Evelyn walked slowly as her steps carried her away from the square and back toward the quiet stone path that led to the convent. The peaches weighed lightly in her hands, but her thoughts felt unbearably heavy, pressing against her chest until breathing itself became an effort.
Pregnant. The word repeated in her mind again and again, then echoed louder with every step she took.
She shook her head as if she could dislodge it. 'No. It’s too soon. I’m just tired. I’ve been through too much.' But her body betrayed her arguments, lining them up one by one like evidence she could no longer ignore.
The dizziness that came without warning when she stood too fast, when the children laughed too loudly around her.
The nausea that curled in her stomach at odd hours, not strong enough to make her s
