{"id":28878,"date":"2026-03-24T22:30:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-24T22:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=28878"},"modified":"2026-03-24T22:30:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T22:30:42","slug":"28878","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readmore.cx\/?p=28878","title":{"rendered":""},"content":{"rendered":"
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The community pool was an oasis of blue in the oppressive, shimmering heat of a late July afternoon. The air hung thick, smelling sharply of chlorine and melting asphalt. I sat on a white plastic lounge chair, the heavy, swollen weight of my eight-month pregnancy pressing down like a sandbag against my pelvis. I leaned back, closing my eyes, and rubbed my aching, puffy ankles.<\/p>\n

For a moment, I let myself feel a profound, quiet contentment. My phone buzzed on the small table beside me. It was a text from Derek, my husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cStuck at the office again, babe. Trying to bill these extra hours so we can finish the baby\u2019s nursery before he gets here. I love you. So much.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The community pool was an oasis of blue in the oppressive, shimmering heat of a late July afternoon. The air hung thick, smelling sharply of chlorine and melting asphalt. I sat on a white plastic lounge chair, the heavy, swollen weight of my eight-month pregnancy pressing down like a sandbag against my pelvis. I leaned…<\/p>\n

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