Allowing closeness.
Then he straightened and stepped back.
He paused at the door.
Turned.
And signed one more thing.
“Sorry, Elena.”
The words confused me.
“For what?”
He hesitated.
“Because you’re not okay.”
My throat tightened instantly.
This child.
He blamed himself for things that weren’t his responsibility.
I pushed myself up slightly.
“Yannis.”
I signed carefully. “You don’t apologize for my body feeling sick.”
His gaze softened.
I continued: “This isn’t your fault.”
He nodded slowly — absorbing it.
Then I signed again: “Thank you.”
He gave me a small nod.
Then quietly closed the door behind him — giving me the space I asked for.
The room fell silent.
And once alone again —
My hand drifted slowly to my abdomen.
Not consciously. Not intentionally.
Just instinct.
My fingers rested lightly against my stomach.
My breath slowed.
Fear. Shock. And possibility collided inside my chest.
