The Growing Belly
Alya woke up feeling a growing heaviness in her body, an odd sensation that had become more pronounced. Early in the morning, she stood in front of the small mirror in her room, observing the changes in her reflection. Her belly now appeared slightly more rounded than it had a few days ago, and morning sickness had become an unavoidable routine. The green pills Damien provided helped alleviate her fatigue, but her body still felt different.
She took a deep breath. *I need to stay focused. No one can know. I will not fail because of this.*
After tidying herself up, Alya donned her maid uniform, ensuring the extra fabric tucked under her clothing was enough to conceal her growing belly. Though her body was rebelling, she knew now was not the time to give up.
---
**A Grueling Morning**
The kitchen buzzed with early morning activity. Madam Eliza was organizing the task list for all the staff. Alya stood quietly in the corner, waiting her turn and struggling to suppress the nausea.
"Eliza!" Damien's sudden call from the kitchen doorway made everyone stand straighter. Alya bowed her head, hoping to avoid drawing attention.
"Alya, come with me," Damien ordered, causing all the maids to glance at her. Even Clara, who was stacking plates, looked curious.
Alya swallowed hard. "Yes, sir," she replied, following Damien out of the kitchen. Madam Eliza and Clara's stares felt like daggers piercing her back as she left.
In the mansion's silent corridors, Damien walked ahead with his usual confident stride. When they reached his study, he stopped and turned to her.
"You look tense and tired, Alya," he said suddenly. "Are the pills not working?"
Alya quickly shook her head. "No, sir. The pills help me feel much better."
Damien gave a faint smile and stepped closer. His large, warm hand touched her shoulder gently before moving to her abdomen. The sudden contact made Alya almost flinch, but she held her ground.
"You need to take better care of yourself," he said, withdrawing his hand. "You know I need you."
Alya nodded quietly. She wanted to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Damien didn't press further, asking her instead to organize the documents on his desk. However, the entire time she spent in the study, Alya felt like she was being observed in a way she couldn't quite understand.
---
**Back to Work**
After completing her tasks in Damien's study, Alya returned to the kitchen to resume her duties. Her reappearance immediately caught Clara's attention.
"Alya, called by Mr. Damien again, huh?" Clara teased. "What did you two talk about?"
"Just regular tasks," Alya replied tersely, trying to avoid further conversation.
Clara narrowed her eyes. "You know, you've been acting so strange lately. You're raising suspicions, you know?"
Alya forced a small smile. "There's nothing to tell, Clara. I'm just tired."
But deep down, Alya knew Clara wouldn't give up easily. The girl was always trying to pry for information, and Alya needed to be more careful.
---
**Inner Conflict**
That night, Alya sat on her bed, holding the green pill Damien had given her that morning. She stared at it with mixed feelings. The pills did make her feel stronger, but she couldn't ignore the changes happening in her body.
She placed a hand on her belly, feeling a faint movement inside. "What's really happening to me?" she whispered to herself. But she knew this wasn't the time to dwell on questions. The secret must stay hidden, no matter what.
The next day, Alya carried on with her duties as usual, despite the growing heaviness in her body. This time, Madam Eliza assigned her to clean the main dining hall for a formal luncheon with important guests.
"Make sure everything looks perfect," Eliza ordered sternly. "I don't want a single speck on the tablecloths."
"Understood, Madam," Alya replied, though her breathing was slightly labored from the persistent back pain.
As Alya wiped down the grand gold-trimmed chairs, Clara entered the dining hall carrying a stack of plates. She paused for a moment, watching Alya bent over.
"You really should take a break, Alya," Clara said suddenly. "You look like you're about to collapse."
Alya immediately straightened, hiding the pain that coursed through her back. "I'm fine."
Clara shook her head. "If you're not careful, Madam Eliza might reassign you to the kitchen for even harder work."
Alya didn't respond. She simply continued working carefully, ensuring her belly wasn't too visible as she moved. She knew Clara was looking for an excuse to get closer to her, and she couldn't let that happen.
---
**Damien's Growing Involvement**
During the luncheon, Alya was instructed to stand in the corner of the dining hall, ready to assist if needed. The guests spoke in low voices, discussing various business topics and future plans. Damien sat at the head of the table, leading the conversation with an undeniable charisma.
Midway through the meal, Damien glanced toward Alya and gestured for her to approach. Alya immediately complied, maintaining her professional demeanor.
"Bring me a glass of water," he said curtly.
"Yes, sir," Alya replied, heading to the drinks table. As she returned with the glass, a sudden movement from the fetus inside her belly disrupted her steps. She managed to steady herself and avoid spilling the drink, but Damien's sharp eyes caught her hesitation.
When Alya placed the glass on the table, Damien lightly touched her hand, startling her. "You need to be more careful," he said softly, his tone laced with hidden meaning.
"I'll be more careful, sir," Alya replied, bowing her head.
Damien gave a faint smile before returning to his conversation with the guests. Yet Alya couldn't shake the feeling that Damien's gaze held a knowledge she didn't want him to have.
---
**Life in the Mansion**
After the luncheon, Alya returned to her room for a brief rest before tackling her afternoon tasks. But before she could sit down, a knock on the door stopped her.
"Alya, it's me, Clara," came the voice from the other side.
Alya held her breath, then slowly opened the door. Clara stood there, hands on her hips, her expression filled with curiosity.
"You need to be honest with me," Clara said bluntly. "Something strange is going on with you, and I won't stop until I figure out what it is."
"I don't know what you're talking about," Alya replied quickly, trying to close the door.
But Clara held it open with her hand. "Alya, I know you're hiding something. You can trust me."
Alya bit her lip, then took a deep breath. "Clara, I appreciate your concern, but I really don't have time for this."
After a moment of hesitation, Clara finally relented and left, though her expression suggested she wasn't giving up anytime soon. Alya closed the door and leaned against it, trying to calm herself. She knew Clara was getting closer to the truth, and she had to find a way to keep her at bay before everything unraveled.
That night, Alya returned to her bed with heavy steps. The day felt like an endless test of endurance. She removed her uniform and sat on the edge of her bed, placing her hands on her growing belly.
As she gazed into the small mirror in the corner of the room, Alya realized how difficult it was becoming to keep this secret. She needed to stay strong. There was no room for weakness, especially with Clara and Madam Eliza watching her every move.
At the same time, Damien sat in his study, reading the latest report from his trusted scientist.
"The fetuses are developing faster than anticipated," the scientist reported over a video call. "The effects of the green pills are truly optimal. The fetuses are showing extraordinary growth—not just physically but also in terms of heightened neural activity."
Damien smiled faintly. "Good. Make sure everything remains under control. I want this experiment to be flawless."
"Alya may begin to feel the side effects, especially with five fetuses inside her womb," the scientist added. "The strain could worsen her condition."
"She's strong enough," Damien replied coldly. "And I'll make sure she stays that way."
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