—Hazel—
I was trying to mind my business. That was the plan. I just wanted water and a quiet walk back to my room. No drama. No weird moments. Just calm.
But of course, calm doesn't exist in this damn house.
I stepped out of the hallway and almost bumped right into him. Ace. Tall, tired-looking… softer than usual. He didn't flinch like he normally would, didn't throw some cold comment at me. He just… stopped and looked down at me.
"You good?" he asked.
I blinked. "Yeah. I—yeah."
He glanced at my stomach for a second, then looked back at my face. His tone was gentler than I'd ever heard it.
"When's your next checkup?" he asked.
My mouth opened, no words came out immediately. "Tomorrow."
He nodded slowly. "Remind me. I want to come."
I tilted my head. "You… want to come?"
"Yeah." He scratched the back of his neck. "I mean, if that's okay with you."