Chapter 382

Nina

“Hey.”

Enzo’s voice caught me off guard. I had been sitting on the hotel bed, staring at nothing in particular on my phone. He must have slipped into the room at some point, but I didn’t hear the door open. I glanced up and shot him a cold look.

“What do you want?” I asked, my voice coming out a little harsher than I intended.

Enzo sighed and made his way over to me. He sat down on the edge of the bed, his hand finding mine. I stiffened, but didn’t pull away.

“Let me explain,” he said gently, his brown eyes searching mine for approval.

I almost considered telling him off again, but I knew that I couldn’t. Instead, I nodded hesitantly, allowing myself to hear him out. He took a deep breath before he spoke.

“Look,” he said, “what I meant to say earlier… it got all jumbled in translation. I meant to say that I just wished we had had more time to date each other like a young couple, that’s all. You know, go to the movies, play mini golf, go on spontaneous vacations… and lately, it just feels like life is moving so fast.”

I opened my mouth to retort, but realized that he was right. We hadn’t had a chance to do any of those things; we were too focused on staying alive. And now, we were focused on our careers and our baby, amongst a myriad of other things.

“Nina, I love our life together,” he continued, his hand never leaving mine. “I really do. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

“Promise?” I murmured.

Enzo’s eyes met mine, and he nodded. “Promise.”

I couldn’t take the distance anymore. Seeing that look in Enzo’s eyes softened me, and I found myself moving closer, wrapping my arms around his neck. He hugged me back instantly, his arms warm and strong around my body.

“We still have time, you know,” I murmured into his ear.

He nodded as he nuzzled into my neck. “You’re right. So let’s make the most of it, okay? No more arguing…”

I nodded. “Okay. No more arguing.”

…

I was tossing and turning that night, unable to sleep. Enzo’s breathing was steady beside me, but I couldn’t find the same peace. Although we had talked it out, the remnants of our argument still lingered in the back of my mind.

He had made a point, after all; we had moved awfully fast. And now, it got me wondering… how much more of our lives would fly by like this? How many years would we spend just trying to survive?

I slid out of bed, careful not to wake him, and wrapped a hotel robe around my shoulders. The room felt claustrophobic, suffocating, as if the walls were closing in on me.

I needed air, space, something to clear my head.

The hotel was quiet as I made my way through the dimly lit hallways, the plush carpet muffling my footsteps.

I reached the lobby, where the night receptionist was leaning on the counter and reading a book. She looked up when I walked in, and shot me a warm smile.

“Did you need something?” she asked.

I shook my head. “No, um… I’m just stretching my legs, trying to clear my head,” I said.

She nodded, her smile never fading. She then pointed down the hall where a set of double doors led outside. “There’s a nice garden out there. I like to go out there when I need a little fresh air.”

I followed her finger, then shot her a grateful smile. “Perfect. Thank you.”

I stepped outside into the little garden, and the cool evening air was a relief against my hot skin. There was a little bench off to the side, so I walked over and sat down. I closed my eyes for a few moments, breathing in the chilly air and listening to the sounds of the city.

And then, when I opened my eyes, I saw it.

The shadow entity, lurking at the edge of the garden. I thought it was just a trick of the light at first, but then it grinned, and its sharp white teeth glared at me through the darkness like rows of knives.

My breath hitched. I couldn’t move, couldn’t scream, couldn’t even blink. I was frozen.

And then vision seized me, unbidden and terrifying. My baby, our baby, lifeless in my arms, a future stolen before it had even begun. Tears stung my eyes, a silent scream lodged in my throat.

And then I woke up.

I shot up in bed, my heart racing, tears streaming down my face. It was a dream, just a dream. But the terror, the loss, it felt so real, so palpable, that I couldn’t shake it.

I glanced at Enzo. He was still sleeping peacefully beside me, unaware of the awful vision I had just endured. I wondered, for a moment, if I should wake him. But I ultimately decided against it.

It was just a dream, after all, right?

But what did it mean? Was it just a nightmare, the product of stress and hormones, or something more? A premonition, a warning? The shadow entity, it had been in my dreams before, but I had never had a vision like this. Never.

I wiped my tears away, my hands shaking. I had to go back out to that garden, had to see if the entity was still there. In my half-asleep and half-crazed mind, that was the most logical course of action.

Quietly, I slipped out of bed again, my movements slow and deliberate, careful not to disturb Enzo. I grabbed my robe and tiptoed out of the room, closing the door softly behind me.

The hotel hallway was just as dark, quiet, and empty as my dream. I quickly made my way to the elevator, then took it down to the lobby. There was no receptionist this time, just a sign stating to ring the bell, but I walked right past and made my way down the hall toward the door that led to the garden.

And there it was. I pushed through the double doors, the chilly night air biting against my skin, and took in the sounds of the city. The air smelled faintly of cigarettes, a lingering scent from someone else utilizing this garden.

But there was no shadow entity. Just a few potted plants, a couple of benches, and a fence all the way around.

I let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding and sank down onto the bench, onto the very same spot I sat in my dream.

It didn’t make sense. I hadn’t been out here before, and yet the dream was so vivid, so perfect. Was it possible that it wasn’t just a dream? No… I shook my head to dispel the thoughts. I must have seen this garden at some point, maybe from the hotel windows. That was it.

It was a dream. It had to be. Just a dream, and nothing more.

Because I wouldn’t let myself believe that my baby could really be in danger. I couldn’t.

As I slipped back into bed, Enzo stirred, his arm instinctively reaching out for me. I snuggled against him, burying my face in his chest, seeking comfort in his embrace.

“You okay?” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

I nodded against him, my own voice barely a whisper. “Just stretched my legs. Couldn’t sleep. But I’m fine now.”

He kissed the top of my head, his arms tightening around me. “M’kay. I’m here if you need me.”

I closed my eyes, letting his warmth and his presence soothe the horrible images inside my head.

And as I willed myself to sleep, I pushed those images away.

Because it was just a dream. Just a dream…