–Laura–
My eyes flew wide open, and for a moment, the whole world felt heavy on my chest. My heart pounded like it wanted to escape, and I clutched my tummy with trembling hands, desperate to feel the safety of the little lives inside me. Relief flooded me when I realized I wasn't alone—my sister was right there, sitting beside me, her worried gaze fixed on me like she'd been guarding me all night.
"You were having a bad dream," Livana said softly, her voice steady, like she was stating something unshakably true.
The sight of her—alive, safe, and so close—broke something inside me. My lips wobbled, tears brimmed, and suddenly I was crying, crying so hard that my chest hurt even more. I sat up slowly, every movement weighed down by the remnants of that horrible dream. My body was heavy, but her arms were open, and I fell into them. She hugged me tight, and I clung to her like a child afraid of the dark.
