SLEEPING NEXT TO A STRANGER のすべてのチャプター: チャプター 91 - チャプター 100

DREW POVWarm golden sunlight poured into the bed the next morning and gently wakened me. I blinked slowly while I reached across the bed searching instinctively for her warmth.But the sheets were cool. She wasn’t there. I sat up, rubbing my eyes. I looked toward the door which was half open and whispered to myself “She’s already awake.” “Early again.” I brushed my fingers through my hair while my body settled into the quiet morning atmosphere. There was no panic, no suspicion anymore. Not like in those first few days. I no longer paid attention to her minor changes such as her towel-folding method, her tea stirring instead of coffee, and the way she spoke my name with newfound gentleness.The accident was the explanation for all that I observed.The trauma. The memory gaps. The healing. After I embraced that truth something inside me found relief.I had her back. I had them back—Laurel, Morel, our home. The situation wasn't flawless but it held enough authenticity. At times the

Nina’s POV The kitchen smelled warm with the cooking of dinner. Nothing too fancy, but something that would make everyone feel full. I’d done everything just right: Morel’s vegetables, Drew’s steak, and Lilian’s cake. I hoped that perhaps it would settle things. We had been quiet all day, all because of Drew, and him being so distant in his own head. Morel chuckled at his mashed potatoes. Drew savored his steak and Lily looked as usual with a quiet look in her eyes. But she didn’t say much. There was something heavy around us, but we weren’t talking about it, really. Then, as I went to cut into my own food, there was a knock, knock from the front door. I froze. The silence broke. Drew didn’t hear it, either. He was so deep in his thoughts and didn’t see his steak as he ate it. I heard the tension rise. I directed my gaze first at him then at the door. “Take a look,” I said, trying not to reveal my nervousness with my normal voice yet my voice came out shaky. Drew didn’t even l

NINAThe dam inside me broke as soon as the call with Audrey ended. Raw emotion hit me with incredible force as a tidal wave crashed over me. I entered the bathroom in a staggered state where the cool tiles failed to provide comfort against the unexpected heart freeze. Each sob ripped through my throat as its sound bounced off the flawless porcelain walls.I deeply wished I had listened to your advice, Dad! The words pushed out of my throat while each one pierced my heart with pain. Since that day I've carried the regret with me as a persistent pain lodged deep in my chest. I had always felt remorse over ignoring his advice and now it felt like an open, infected sore."Laurel! Laurel!" My mother-in-law Lilian's voice cut through my pain. The sound of Lilian’s voice acted as a brutal reminder that forced me to confront the present moment and the false front I needed to uphold.I expelled a deep, trembling breath marked by a "Hmmph" sound while I worked to regain my composure. My finge

LILIAN POV I experienced a surge of relief combined with deep concerns that swept across my consciousness. As I whispered "Thank you, my dear" my hands instinctively moved to lift her. "We'll be quick." I helped her reach the small bathroom by both carrying and supporting her at once. The small window remained open but the air inside the room felt oppressively hot. Her skin felt scorching as I carefully lifted her sweat-soaked garments from her body. I submerged a spotless cloth into the chilly water held in the bucket before starting to sponge her down beginning at her forehead. "Such intense heat," Laurel complained while her skin continued to emit warmth during my gentle cleansing. I approached her chest to cleanse the area beneath her breasts where the cool cloth met her feverish skin. My hand descended further until it rested on her stomach. I stroked her skin with my fingers searching for the distinct scar left from her C-section during Morel's birth. But there was nothing.

NINA. I forced a little nervous laugh. “I… I guess this time it’s worse. I feel woozy just thinking about it.” She didn’t look convinced. “Tell me what you need right now Laurel?” she questioned me. “You have to be strong, dear. We can’t ignore real symptoms.” I told the doctor that tablets would be sufficient for my treatment. “Nothing invasive. Rest will help me along with medication to handle stress and I will recover. The doctor hesitated. From a medical standpoint this situation is less than ideal since we still need to confirm your vital signs and review your medical charts. But…” His eyes moved quickly from Lillian to my direction. He reached for his pen and said slowly, “If she insists we will begin with light sedatives and vitamins.” Should her condition remain unchanged after a week I will suggest tests. I nodded quickly. “Thank you. That sounds perfect.” He wrote on the notepad before tearing out the prescription and giving it to Lillian. She must take one do