Chapter 99

Silvia I trudged down the stairs, chuckling at myself. Another day starting alone. Noah had already disappeared—probably thinking I needed extra rest. He wasn't wrong, but the empty house still got to me. Morning sunlight filtered through the kitchen blinds, casting an amber glow across the countertops. My hand automatically reached for the coffee maker, finger hovering over the power button. Then I froze. My palm drifted down to my stomach. Nothing showed yet—completely flat—but something inside me hesitated. "Shit, is coffee bad for... pups?" I whispered to no one. The thought blindsided me. A little voice from the part of me still processing everything. I scowled and dropped my hand. Why should I care? I wasn't keeping it. That decision was made. Wasn't it? "Whatever," I muttered, but switched off the coffee maker anyway. Just in case. Or maybe I just needed to feel like I had some control left. I grabbed water from the fridge instead and snagged a bruised banana from the bowl. Didn