Andrei woke to the faint sound of Cristine humming in the kitchen. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, and sunlight streamed through the large windows of their shared space. He stretched, feeling a strange calm settle over him. The stress of his family and Catalina's schemes still weighed on his shoulders, but the sight of Cristine always reminded him of what mattered most.
He got out of bed, pulled on a shirt, and walked into the kitchen. Cristine stood by the counter, a soft glow about her as she sipped tea. Her baby bump was more prominent now, a visible reminder of the new life they were preparing for.
"Good morning," Andrei said, his voice still thick with sleep.
Cristine turned, her face lighting up. "Morning. I thought you'd sleep longer—you've been so busy lately.
