CHAPTER 25: THE WALL BETWEEN THEM

Shirley woke slowly, her eyes feeling sore and heavy. The light streaming through her bedroom window struck her face, causing her to wince as she felt a numbing pain in her stomach and a surprising emptiness. Amandla. She quickly sat up and placed her palms on her belly, sighing in relief when she felt a barely noticeable fullness. "Thank goodness," she muttered as she laid back down and closed her eyes. The sweet oblivion she sought remained elusive, and her mind wandered despite her desire for peace. Questions swirled in her thoughts, such as where her husband was and how she had returned home. The last thing she remembered was his anxious whispers, assuring her that the pain would soon pass as he held her. A sudden knock startled her, followed by the sound of the door being pushed open. Nyx walked in, hurling a bucket of water toward the bathroom. "Milady?" Nyx's soft voice broke the silence as she looked up, dropping the bucket and rushing toward Shirley. "Oh, this is most wo