37. One month pregnant

Lillian woke up with a renewed sense of relief. She decided to run some errands and restock her fridge. The chilly Alaskan air nipped at her cheeks as she walked to the local grocery store, her thoughts filled with the events of the past few days and the comforting presence of her friend Mira.

Inside the store, the familiar warmth and bustle provided a small comfort as she pushed her cart down the aisles, picking up essentials and a few items. As she reached for a box of cereal, a sudden wave of dizziness hit her. She gripped the cart tightly, trying to steady herself, but the dizziness intensified. Her vision blurred, and she felt herself collapsing to the ground.

The last thing she heard before everything went black was a distant voice calling for help.

***

Lillian slowly regained consciousness, the sterile smell and beeping sounds of a hospital surrounding her. She blinked, trying to make sense of her surroundings, and saw a concerned nurse standing next to her.

"You're awake," the