Chapter One Hundred And Fifty Five

It had been two weeks since I left the palace and settled down in the bakery with my parents and sister, Salie. Life had taken a drastic turn, and while I missed Rueben dearly, I knew that leaving was the right decision. The weight of tradition and duty had become too heavy to bear, and I needed time and space to sort through my emotions.

But lately, something unusual has been happening to me. I had been feeling nauseous in the mornings, and my appetite had changed. The thought crossed my mind that I might be pregnant, but it seemed impossible. Rueben and I had never been intimate more than once, and I couldn't fathom how it could have happened quickly.

The morning sickness persisted, and I couldn't shake off the worry that gnawed at the back of my mind. I confided in Salie, who listened attentively and offered her support.

"Naomi, it's possible that it's just a stomach bug or something you ate," Salie reassured me, her voice filled with concern. "But if you're really worried, maybe y