Chapter 455:

Gavin looked at Elyse with concern. "You seem quite fatigued today. Lack of sleep, or stress?"

Surprised, Elyse touched her face. "Do I really look tired?"

"Yes, it's quite evident," Gavin confirmed.

Trying to smile, she said, "It's probably a poor night's sleep."

Fiona, carrying her violin, settled on the sofa, munching on snacks. She offered Elyse a bag of dried shredded squid. "Want some?"

The sight of the squid made Elyse nauseous, but she hid it. "No, thank you."

Fiona, undeterred, offered chips. "How about these? You usually love them."

"I've been off them lately," Elyse declined.

Puzzled, Fiona asked, "What's wrong? You're not eating anything."

Gavin's concern deepened. "The final's coming up. Is the pressure affecting your appetite?"

Elyse managed a strained smile. "Yeah, the anxiety's getting to me. It's my first time going into the final ranked first."

Gavin tried to lighten the mood. "Don't worry. Ten of you are competing for eight spots. You and Fiona are sure to get through."

Elyse nodded, picking up her violin to practice. However, after only half an hour, intense fatigue and hunger overwhelmed her. The urge to sleep and eat was overpowering. Feeling irrational, she scratched her ears and cheeks, confused.

Just then, Forrest entered, schoolbag on his back, ready for homework and violin practice.

Noticing Forrest, Gavin asked, "I heard you registered for the children's violin competition?"

Forrest nodded. "I'm gaining experience."

He noticed Elyse and, remembering his promise, approached her cautiously. "Are you all right?"

Elyse held her stomach. "I'm hungry, but I don't feel like eating. I want to sleep, but then I can't practice. It's difficult."

Forrest was alarmed. "I have some bread. Would you like some?"

Elyse shook her head. "I can't eat anything right now. But I'm really hungry."

Forrest, at a loss, silently wondered if pregnancy was always this challenging.

Noticing Elyse hadn't practiced for a while, Gavin approached her. "Are you okay? Is there a problem?"

He saw she was crying. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

Wiping her tears, Elyse wasn't sure why she was crying. Overwhelming hunger, the need to practice despite exhaustion—it left her feeling deeply aggrieved. Her feelings of injustice overwhelmed her. "I'm hungry, but I don't know what to eat. I'm so sad."

Gavin tried to help. "What do you want? I'll get it for you."

After a moment, Elyse said, "I want fresh cherries."

Gavin's expression changed. "Don't be unreasonable. It's not cherry season. Choose something else."

Elyse burst out, even more upset. "I want cherries! Fresh, not canned!"

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