Chapter 28: Preparing for More Than Just a Baby

*Eason*

The joy that had once surrounded Lena’s pregnancy like a warm blanket was quickly suffocating us both, replaced by an anxiety that weighed on every moment of our days. Four months in and I could barely remember what life had been like before the worry took over.

Lena had been moping around for the past few days—no, longer. It was hard to say when her vibrant, lively self had begun to fade. Now, she spent most of her time curled on the couch, her blue eyes vacant and distant, her once glossy brown hair tied up in a careless bun.

She was terrified, and I couldn’t blame her.

Her biggest fear was that what she carried in her belly wasn’t human. The thought had crossed my mind, too, but I tried not to dwell on it. I had to be strong for her, even if my heart raced with the same unspoken fear every time I caught her hand trembling or saw that flash of yellow in her eyes when she got frustrated.