CHAPTER 11: NO ONE IS COMING TO SAVE ME.

VALERIA

I sauntered down the street, heading to the abandoned salt mine beneath Emberthorn in an attempt to stay away from all my problems. The heat emanating from the pavement was scorching causing me to wipe my sweaty brow as I tried not to gag at the stench of rotting garbage on the sidewalks. The walls were peeling, and weeds had taken over every crack in sight. As I stepped over shattered glass, a pungent odour of mildew, mould and urine filled my nostrils.

As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, my stomach began swelling uncontrollably. Initially, I wrapped materials tightly around my belly for fear of being noticed by Emilia but now there's nothing I can do about it.

It can't be avoided, so I decided to go open.

I slumped myself onto an abandoned chair with my swollen belly gently pressing against my lap while exhaustion caused me to close my eyelids, my chin sank on my chest as I let out a deep sigh.

Serving Nickolas and Emilia was a