CHAPTER EIGHTY TWO: DESPAIR

Sarah sat at her kitchen table, staring at the untouched bowl of oatmeal in front of her. The smell of it made her stomach churn, a familiar wave of nausea washing over her. She took a deep breath, trying to will the queasiness away. It was just one of the many symptoms that had been plaguing her since she found out she was pregnant. The first trimester was proving to be more challenging than she had anticipated. Morning sickness, which, ironically, lasted all day, had become a constant companion. She found herself exhausted, despite getting plenty of sleep, and even the simplest tasks seemed monumental. One morning, Sarah dragged herself out of bed, feeling the now-familiar wave of nausea hit her as soon as she stood up. She made her way to the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face in an attempt to shake off the lingering fatigue. It was a losing battle. Looking at her reflection, she noticed the dark circles under her eyes and the pallor of her skin. She had always been stron