kinda long I guess test question?

So my daughter will be 8 months old in a couple weeks. I have been breast feeding her the whole time so apart from the initial after birth bleeding I haven't gotten my period at all since she was born. I started having some paranoia that I might be pregnant again (even though I know it's possible to not get your period until after stopping breast feeding) .

so I bought one of those 88cent ones from Walmart and when I took it the dye looked like it was running but when it was the full time and more dried I didn't see the runny pink anymore. so I assumed the result negative since it was only the control line showing up. does that always happen with those or does the make it a faulty test? I'm just curious because my stomach seems to be bloating up alot even though I'm not gaining any weight. should I take another test? how do you mean own you're pregnant if you can't miss a period yet? 😭😭 please be nice or don't comment at all.