My Unborn Heroes

Cold sweat instantly soaked through my nightgown.

I, Anna Everton, stood frozen at the bathroom door. I was too terrified to move.

My stomach was in knots and my brain was on sensory overload. Honestly, it was a toss-up which one was worse.

The calm voice from inside my belly came again. He sounded wise beyond his years. I named him Caleb. 'Mommy, don't be scared. He's probably listening in from the study right now. He's judging your condition based on how often you're throwing up. Hurry up and act as weak and fragile as you're supposed to.'

The other voice, which belonged to Lily, quickly added, 'That's right! Cry, but don't sob too loudly. You need to sound soft and pitiful. That's the kind of thing that makes him worry about you!'

I took a deep breath, leaned against the wall, and slowly made my way back to the bed.

My palm rested against the cold wooden nightstand. My fingertips brushed lightly over the hidden seam.

There was a listening device in there. Sean Freeman had been secretly listening to me.

I curled up under the blanket, buried my face into the pillow, and let soft, broken sobs escape.

This time, I didn't need to pretend. The fear and panic were real.

I was Sean's disposable kept woman. I had always known that.

'Mommy, stop thinking. He's coming back,' Caleb warned.

'Act! Mommy! Show him that you're a delicate woman who can break at any moment!' Lily cheered me on.

I immediately pulled myself together. I forced the tears to gather in my eyes and let them linger without falling.

The bedroom door opened. Sean's tall figure appeared against the light.

The coldness from outside still clung to him as his deep gaze landed on me.

"What happened?" His voice held no warmth.

I looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. My lips trembled slightly. I didn't say anything. I simply reached out and gently grabbed the hem of his shirt.

It was a move I had practiced thousands of times.

He always fell for this.

Sure enough, his Adam's apple bobbed up and down. He leaned forward and pulled me into his arms.

He lifted my chin and forced me to look at him.

"Who upset you?"

I merely shook my head. A single tear fell at exactly the right moment. It landed on the back of his hand.

It was warm.

His gaze darkened, and he held me even tighter.

"Alright. Don't cry." His rare gentle tone only sent a chill down my spine.

"Kayla is coming tomorrow."

Kayla Larson was his treasured first love.

The next day, Kayla arrived right on time.

She had on a white Chanel suit. She looked very elegant, but her pale complexion made her appear somewhat fragile.

Meanwhile, I had on the white dress Sean loved, and I was barefoot. I looked clueless, like I'd never seen the world.

"Ms. Everton, congratulations." Kayla smiled as she handed me an exquisitely wrapped gift box.

"Sean told me you're expecting. This is just a little something from me."

I didn't take it.

Sean sat across from me and held his coffee. His eyes stayed fixed on me. It was almost as if he was watching an entertaining performance.

Inside my stomach, Lily was already furious. 'Mommy! It's an antique baby outfit! She's deliberately giving us something a dead person wore to curse us!'

Caleb's voice followed. 'Don't panic. She wants to provoke you and make you lose control in front of Sean. Mommy, act scared and ignorant.'