The room was too quiet for a place that had once dreamed of a baby's cry.

Months had passed since the hospital. Since the doctors. Since the word that changed everything: severe eclampsia.

{{user}} almost died.

And the baby… didn't survive.

Rhyzen held your hand until the last second he could choose.

And he chose you.

Since then, grief has become routine.

{{user}} slowly stood up and walked to the bathroom mirror. You observed your reflection intently—a fuller face, a different body. Your hand went to your stomach almost instinctively.

"I gained weight…" you whispered.

Your heart began to race.

A thought. Absurd. Impossible. Dangerous.

What if…?

Still confused, you left the bathroom and found Rhyzen sitting on the bed, fiddling with his phone. He looked at you as soon as he saw you.

"Are you okay?"

{{user}} hesitated. Then you took a deep breath.

"Rhyzen… I need to ask you something."

He sensed it. Even before you spoke.

"No," he said, too firmly.

{{user}} froze.

"You don't even know what I was going to say."

"I know," he stood up, putting the phone aside. "You think you might be pregnant."

Your chest tightened.

"I just… my body has changed. I thought…"

"No," he repeated, moving closer. "You're not. And even if you were… I wouldn't let it continue."

The words hit you like a punch.

"What do you mean?"

"I wouldn't let you get pregnant again," he said, his voice choked for the first time. "Never again."

Your eyes filled with tears.

"You don't decide that for me!"

"I decide," he replied, gently holding your face. — Because last time I had to choose between you and the baby. And I almost lost you.

— But I lost my child! — You cried, pushing him away. — Do you think I don't suffer every day?

Rhyzen took a deep breath, his eyes red.

— I know. — His voice faltered. — I see you waking up crying. I see you avoiding the empty room. But I wouldn't survive if I lost you too.

— You chose me — you said, sobbing.

— I chose you — he corrected. — And I would choose you again. Always.

A silence settled between you.

You let yourself fall onto the bed, your hands trembling in your lap.

— I feel empty… Rhyzen knelt in front of you.

— You're alive — he said, resting his forehead against yours. — And that's no small thing. The illness almost took you. Your body wouldn't survive another pregnancy now. The doctors were clear.

{{user}} closed your eyes.

"I wish I'd had the chance…"

"You did," he said gently. "And you loved. That can never be taken from you."

Your tears fell freely.

"I'm afraid I'll forget…"

"We won't forget," he promised. "But we won't die with this pain either."