Chapter 136. Beneath the Surface

Athena

“Sebastian…” My voice trembled as I looked into his eyes, desperation and fear etched on my face. “The baby…”

“I know, my love,” he whispered, his voice filled with understanding, his hand soothingly rubbing my back. “I have already noticed.”

“We won’t have much time this way,” I said, my voice choking with tears as I buried my face into his chest, trying to suppress my sob, “I thought I could be strong in this battle. I thought I could face the challenges with courage. But losing three, or maybe even more, months… It’s breaking me. How can I stay strong? How can I protect our baby? If they enter this world prematurely, as we fear, they will face so many difficulties. They will be an outcast and have to rely on their own.”

I could not stay strong this way…

The worry gnawed at me from within.

“Nothing will happen, my love. Even if time is against us, I will do everything to protect you,” he said, cupping my face in his hands. “I won’t