Chapter 0409
SHARON
I sighed as I closed my laptop, done for the day. Since that terrible day and equally terrible discovery, I've worked from home, scared that someone will find out about my secret and tell Aiden. And would be the worst way for him to find out. The best and safest way now would be to come clean and assure him that we can make another baby.
But I couldn't bring myself to.
I preferred to keep this to myself for now... for now, that's what I've been saying and it's been months.
It got tougher everyday. There were times when he'd want to come with me to the hospital for my 'antenatals' and i I was a struggle convincing him each time that he didn't have to.
One night, during dinner, when he suggested that we check the gender of our baby. I choked on my food. I almost had a heart attack.
"I want to be surprised," I had ended my calm, well-thought out convincing speech that night and thankfully, he bought it. But throughout the night, I lay awake, contemplating easing myself of the constant fear and worry but in the end I decided against it. My intention had been that, hopefully, I'll conceive a few months after but in the first month, nothing happened.
From my research, at the stage of my pregnancy, my belly isn't supposed to be flat anymore and that was when I got a silicone stomach. Since then, I'd avoided sex with Aiden like a plague. I always made sure I was clothed whenever he was around.
One day, I noticed him watching me, his brows pulled down. Sweat had covered my face as I wondered why he was watching, resisting the urge to turn away from him. Finally, he asked, "Aren't you hot, Sharon? You can take off the gown, it's just you and I in here." "But I'm cold," I had told him as I rubbed my forearm.
"It must be the baby," he had said, then he stood up and got me a blanket. Then, he turned off the AC. I thought I was going to cook under the blanket that day.
I dragged myself to the bed and collapsed into it. With my gaze on the ceiling, I wondered how my life had become this. I was constantly in fear, worried that Aiden or someone else would find out that I was lying. Oftentimes, I even dreamt that the doctor said he couldn't keep my secret anymore and despite my pleas, he told Aiden the truth.
I'd wake up, disoriented, my heart squeezed tight in my chest, only to find Aiden sleeping peacefully beside me.
When my phone rang out beside me, I jerked up from where I laid.
My heart skipped a beat when I saw who the caller was.
Aiden? Why'd he call? He had already called earlier to check on me. Why is he calling again?
I took a deep breath and picked up the call. "Hello?"
"Hey, Sharon. I called to tell you that I'd be out of town so I might not be able to make it back today."
"Okay."
"I'm sorry."
"Oh no, it's okay. Really, it's fine."
And it really was fine. In fact it was perfect. I used to hate it whenever he went on these trips but now, I wished he'd go on trips outside town everyday and return home tired. "Okay. I'll see you when I get back. Take care."
"You too," I told him. Then the call ended.
I dropped my phone on the bed, a huge grin on my face.
Days like these, when he wasn't
home, were the only times I could properly breathe and take off the damned maternity gowns and silicone stomach. The damned thing wasn't as comfortable as they had
claimed.
I stood up and pulled off my fake stomach. I let out a huge sigh as I dropped it on the bed. I feel so much lighter.
Intending to make good use of the time, I headed to the jacuzzi to have a bath.
I took a deep contented breath once I finally stepped out several minutes later.
"I really needed that bath," I muttered to myself as I reached for the towel and wrapped it around my body.
I hummed a tune as I returned to the room.
Once I set my foot in, I froze to the
spot. My gaze slowly slid from the silicone stomach in the cleaner's hands to her wide eyes that
switched between my stomach andCopyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
what was in her hand.
I casually walked into the room and took it from her. I sat on the bed and looked up at her. "Why are you here? I don't remember asking you to come."
She seemed to have gotten out of her trance as she stood at attention, intentionally looking away from the silicone.
"The boss called me. He said there were some dishes he wanted me to do. So I decided to stop by to greet you and clean the room."
"Oh," I muttered. I remembered the dishes that Aiden had promised to take care of when he urged me to rest. He had rushed off to work so he must forgot to do them. "Well," I began, my eyes locking with hers. "You must tell no one."
She blinked. "What?"
I felt so ashamed. I wished I didn't have to do this. But I need to. I grabbed my phone. I felt her stare as my fingers glided across the screen.
I finally looked up at her. "I just sent five hundred dollars to your account."
Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.
"Pretend you never saw what you saw. No one must hear about it."
"Yes, ma'am. No one will hear about it."
"Good. You can leave now."
I watched as she turned to scurry out of the room.
I called after her. When she turned, told her in the meanest tone I could muster, "If Aiden ever finds out you'll be so sorry for yourself when deal with you."