"In your dreams!"

Leonel remained unruffled, enfolding her and tenderly caressing her lower abdomen.

The gentle embrace served as a connection across the years of their separation.

In moments like these, neither desired to utter anything that might sour the atmosphere.

Alexis shut her eyes, resolving to savor the moment a bit longer.

In the early hours of the morning, Leonel was jolted awake by a kick.

As consciousness returned, a painful throb pulsed through his scalp.

Gripping a fistful of his hair, Alexis demanded, “It hurts! Take me to the hospital!"

Were it not for their recent intimacy, he might have mistaken her distress for contractions, assuming she sought assistance for childbirth.

Leonel rose and donned a shirt.

He also assisted Alexis in getting dressed. While doing so, he noticed a small pool of dark blood beneath her. Did she just get her period or something?

A weightiness settled in Leonel's gaze.

Alexis once again tugged at his dark hair, lamenting, “It's excruciating!"

The pain compelled her to lean feebly against his shoulder, an embodiment of fragility.

Leonel dared not procrastinate. He proceeded to the cloakroom, fetching clean panties for her, affixing a sanitary pad, and draping a coat over her. Without bothering to attire himself further, he queried, “Is the pain severe?"

Stripped of her usual arrogance, Alexis nodded faintly.

“Yes, it hurts a lot.”

Cradling her in his arms, Leonel descended the stairs. Before long, he settled her into the car, reassuring her, “We'll reach the hospital shortly."

Alexis was afflicted with a blood clotting disorder from birth.

Was her discomfort during her menstrual cycle a perpetual ordeal?