He Remembered Her

In the quiet of the night, Jared was pulled from his sleep by the soft chime of his phone. The sound was unmistakable—a special notification tone he had set specifically for Arthur. As his mind shook off the haze of sleep, he frowned, his instincts alert. Arthur rarely reached out at this hour, and if he did, it was never without reason.

Jared immediately turned his attention to Jerica, her presence beside him grounding him even as unease started to creep in. Her face was peaceful, softened by the warm glow of moonlight spilling through the curtains. She was deeply asleep, her breathing steady and rhythmic, and for that, he was grateful. Pregnancy had taken a toll on her energy, leaving her exhausted most days.