During the funeral, a crow landed on the girl’s coffin. A second later, everyone present was STRUCK SPEECHLESS…

Her body weakened, and she slid down until she sat on the floor. Her head fell to her knees, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Hot tears streamed down her face.

Her chest tightened with pain, as if something inside was breaking. “Why did I let this happen?” she sobbed, striking the floor with her palm. “Why?” Without recalling how, she reached her bed and collapsed onto the mattress.

Her body was drained. The sheets smelled fresh, but they offered no comfort. “I love him. That’s the problem.”

Her gaze caught the ceiling lamp, but her eyes slowly closed. Exhaustion won. Morning always started the same—annoying alarm and a struggle to leave her warm bed. Emily squinted and reached for her phone to silence the blaring sound. Her fingers found the cold plastic, and the screen went dark.

She lay back, pulling the blanket to her chin. “I don’t want to get up,” she groaned into her pillow, sighing heavily. Ten more minutes passed before she forced herself to sit up.

Her hair was a mess, her eyes stung from lack of sleep. Her mind felt empty. Stumbling to the kitchen, she started the coffee maker, its gurgles filling the silence as she fried eggs and bacon.

The smell was appetizing, but the first bite brought a wave of nausea. “Oh, God,” Emily gasped, covering her mouth and rushing to the bathroom. Nausea hit harder.

She gripped the sink, eyes squeezed shut, trying to stop the dizziness. Cold water on her wrists helped briefly. “What’s wrong with me?” she thought, patting her face with a towel.

She stood at the mirror for five minutes, studying her reflection. Pale skin, dark circles under her eyes. Maybe just stress? “I should take a day off,” she mumbled, but dismissed the idea. No, days off were a luxury she couldn’t afford. Hurrying, Emily headed to work.

The office buzzed with familiar chaos. Keyboards clicked, colleagues chatted by the water cooler. Each step felt heavier.

Reaching her desk, she sank into her chair, barely keeping her balance. “Hey, you look rough. You okay?” Sarah’s voice startled her.

“I don’t know,” Emily replied weakly, leaning on the desk and grabbing a water glass. A few sips helped, but the nausea lingered.

Sarah, her friend and coworker, sat beside her, eyeing her closely. “Could you be pregnant?” she suggested bluntly, the words loud in the quiet. Emily froze.

“What?” she whispered, as if she hadn’t heard. “Morning sickness, dizziness. Have you thought about it?” Sarah squinted, probing.

“No,” Emily murmured, her voice shaking. “That’s impossible.”

“Very possible,” Sarah chuckled, tilting her head. “When was your last period?” “Sarah, stop!” Emily’s voice sharpened. Her fists clenched, tears pricking her eyes. “Sorry, I just…” Sarah bit her lip, squeezing Emily’s shoulder.

“But if it’s true, better to know now than panic later.” “It’s not,” Emily said, louder than intended. “I’m just not feeling great. Maybe a cold or blood pressure.”

Sarah nodded, but her eyes remained wary. “Okay, but if it gets worse, promise you’ll tell me.” “Promise,” Emily said flatly. The screen’s text blurred…