Zoe's P.O.V.

After a Week

"Shit! My cramps." I emerge from the bathroom after putting on a sanitary pad, my hand on my belly and my face contorted with pain. The pain of period cramps is one of the worst things in the world.

I shuffle over to the couch and curl up in a ball, trying to find a comfortable position. The heating pad I've been using isn't helping much today, and I just want the pain to go away.

As Sky enters the room, his brows furrow in worry at seeing my state. He rushes to me, asking, "Trouble, are you alright?" His eyes filled with concern are fixed on me.

I let out a small groan, shaking my head. "These period cramps will kill me one day."

"Hey, don't say that. You'll be fine," he reassures me, bending down and caressing my hair.

"How? Oh God..." I cry out, shutting my eyes.

"Zoe, relax. I know a way. I'll be right back." He dashes out of the room. I sit up, holding my stomach, praying for this pain to go away.

A few minutes later, he returns with a cup. "Here's some herbal tea. I'm sure it'll help you a bit." He hands me the cup.

"How do you know?" I ask, surprised that he knows about it.

He gives me a small smile, sitting down beside me. "I did some research this morning when I found out you were in your period. I wanted to make sure I could help you as much as possible when you're in pain."

As I take the cup from him, tears well up in my eyes. "Thank you."

As a tear drops down my cheek, he wipes it away immediately. "Please don't cry."

"You're making me emotional with your affection." I hiccup. "It's your fault."

He chuckles. "Now drink it before it gets cold." He gestures to the cup of tea.

Smiling at him, I take a sip. I can't believe I'm smiling despite my period cramps. But the credit goes to my love, my Sky.

Sky watches me with a hopeful expression as I drink the tea, feeling a little relief. "Does it help?"

I nod. "A bit. You know, you're the best man in the world, and I'm lucky to have you."

"Trouble, I hate seeing you in pain. We've been friends for so many years; why didn't you ever tell me you feel this way every month?"

I shrug, leaning back on the couch. "I guess I didn't want to bother you. It just seemed like something I had to deal with on my own."

Sky shakes his head, looking at me with warmth. "You never have to go through anything alone, Zoe. I'm here for you, always. Whether it's cramps, bad days, or anything else."

Listening to his words, I feel a sudden urge to share my fear with him. The fear that if anybody gets close to me, I lose them. This fear has kept me from opening up completely, even with Sky. However, I still can't bring myself to burden him with that right now, so I stay silent.

Instead, I take another sip of the tea, letting the warmth soothe me. After a few minutes of silence, a craving hits me. "You know what would make this day better? My favourite ice cream."

Sky chuckles. "Ice cream, huh? I'll get it for you."

He kisses my forehead and heads to the kitchen. I lean back, licking my lips, imagining the delicious ice cream.

But a minute later, he comes back with a slightly worried expression. "I'm really sorry, Zoe, but it looks like we're out of your favourite ice cream."

My face falls in disappointment. "Oh, that's okay," I say, trying to hide my disappointment, but Sky knows me too well.

"Don't worry. I'll run to the store and get it for you. You just stay here and relax." He kisses my forehead and grabs the keys from the drawer.

I blink at him, surprised. "You don't have to do that. It's just ice cream."

He shakes his head. "No, you deserve to have something that makes you feel better. I'll be back in no time."

Before I can argue, he's already heading out the door. Watching him go, I smile. Even when things are tough, Sky always finds a way to make everything better. I feel so fortunate to have him.

***

I constantly call Sky, but he isn't answering. It's been an hour, and Sky still hasn't arrived. My cramps are forgotten because right now, I can't think about anything except Sky.

My heart pounds with worry, and I tell myself that maybe he got caught up in traffic or decided to pick up something else along with the ice cream. But I'm growing increasingly anxious for him and praying constantly that he's okay.

"Thank God!" Finally, my phone rings, and I sigh with relief when I see Sky's name on the caller ID.

I quickly answer the call, "Sky, where the hell—"

"Hello," I halt, listening to an unfamiliar voice on the other end.

"Who is this? Why do you have Sky's phone?" I question, my brows narrowing in confusion, my heart racing.

"This is Officer Harris. There's been an accident. Sky was involved in a car crash, and his condition is critical. He's being taken to Jacobi Hospital right now."

The phone slips from my hand and hits the floor with a thud. My vision blurs with tears, and I can't breathe, feeling as if someone has squeezed my lungs. My worst fear is coming true. The fear I've tried to bury, the fear that anyone I get close to will be taken away from me.

No! Almighty can't take my Sky from me. He can't be that cruel.

Tears constantly roll down my cheeks as I stand frozen in shock. I just can't bear to lose Sky. I can't bear to lose one more person who is close to me. No matter what, I won't let anything happen to him.