Chapter: 2179

Aimee, taken aback, found herself momentarily speechless. The reply was unexpected, disarming.

After a beat, Averie reached into her bag, her movements smooth and practiced, and produced a sanitary pad, holding it out to her.

Taking the pad, Aimee allowed her gaze to drift once more to Averie's midsection, then quickly away, her cheeks coloring slightly with embarrassment or perhaps confusion. She took a deep breath, her lips curling into a tentative smile as she said, "Thank you."

Averie merely returned the smile. She seemed unfazed by the undercurrents of the conversation, or perhaps she chose to ignore them.

As Aimee held the pad in her hand, she allowed herself a small sigh, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. Maybe, she considered, her worries were unfounded after all.