The car sped along the highway. Mark drove with his usual intense focus, shooting occasional, unreadable glances her way. Lena stared out the window at the blurred, snow-covered fields. The winter had been harsh, blanketing the world in a thick layer of white. Despite the car’s heater, a chill seemed to seep into her bones. A sharp kick from within made her smile.

“Mark, I think he’s especially active today,” she said, gently stroking her stomach.

Mark grunted something unintelligible, his eyes fixed on the road. He was always like this—a little distant, lost in his own world. Lena usually attributed it to the stress of his engineering job, a demanding and nerve-wracking profession