Anathea hadn’t expected Gregory to come upstairs so soon. She quickly folded the petition and tucked it into a book. Moments later, Gregory was already behind her. He asked with mild curiosity, “Why’d you put it away so fast?”
“It’s just a diary. I finished writing, so I put it away,” Anathea replied calmly.
“A diary?” Gregory raised an eyebrow. “Since when do you keep a diary, Annie?”
“I always have. You just never noticed,” she said, turning her face to the side.
Gregory didn’t reply right away. He watched her carefully. She tried to appear composed, but he noticed the subtle tells. Anathea had never been a good liar. Whenever she got nervous, her ears would turn red.
Somehow, that flustered look made her seem even more endearing
He reached toward the book. But before he could touch it, Anathea quickly pressed down on his hand.
Her ears flushed a deeper red. “Reading someone’s diary isn’t exactly polite, is it?”
Gregory paused. Seeing the defensiveness in her eyes, something flickered in his expression. But he let it go.
He retracted his hand, and Anathea took the chance to slide the book into the drawer.
“Dinner’s ready. Let’s go eat,” Gregory said.
Anathea nodded.
Lately, though, she hadn’t had much of an appetite. Bella had prepared something light for her, but the moment the scent hit her nose, her stomach turned.
Clutching her mouth, she rushed to the sink and threw up the moment she got there.
“Mom!” Xander cried out in panic.
Seeing her pale face, he was suddenly reminded of a similar moment long ago. Anathea had thrown up just as badly and had been rushed to the hospital.
Back then, he’d felt nothing and done nothing. But this time, worry filled him. He hurried over to Anathea’s side.
“Mom, are you okay?”
Anathea nodded her head weakly. “I’m fine…” But before she could finish, she retched again.
Gregory had followed her the moment she stood. Now he stood beside her, rubbing her back to help her breathe easier. His expression turned dark with concern.
He instructed Cyrus, “Call the doctor.”
“No.” Anathea grabbed his sleeve. “I feel much better now.”
“But…” Gregory was still worried. But when he met Anathea’s hesitant gaze, he pressed his lips together.
He knew that Anathea didn’t want anyone to know she was pregnant. She was afraid Eleanor would try to take this child away, just like she had with Xander.
What he really wanted to say was that this time he would protect the child and never let Eleanor take them away. As long as he set his mind to it, he would make it happen.
But he knew Anathea didn’t trust him that much right now. So instead, he simply instructed Cyrus to bring a glass of water so
she could rinse her mouth.
“Thank you.” Anathea breathed a sigh of relief, took the glass, and rinsed her mouth clean.
+25 BONUS
She probably hadn’t felt sick because it was still too early, but now the symptoms were finally starting to appear. Compared to when she was pregnant with Xander, though, this was still much easier.
Xander saw Anathea looking unwell and quickly grabbed an orange to hand to her. “Mom, maybe sniffing this will make you feel better.”
Anathea looked at his worried eyes and gently stroked his hair. “Thank you, Xander. I do feel better.”
She took the orange and breathed in the citrus scent. It really did help a little.
“Do you think you can still eat?” Gregory asked.
As he looked at her slender frame, he couldn’t help but feel worried. He immediately instructed Bella to make something else.
“No need. A bowl of oatmeal will do.” Anathea didn’t really have an appetite, but for the baby’s sake, she forced herself to eat a small bowl of oatmeal.
She barely touched her food, and Gregory didn’t eat much either. He was too preoccupied watching over her.
The moment she set her spoon down, he stood and gently helped her up, guiding her to the bedroom so she could lie down and
rest.
