "She, uh... she doesn't want to talk right now."

Silence.

Then, Nathaniel's voice came through again, firm but not angry. "Alright. Then tell her this—if she doesn't go see a doctor, I will fly over and take her there myself."

Violet smirked despite herself. "Wow. Possessive much?"

Nathaniel ignored her. "Just tell her."

Violet met Adaliya's wary gaze before sighing. "Nate says that if you don't go see a doctor, he's getting on a plane."

Adaliya groaned, rubbing her temples. "He's being dramatic."

"I mean, he's not wrong." Violet tilted her head. "You should go."

Adaliya still didn't answer.

Violet sighed, hanging up the call. She reached into her bag and pulled out a small box, tossing it onto Adaliya's lap.

A pregnancy test.

Adaliya stared at it.

"You don't have to take it," Violet said casually. "But, you know. Just in case."

Adaliya stayed silent for a long moment before reluctantly picking up the box. She didn't take the test immediately—but she didn't throw it away either.

That was enough for now.